Adoption Respite

Respite care provides adoptive parents with a break from the constant demands of caring for their special needs adopted child (children). It may be used for planned activities or emergency situations. It is not to be used for regular daycare.

Adoption Respite is a service available to adoptive families for children who are adopted with a future needs agreement, an adoption subsidy, or have a subsidized guardianship through the State of Iowa. Each eligible child can receive up to 10 days of respite service per fiscal year at $20 per day. Subsidized adoptive families living out-of-state are still eligible for adoption respite.

How is Respite Accessed? What is the time frame?

• Each child is eligible for 10 days per fiscal year. The current fiscal year runs from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
• When respite is needed, the adoptive parent selects their own respite provider (see respite ideas listed below), and makes necessary arrangements. To receive payment, provider must be an adult (age 18 or older).
• Payment will be sent to the provider after the respite form has been submitted, form must be submitted within 60 days after care was provided.
• Payments to providers for this program are contingent upon continued Adoption Respite Program funding from HHS.

Click Here for the Adoption Respite Form - FY 2026

Must be submitted to Four Oaks by July 7, 2026

It is the adoptive parents' choice who they use as their adoption respite provider.
(REMEMBER - to receive payment, provider must be age 18 or older).

Below is a list of people you might consider caring for your child(ren):

• Your grown children (even if they still live in your home they can provide you respite)
• Extended family members (grandparents, aunts & uncles, etc.)
• Friends (including family friends and your child's friends' parents)
• Neighbors
• Church members
• Child care providers
• Educators (teachers, aides and other school personnel)
• Coaches/Instructors (other other people who know your child through extra curricular activities)
• Foster/adoptive parents (parents you have met at support groups and training classes)
• College students

You may contact both the Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (IFAPA) and your adoption worker who handles your adoption subsidy case, for more information.