A new tool is being developed to help regional centers determine respite hours.

The goal of the Standardized Respite Tool is to:

  • Create an easy-to-use form that provides some consistency across the state.
  • Avoid big changes to the authorized respite hours that individuals and families currently have.
  • Reduce differences in authorizations among families with similar needs across the 21 regional centers.

How will this affect me?

When it is implemented, your service coordinator will use the Standardized Respite Tool when your Individual Program Plan (IPP) includes respite services.

Five-step process for receiving respite services: 1. Meet with planning team; IPP includes respite. 2. Complete tool and receive score. 3. Authorization level and hours determined. 4. Respite authorized. 5. Use respite.

What is public feedback and how can I help?

DDS is asking the public to provide feedback about the draft Standardized Respite Tool by using the online feedback forms below. Your feedback is valuable as information shared can be used to improve the tool. As you think about the Standardized Respite Tool, consider the following questions:

  • Do you think the information gathered on the draft tool would help meet the respite needs of persons served by regional centers and their families? If not, what changes do you recommend?
  • Do you think the authorized hours generated by the tool would meet the respite needs of persons served by regional centers and their families? If not, what changes do you recommend?
  • Do you have ideas about how to implement the Standardized Respite Tool?

The public feedback period will be open through August 28, 2025.

Standardized Respite Tool

Online Feedback Form


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Last modified: August 1, 2025