What OPWDD Respite Services Are Available for Families of Children With Disabilities?
If you are caring for a child with a developmental disability, you already know how much goes into every single day. You are managing appointments, therapies, school schedules, behavioral challenges, and everything in between, all while trying to show up fully for your child and the rest of your family. It is a lot. And no matter how much you love your child, there are moments when you simply need a break.
That is exactly what OPWDD respite services are designed for. If you have never heard of respite through OPWDD or you are not sure what your family actually qualifies for, you are in the right place. This guide walks you through every type of respite service available in New York, who can access them, how they are funded, and how you can get started today.
What Are OPWDD Respite Services?
Respite services provide temporary, planned relief for families and caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities. In simple terms, a trained worker comes in and cares for your child so that you can rest, attend to other responsibilities, or simply take a break.
Respite is not a luxury. It is a recognized, funded support within the OPWDD system because research consistently shows that caregiver burnout is one of the leading reasons individuals with disabilities end up in out-of-home placements. When families have access to regular relief, they are better equipped to provide consistent, high-quality care at home over the long term.
According to the New York State OPWDD website, respite services are available to eligible individuals and their families as part of a broader package of home and community based supports funded through Medicaid.
Types of OPWDD Respite Services Available in New York
OPWDD funds several different types of respite depending on your child’s needs, your family’s situation, and the supports identified in your child’s Individual Support Plan.
Planned Respite
Planned respite is the most common form of OPWDD respite services. It is scheduled in advance and delivered on a regular, recurring basis. A trained respite worker comes to your home or another approved setting and cares for your child for a set number of hours.
Planned respite can be scheduled daily, weekly, or on whatever frequency is identified in your child’s Individual Support Plan. For many Brooklyn and Bronx families, planned respite is built into the weekly routine so caregivers have predictable, reliable time to recharge.
Respite in a Family Care Home
Some families choose to have their child stay overnight or for a short period in an approved family care home. This is a private residence that has been certified by OPWDD to provide temporary care for individuals with developmental disabilities.
This option is particularly helpful when a caregiver needs more than a few hours of relief, such as during a medical situation, a family emergency, or simply a longer break.
Camp Respite
OPWDD also funds respite through approved overnight and day camp programs designed specifically for children and young adults with developmental disabilities. Camp respite gives children a meaningful, structured experience outside the home while providing families with extended relief during the summer months.
Crisis Respite
Crisis respite is available when a family is experiencing an urgent situation and needs immediate temporary care for their child. This is not a scheduled service. It is activated when a caregiver becomes temporarily unable to provide care due to illness, emergency, or other unforeseen circumstances.
According to New York State Medicaid, crisis respite is covered as part of the home and community based services available to OPWDD-enrolled individuals, ensuring families have a safety net when unexpected situations arise.
Who Qualifies for OPWDD Respite Services?
To access OPWDD respite services, your child must first be enrolled in the OPWDD system and have an active Individual Support Plan. Respite is not available as a standalone service outside of OPWDD enrollment.
Once enrolled, the need for respite services must be identified in the ISP. Your Care Manager will work with your family to assess the level of caregiver need and document the appropriate type and frequency of respite in the plan.
Eligibility for OPWDD overall requires a qualifying developmental disability diagnosis, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or a closely related neurological condition. The disability must have originated before age 22 and result in substantial functional limitations.
You can learn more about how OPWDD services for children with disabilities are structured and what the enrollment process looks like on our services page.
How Are OPWDD Respite Services Funded?
Most OPWDD respite services are funded through Medicaid as part of the Home and Community Based Services waiver. This means families do not pay out of pocket for approved respite services as long as the child is enrolled in OPWDD and the service is included in the ISP.
The number of respite hours available to a family depends on the level of need documented in the ISP. Families with higher caregiver demands may qualify for more hours. Your Care Manager is the right person to advocate for the appropriate level of respite when the plan is being developed.
It is worth noting that respite hours are use-it-or-lose-it within the plan year in most cases. Families who have respite authorized but do not schedule it regularly may find those hours unavailable at a later date. Working with a responsive provider agency helps ensure authorized respite is actually delivered consistently.
How to Get OPWDD Respite Services Started for Your Family
If your child is already enrolled in OPWDD, the first step is to contact your Care Manager and request that respite be added to or increased in your child’s Individual Support Plan. If respite is already in the plan but you have not been connected with a provider, your Care Manager can help identify approved agencies in your area.
If your child is not yet enrolled in OPWDD, you will need to complete the eligibility process before accessing respite or any other OPWDD funded service. Starting that process as early as possible gives your family the fastest path to relief.
Z Best Homecare is an approved OPWDD service provider in Brooklyn NY serving families in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Our team works directly with Care Managers to coordinate respite and other home-based supports for children with developmental disabilities. Visit our OPWDD services in Brooklyn, NY page to learn more about how we support families in your area.
OPWDD Respite Services at a Glance
| Respite Type | Setting | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planned Respite | Home or community | Few hours, recurring | Regular scheduled caregiver relief |
| Family Care Home Respite | Certified private home | Overnight or short stay | Extended breaks or emergencies |
| Camp Respite | Approved camp program | Days to weeks | Summer relief and child enrichment |
| Crisis Respite | Varies | As needed | Urgent or unexpected caregiver situations |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Once respite is authorized in your child’s ISP, you have the right to select the provider agency that delivers the service. Your Care Manager can provide a list of approved providers in Brooklyn and the Bronx.
The number of authorized hours varies based on the level of caregiver need documented in the ISP. There is no fixed limit that applies to every family. Your Care Manager advocates for the appropriate amount during the planning process.
Yes. Depending on the type of respite authorized, services can be delivered in the family home, in the community, in a certified family care home, or at an approved camp program.
Contact your Care Manager immediately. Crisis respite can be authorized outside of the normal planning cycle when a family faces an urgent situation. Do not wait for the annual ISP review if your need is immediate.
Yes. OPWDD respite services are only available to individuals who are enrolled in the OPWDD system and have an active Individual Support Plan. If your child is not yet enrolled, contact a provider agency like Z Best Homecare to begin the process.
The Bottom Line
OPWDD respite services are one of the most practical and impactful supports the system offers families. They give caregivers the relief they need to sustain long-term, high-quality care at home, and they give children with developmental disabilities access to trained, experienced workers who enrich their daily lives.
If your family has not yet explored respite through OPWDD, now is the right time to start. Whether your child is newly enrolled or has been in the system for years, respite services can make a meaningful difference in the daily life of every person in your household.
Z Best Homecare helps families in Brooklyn and the Bronx access OPWDD services for children in Brooklyn including respite care and other home based supports. Reach out to our team today to learn how we can help your family get the relief you deserve.
References
New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. OPWDD: Putting People First. https://opwdd.ny.gov
New York State Department of Health. Medicaid Home and Community Based Services. https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Developmental Disabilities. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities
New York State OPWDD. Respite Services Overview. https://opwdd.ny.gov/respite-services
New York State OPWDD. Home and Community Based Services Waiver. https://opwdd.ny.gov/hcbs-waiver
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Eligibility requirements, available services, and program details for OPWDD respite services in New York are subject to change. Families are encouraged to contact the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities directly at opwdd.ny.gov or speak with a qualified Care Manager to obtain guidance specific to their child’s situation.