This service pays for a person to receive support from other caregivers when their regular caregiver is not available or needs a break.

Community Respite must be provided outside of a person's home at recreation centers, camps, or places with organized community programs or activities.

When to Apply this Service

The person’s service and support administrator, or SSA, will assess them for a need for Community Respite. If there is a need, the SSA will include it in the person’s individual service plan.

This service is limited to 60 days for each waiver span.

Providing this Service

Agency providers that have a Medicaid provider agreement and are DODD-certified can provide this service. 

Community Respite can be provided as one-on-one or as a group service.

This service cannot be provided in a residential setting or Adult Day setting.

Training Requirements for this Service

After initial provider certification and completing annual training requirements, the following is required to provide this service.

Agency providers are responsible for ensuring all employees, contractors, and employees of contractors delivering Community Respite must hold the required certification or licenses, such as water safety instructor and be trained for a specialized activity, such as high ropes or archery, in which the person may participate.

Billing and Payment Information

All services must be delivered as specified in the individual service plan and authorized in Payment Authorization for Waiver Services, known as PAWS, to be successfully submitted for payment through eMBS.

Rates and limits for Community Respite are contained in the service rule's appendix.