Missouri Respite Care for Kinship Caregivers: Programs and How to Access Them

Raising a grandchild or relative's child without a break wears you down in ways most people never see. You're managing school schedules, medical appointments, homework, and bedtime routines — often on a body and budget that weren't built for a second round of parenting. Respite care gives you a few hours or a few days of temporary relief so you can rest, attend your own medical appointments, or simply sleep.

Missouri doesn't have one centralized respite program for kinship caregivers, but several pathways exist depending on your situation.

Subsidized Guardianship Respite (Children's Division)

If you became the child's legal guardian through Missouri's Children's Division — meaning the child was previously in state custody and you completed six months as a licensed relative foster parent before the guardianship was finalized — your Subsidized Guardianship Agreement includes a respite care allowance.

The standard respite rate is up to $300 per year (12 units at $12.50 per half-unit block). Children with documented higher-level needs qualify for an above-standard rate of up to $498 per year (19 units at $13.13 per half-unit). Each unit covers a 6-to-12-hour block of care.

This respite funding is part of your existing agreement. If you haven't used it, contact your Children's Division case manager to arrange an approved respite provider.

Title III-E: National Family Caregiver Support Program

Grandparents and relatives aged 55 or older raising minor children can access respite care through the Older Americans Act Title III-E program, administered by Missouri's Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). The program funds temporary relief care, peer support networks, and one-time grants for needs like clothing, school supplies, or home modifications.

Your regional AAA coordinates these services. Missouri has ten AAA regions — for example, Care Connection for Aging Services covers much of central Missouri. To find yours, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or contact Missouri's Division of Senior and Disability Services.

Title III-E respite doesn't require the child to have been in state custody. The main requirement is that you're 55 or older and raising a child who is not your biological child.

Family Resource Centers and FamilyForward

Regional nonprofits like FamilyForward (St. Louis metro) and local Family Resource Centers provide respite activities, support groups, and occasional emergency childcare relief. These organizations serve kinship families regardless of legal arrangement.

Coverage varies by location. St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas have the most developed networks, while rural counties may have limited options. The statewide MO KIN-4-KID line (1-833-546-4543) operated by ParentLink at the University of Missouri can connect you to the nearest resource center offering respite support.

How to Start

If you're not sure which pathway applies to you, call the KIN-4-KID warmline first. Their master's-level specialists can assess your situation and point you to the right program. For a complete overview of every benefit available to Missouri kinship caregivers — including how legal arrangement affects what you qualify for — see our Missouri Financial Help for Grandparents and Relatives Raising a Child guide.

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