Thinking About Becoming a Foster Parent? Respite Care is a Great First Step.

When people hear the term “foster parent,” they often think of a long-term, full-time commitment. While these foster families are urgently needed, there is also a flexible and meaningful way to get involved: respite care. 

At CEDARS, respite care supports both kids in foster care, and the foster parents caring for them. It allows people to step into foster parenting in a manageable way while making a real impact. 

What is Respite Care? 

Respite care involves caring for a kid for a short period of time—such as a weekend, a few days, or during school breaks—while their primary foster family takes time to rest or attend to personal family needs. It helps prevent foster parent burnout and allows families to continue caring for kids long-term. 

Simply put, respite care helps foster placements last. 

Respite care may be a good fit if you: 

• Want to support kids in foster care but can’t commit long-term right now 
• Have availability for weekends, school breaks, or occasional short-term stays 
• Are curious about becoming a foster parent and want to ease into the process 

Many CEDARS foster parents begin with respite care—some later choose long-term foster parenting, while others continue providing respite support. 

Become a CEDARS Foster Parent 

CEDARS provides ongoing training, guidance, and support to foster parents, so you’re never on the journey alone. Whether you become a primary foster parent or provide respite care, your presence, care, and commitment truly matter.  

Ready to take the next step and apply to become a CEDARS foster parent? Visit CEDARSkids.org/foster today. 

Apply to Become a CEDARS Foster Parent