How to Get Started
Not sure where to begin? Here are some simple steps to help you get connected.
Is your child enrolled in OhioRISE?
Yes
Talk to your Care Coordinator — they can connect you with respite services.
No
Respite is a covered service for youth enrolled in OhioRISE. The CANS assessment, or Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment, determines a youth’s eligibility for OhioRISE. Talk to your managed care plan to request a CANS assessment to explore eligibility.
Families without Medicaid may still access respite through private payment, grants, or local community programs. Local Families and Children First Councils may also be able to connect you with support.
During respite, youth may
engage in activities like:
- Daily Living & Self-Care: Building independence and confidence in everyday personal routines.
- Social & Emotional Skills: Practicing how to recognize and manage emotions, and interact positively with others.
- Recreational & Leisure: Fun, structured activities that encourage creativity, engagement, and physical well-being.
- Community Integration: Supervised outings that help your child practice life skills and build comfort in public and social settings.
- Skill-Building: Activities that reinforce your child’s treatment goals and support growth between formal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Is Behavioral Health Respite?
A: Behavioral/health respite is short-term, temporary care for a young person with significant behavioral health needs, provided by trained professionals. It gives the primary caregiver a meaningful break while their child engages in supportive, skill-building experiences with a trusted provider.
Behavioral/health respite is designed to complement, not replace, the care families already provide. It is not childcare or babysitting, and it works best not as a standalone fix, but as one meaningful piece of a broader, coordinated care plan built around the unique needs of each child and family.
Q: What Can Respite Look Like for My Family?
A: Youth will be actively involved in planning their own respite—their interests and preferences are important. This support works alongside the youth’s broader care, as one piece of the bigger picture. You and your family’s voice and experiences will be valued and respected at every step of the way.
