This page contains information for families interested in hosting students as respite care providers. If you have additional questions, please email campustocommunity@umass.edu.

How can I sign up?

Once you complete the intake survey, we will reach out to schedule a home visit. You will be asked to complete criminal background checks (forms are provided during the home visit).

What can this program offer my family?

This program offers families of children, adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities weekly respite care during the fall and spring academic semesters. Undergraduate students will come in pairs and stay between 2-2.5 hours.

Who is eligible to participate?

We define intellectual and developmental disability very broadly. If you feel you would benefit from respite care as a caregiver, you are encouraged to reach out. When pairing students with families, scheduling most often dictates who is enrolled in the program in a given semester. When demand outweigh our capacity, we try to prioritize families with the greatest need for respite (e.g., no access to other in-home supports, limited financial resources for out-of-pocket respite care, family structure, etc.).

All participating families are required to complete criminal background checks in advance of student placement. In addition, UMass faculty will also complete a home visit.

When will the students come?

We do not have a fixed schedule during the week but work with families individually to match need with student availability. Most visits take place after school or on weekends, but weekday daytime visits are also possible. You can let us know when you are available by completing this form.

How long will the students come?

Each semester at UMass is approximately 14 weeks. Students will begin their home visits in the third week of the semester. On average, you should expect students to come for about 11-12 weeks in a given semester. Please note we observe the UMass academic calendar.

Some students will choose to repeat the program for a second semester, but you should not assume this will be the case. We recognize that turnover each semester may be distressing to some people. We encourage you to think about whether the benefits of participation outweigh the drawbacks for your family.

Who are the students?

Students participating in this program are most often enrolled in the Developmental Disabilities and Human Services program. These students come from 16+ different majors, with a shared interest in working with people with disabilities in their future careers as teachers, social workers, doctors, and therapists among other professions. Other students in this program are typically pursuing degrees in psychology, education, or related fields.

While many students may have taken other courses relating to disability or human services, you should not expect that the students have received specialized training in particular approaches to supporting people with disabilities (e.g., special education, applied behavior analysis).

Where will the visits take place?

The weekly visits typically take place at your home, but we are open to discussing alternative community locations as well.

What am I expected to do during the visit?

You are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of this time to engage in leisure activities, catch up on housework, or rest. We only ask that you remain on site in case of emergencies.

Can my other children be involved?

Yes! We send students out in pairs for this reason. We want to make sure that siblings feel they are getting attention as well. You are encouraged to communicate with the program coordinator and the students about your preference for sibling involvement. You may prefer the students engage with all children in a shared activity or you may prefer that each child receives individual, one-on-one attention a student.

Can I hire the students as respite care providers outside the program?

Yes! You are welcome to ask students about their interest in continuing as respite care providers or personal care attendants outside of their regularly scheduled visits for which they receive course credit.

Do you complete criminal background checks on the students?

Yes! We complete criminal background checks on all students participating in this course. We do not require fingerprinting, but you are welcome to request that students in your home complete this extra step. You would need to cover the expense of fingerprinting, however.