St. Louis Arc’s ARCH Respite Program can give family members caring for a child or adult with an intellectual or developmental disability extra support and a much needed break. ARCH (Assistance with Residential Care in the Home), also referred to as “respite”, reimburses primary caregivers at a standard rate for short-term relief services. These services can be received either in their own home, within the community, or in the home of a care provider. The ARCH program is currently available to families living in St. Louis County or St. Louis City.
Registered ARCH participants qualify for a specified number of in-home support hours annually. These hours can be used when the family needs them throughout the year. Families can choose anyone whom they feel is qualified to be a care provider, as long as they do not live in the family home, and is not a parent or stepparent of the person who needs care. Additionally, the provider must be 18 years of age or older. To support families in finding short-term care, families registered in the program can log-in to the ARCH online community and access care provider resources to find potential caregivers in their area.
Common Questions
Why do I have to re-enroll annually?
The end of the current fiscal year is June 30, 2023. The funding sources for the respite program require an annual re-enrollment process in order to reassess each family’s needs.
What if I have more than one child in the program?
The St. Louis Arc requires each person enrolled in the respite program to re-enroll every year. Families will complete a separate survey for each family member enrolled in the program.
How do I re-enroll?
Currently enrolled families were sent a paper survey, as well as an online survey to complete. Families should complete the format that is most convenient for them. If your email address was on file, you should have received the electronic version. If you did not receive it, you do not need to login to access the survey; it is available on the main ARCH page.
What is the deadline to submit my survey?
In order to avoid a disruption of services as the current fiscal year ends and the new one begins, your completed survey(s) must be received by Friday, May 26, 2023. We will accept surveys after that date but late receipt of the survey may result in a delay in services.
What happens after I complete my survey(s)?
Once we have received approval from the funding sources, we will begin sending letters to families who have completed their surveys for the next fiscal year. The letters will be mailed out at the beginning of June.
How to Use My Hours
How many hours will we receive?
This letter will include your family member’s allotment of hours for the next fiscal year. It is important to be as detailed as possible, as the number of hours allotted to your family member is dependent on the information you include in your survey.
How long do I have to use my hours?
The next fiscal year runs from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.
When can I start using my new respite hours?
You can start using your new hours on or after July 1, 2023.
What if I have questions about the survey or my allotment of hours?
You can contact Amy Burnett at 314-817-2236.
We will host a few optional trainings in June to update you on changes to the program. Please keep your eyes out for an email to register for those.
Becoming a Respite Care Provider offers a flexible, part-time opportunity for people looking for something meaningful to do in their free time. As an independent contractor, Respite Care Providers offer short-term support to an adult or child with a disability.
To Begin the Respite Care Provider Process:
- Complete the online questionnaire or call 314-817-2236 with questions.
- Select the areas and times (day, night, overnight, weekend) you are willing to work.
- Your contact information and preferences will be added to the Respite Care Provider list.
- If your preferences match those of a family, they will contact you directly.
Contact Amy Burnett at 314-817-2236 with additional questions about becoming a Respite Care Provider.