Autism Services

This gives parents a break from the daily stress of caring for a child with special needs. It’s an extra set of hands so parents can rest, catch up on housework, run errands, go to another child’s activities, spend time with friends or take a short break. Respite care can be provided either through an agency or by self-direction and it happens right in a child’s home. Transportation is not included.

Family hiring a respite care worker must:

• Have a child enrolled in the state’s Autism Spectrum Disorder waiver
• Have respite care listed on the child’s Person-Centered Care plan
• Be enrolled with Veridian, the fiscal agent that helps families with payroll and criminal and abuse background checks

To be a respite care worker, you must:

• Care for a child who is active on the state’s Autism Spectrum Disorder waiver
• Be 18 or older
• Live outside of the child’s home
• Pass criminal and abuse background checks

For more information on respite care, call 701-328-7068, 711 (TTY) or email dhsautism@nd.gov.