Lifespan Respite Care Act
Categories: Family Support
On December 21, 2006, President George W. Bush signed the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-442) to assist family caregivers of children and adults with special needs in accessing affordable and high-quality respite care. Specifically, the law authorizes:
- Lifespan respite programs at the state and local levels,
- Planned and emergency respite for family caregivers,
- Training/recruitment of respite workers and volunteers,
- Provision of information to caregivers about respite/support services,
- Assistance for caregivers in gaining access to such services, and
- Establishment of a National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care
As of 2016, competitive grants of up to $200,000 each were awarded to eligible agencies in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Eligible state agencies are those administering the state’s program under the Older Americans Act of 1965 or under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid), or are designated by the Governor to administer the state’s program. The eligible state agency must be an Aging and Disability Resource Center and work in collaboration with a public or private non-profit statewide respite care coalition or organization.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL) Center for Integrated Programs (CIP) administers the grant program.
