Crisis Respite Services: Short-term Support When You Need It Most
Understanding crisis respite services, including in-home and out-of-home options, eligibility criteria, and how to access immediate crisis intervention support.
What is Crisis Respite?
Crisis respite services provide immediate, short-term support during emergency situations when individuals with disabilities and their families need immediate intervention and relief. These services are designed to stabilize crisis situations and prevent more serious outcomes.
Unlike regular respite care, crisis respite is specifically designed for emergency situations that require immediate professional intervention. It can be provided in-home or out-of-home, depending on the nature of the crisis and the individual's needs.
Emergency Focus: Crisis respite is specifically designed for situations that require immediate intervention to ensure safety and prevent escalation.
When to Use Crisis Respite
Crisis respite should be considered when immediate intervention is needed to address:
Common Crisis Scenarios:
- Severe behavioral escalation requiring immediate intervention
- Mental health crisis with safety concerns
- Family or caregiver emergency preventing normal care
- Medical crisis requiring intensive monitoring
- Breakdown of current support system
- Environmental safety concerns in the home
Types of Crisis Respite
Minnesota offers two main types of crisis respite services to meet different emergency needs:
In-Home Crisis Respite
Intensive support provided in the person's own home during crisis situations
Out-of-Home Crisis Respite
Temporary placement in a specialized crisis facility when home-based care isn't sufficient
How to Access Crisis Respite Services
Accessing crisis respite services requires immediate action and coordination with your support team:
Step-by-Step Process
Contact your case manager or waiver coordinator to assess the crisis situation and determine if crisis respite is appropriate
Obtain authorization for crisis respite services through your waiver program or case manager
Work with your case manager to identify and coordinate with an appropriate crisis respite provider
Begin crisis respite services as quickly as possible to address the immediate crisis situation
Eligibility Requirements
To access crisis respite services, individuals must meet specific eligibility criteria:
Basic Eligibility:
- Enrolled in a Minnesota waiver program (DD, CAC, CADI, or BI)
- Experiencing a crisis situation requiring immediate intervention
- Regular support services are insufficient to address the crisis
- Safety concerns for the individual or others
Duration and Limits
Crisis respite services have specific duration limits and usage guidelines:
Typical Duration Limits:
- • In-home crisis respite: Up to 30 days per episode
- • Out-of-home crisis respite: Up to 14 days per episode
- • Annual limits vary by waiver program
- • Extensions may be available with proper documentation
Costs and Coverage
Crisis respite services are typically covered by Minnesota waiver programs:
Coverage Information:
- • Covered by DD, CAC, CADI, and BI waivers
- • No additional cost to eligible individuals
- • Services must be authorized by case manager
- • Emergency situations may have expedited approval
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can crisis respite services be activated?
Crisis respite services are designed for immediate response. Once the need is identified and approved, services can typically begin within hours, depending on the type of crisis and available resources.
Can crisis respite be used multiple times?
Yes, crisis respite can be used multiple times throughout the year as needed, up to the annual limits specified in your waiver program. Each situation is evaluated individually.
What is the difference between crisis respite and regular respite?
Crisis respite is specifically for emergency situations requiring immediate intervention, while regular respite is planned temporary relief for caregivers. Crisis respite typically provides more intensive support and can be activated quickly.
Who can request crisis respite services?
Crisis respite can be requested by the individual receiving services, family members, caregivers, case managers, or other professionals involved in the person's care team.
What happens after the crisis respite period ends?
Before crisis respite ends, the team works on transition planning, which may include returning to regular services, adjusting the support plan, or connecting with additional resources to prevent future crises.
Need Crisis Respite Services?
If you're experiencing a crisis situation, don't wait. Contact your case manager immediately or reach out to our crisis support team for assistance.