The Use of Respite in Crisis Emergency Services: A Two Year Analysis

Respite care is widely believed to be an important service for families raising a child with a disability. All caregivers need a break from time to time, and the need may be even greater when the caregiver is coping with the additional stress associated with a child\u27s disability. A number of studies have demonstrated that respite care can improve family functioning (Cohen, 1982), reduce stress (Rimmerman, 1989; Wickler & Hanusa, 1990; Appoloni & Triest, 1983), and delay out-of-home placement (Cohen, 1982; Upshur, 1982) for families with a child who has a disability