ARCH Respite Network

The mission of the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center is to assist and promote the development of quality respite and crisis care programs in the United States; to help families locate respite and crisis care services in their communities; and to serve as a strong voice for respite in all forums.

The ARCH National Respite Network includes the National Respite Locator, a service to help caregivers and professionals locate respite services in their community, the National Respite Coalition, a service that advocates for preserving and promoting respite in policy and programs at the national, state, and local levels, and the Lifespan Respite Technical Assistance and Resource Center which is funded by the Administration for Community Living in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

ARCH stands for Access to Respite Care and Help.

Respite is planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with special needs in order to provide temporary relief to family caregivers.

The Lifespan Respite Care Act (PL 109-442), defines Lifespan Respite as "coordinated systems of community-based respite for family caregivers of children or adults, regardless of their special needs"; For more information about the Lifespan Respite Care Program, please visit the Lifespan Respite Technical Assistance and Resource Center.