Delaware Respite Care for Grandparent Caregivers

You Cannot Pour from an Empty Cup

Raising a grandchild at 60 or 70 means doctor appointments you drive to instead of attending your own, sleep you lose to a toddler's schedule, and weekends you spend at school events instead of resting. Caregiver burnout is real, and it does not help the child if you collapse from exhaustion.

Respite care gives you a temporary break — someone else watches the child for a few hours, a weekend, or during a summer program — so you can attend to your own health, handle errands, or simply rest. Delaware funds respite services specifically for older kinship caregivers, but most people never hear about them unless they know where to ask.

The Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program

Delaware's Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) administers the Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program. This federal program provides targeted support services to family caregivers, including grandparents and relatives aged 55 or older who are raising a minor child under 18.

Eligible services include:

• Respite care funding — temporary childcare so you can take a break, whether that means a few hours of in-home help, enrollment in a summer day program, or short-term care at a licensed facility
• Caregiver counseling and navigation — help identifying other services and benefits you qualify for
• Support group access — connecting with other kinship caregivers who understand what you are going through

Title III-E provides services rather than direct monthly cash payments. The specific respite options and funding amounts depend on what DSAAPD has available in the current program year.

How to Access Respite Care

The entry point is the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Call the statewide hotline at 1-800-223-9074 and explain that you are a relative caregiver aged 55 or older raising a minor child, and you are interested in respite care and caregiver support services.

The ADRC serves as a central intake point for aging and disability resources across Delaware. They will assess your situation and connect you with available respite programs in your county.

You do not need a court order, guardianship papers, or DFS involvement to access Title III-E services. The program is designed for family caregivers in any legal arrangement — informal, with a caregiver affidavit, or with formal legal custody.

Other Respite Options

Beyond Title III-E, some additional options may be available:

Children's Choice Kinship Navigator Program (302-678-0404) — the statewide kinship navigator can help identify local respite resources and community-based support, including peer support groups where other kinship caregivers share practical tips for managing the caregiving load.

Faith-based and community organizations — some Delaware churches and community centers offer informal respite programs, after-school care, or summer activities at low or no cost. Dial 2-1-1 to ask about programs in your area.

Purchase of Care (POC) childcare subsidies — if you work, are in job training, or qualify through a DFS referral, Delaware's POC program pays subsidized rates directly to a licensed childcare provider. The income limit is 225% of the Federal Poverty Level at application. While POC is not labeled as respite, it effectively provides supervised childcare during the hours you need.

Why Respite Matters for the Child Too

Children in kinship care have often experienced trauma — parental addiction, incarceration, domestic violence, or death. A burnt-out caregiver cannot provide the stability these children need. Research consistently shows that caregiver well-being directly affects child outcomes, and regular respite care is one of the strongest protective factors against placement disruption.

If you are reluctant to ask for help because it feels like admitting you cannot handle it, reframe the question: respite care is not about your limits. It is about making the arrangement sustainable for years, not just months.

Start with One Phone Call

Call the Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074. Explain your situation. Ask about respite care, caregiver counseling, and any other supports available under Title III-E for grandparent caregivers. One call connects you to the full network of aging and caregiver services across the state.

For a complete overview of every financial benefit available to Delaware kinship caregivers — from TANF cash grants to Medicaid, SNAP, and emergency assistance — the Delaware Kinship Financial Help Guide covers each program in detail with application steps and required documents.

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