Foster parenting is deeply rewarding, and it can also be exhausting. Caring for children who have experienced disruption requires patience, emotional presence, and consistency. Even the most committed foster families sometimes need time to rest so they can continue providing safe, stable homes.
Respite foster care offers that support. By providing short-term care when foster parents need a break, respite care for foster families helps maintain stability for children and prevents placements from breaking down. It is not a replacement for foster parenting, but a way to strengthen it.
In Los Angeles County, nearly 20,000 children receive child welfare services, with more than 10,000 currently in out-of-home care. Respite care for foster parents plays an important role in helping families continue fostering and supporting children through moments of transition.
In this guide, we explain what respite foster care is and how caring community members can become respite providers in LA County through Penny Lane Centers.
Respite foster care is a short-term caregiving arrangement, typically lasting from 24 hours to up to 14 days, designed to give full-time foster parents temporary relief while providing children with a safe, nurturing environment. This support allows foster families to rest, address personal needs, or manage unexpected situations without disrupting a child’s placement.
Respite foster care is not babysitting. It is intentional, trauma-informed care provided by approved adults who understand the unique needs of children in foster care. Respite providers follow the same safety standards and expectations as other foster caregivers, offering consistency, structure, and emotional support during a child’s stay.
Respite care can look different depending on a family’s needs. It may be a planned weekend from Friday to Sunday, or a longer stay of up to two weeks if a foster family is dealing with a medical emergency, family obligation, or necessary travel. In every case, the goal of respite care for foster families is to protect stability, reduce stress, and ensure children continue to feel safe and cared for.
By stepping in during these moments, respite foster care supports foster parents in continuing their long-term commitment, while giving children continuity and reassurance during times of transition.
Becoming a respite provider is one of the most practical, meaningful ways to support children and foster families in Los Angeles County. Respite care for foster families helps protect stability for kids, gives caregivers room to breathe, and strengthens the relationships that make long-term fostering possible.
Whether you are exploring foster parenting for the first time or looking for a flexible way to give back, respite care for foster parents can be a steady, community-rooted way to show up.
Many people feel called to foster, but still have questions. Will we be ready? How will it affect our household? What does day-to-day care actually look like? Respite care for foster families can be a thoughtful first step because it lets you learn through real experience, without making an immediate long-term commitment.
As a respite provider, you get to understand the basics of caregiving in the foster system, things like establishing routines, supporting a child through transitions, and working with clear expectations around safety and communication. You also learn what it feels like to welcome a child into your home and offer a calm, caring presence in a new environment.
For some people, respite becomes a bridge into fostering full-time. For others, it becomes their ongoing way of contributing, offering reliable support to multiple foster families over time. Either path matters. In both cases, you are strengthening a child’s sense of safety, even in a short window, by being one more trusted adult who shows up with consistency.
Foster parents carry a lot. They are supporting children who may be navigating grief, fear, or uncertainty, while also balancing school needs, appointments, family responsibilities, and the emotional weight of being a steady anchor. Even when things are going well, the pace can be intense.
Respite care for foster parents gives families a chance to recover, not because they are failing, but because they are human. A weekend to sleep, catch up on life, tend to their own children, or simply reset can make the difference between a foster parent feeling depleted and feeling able to continue.
This is especially true for families caring for children with high behavioral needs. When a child is having a hard time regulating emotions, following rules, or adjusting to structure, the caregiver’s nervous system is working overtime. Respite is not a luxury in those situations. It can be the support that helps a foster family stay in it for the long run.
Respite care for foster families also supports children directly. When caregivers are rested and supported, they can respond with more patience, steadiness, and calmness, which helps kids feel safer. In that way, respite care is not only about giving foster parents a break. It is also about protecting the stability children need.
If you are interested in caring for kids with higher needs, we can also connect you with supports for high behavioral needs, so you understand what help is available and what levels of care different children may require.
It is normal to wonder about payment, especially in Los Angeles, where the cost of living is high. Respite providers receive a tax-free stipend designed to cover a child’s expenses while they are in your care. This support helps ensure caregivers are not paying out of pocket for basic needs.
The stipend is meant to cover costs like:
We are transparent about what to expect, how the stipend works, and what the placement responsibilities include before you ever say yes to a child. Our goal is for respite care for foster families to feel doable, not financially stressful, and grounded in clarity and support.
A common hesitation we hear is, “I work full-time, so I cannot do this.” The truth is that many respite providers do work full-time. Respite care is often a good fit for working adults because you choose your availability.
Some people offer one weekend a month. Others offer care only during holiday breaks, long weekends, or times of the year when their schedules are lighter. Because respite placements are short-term and frequently planned in advance, you can set boundaries that protect your work schedule and personal life.
Respite care for foster parents is also not one size fits all. You may choose to accept placements only within certain age ranges, only when a child’s schedule aligns with yours, or only when you feel your household has the capacity. We work with you to understand your preferences and to match you thoughtfully.
Even one consistent respite provider who is available occasionally can make a major difference for a foster family. If you have a stable home, a caring heart, and a realistic amount of time to offer, respite care for foster families can be a powerful way to support kids and strengthen your community, without needing to change your entire life to do it.
Respite foster care in California is open to adults from many different backgrounds. What matters most is the ability to provide a safe, supportive environment and a willingness to care for children with compassion. We welcome respite providers from across Los Angeles County, including North Hills, Commerce, and Antelope Valley communities such as Lancaster.
You do not need prior foster parenting experience or to own a home to provide respite care for foster families. We guide prospective providers through each step of the process and make sure expectations are clear and manageable.
To become a respite provider, you must meet the following requirements:
We support you through these requirements and help you understand what is needed to provide respite care for foster parents while protecting the safety and well-being of every child.
Becoming a respite foster care provider is a guided, supportive process. We walk alongside you at each stage to make sure you feel informed, prepared, and confident in offering care to children and families.
The first step is attending an orientation. This is a no-obligation opportunity to learn more about respite foster care, ask questions, and understand what providing care actually looks like. Orientation helps you decide whether respite care for foster families is the right fit for your life right now.
You can sign up for an upcoming orientation at a time that works for you.
If you choose to move forward, the next step is completing an application and required background screening. This paperwork is standard and exists to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
We support you through each form and requirement, including fingerprinting and background checks, so the process feels clear and manageable.
We provide free training to all prospective respite providers. This includes trauma-informed care training that helps you understand how children’s experiences can shape behavior, emotions, and needs.
These skills are valuable not only for respite foster care in California but also for parenting, caregiving, and professional roles. You gain a practical, professional skill set at no cost, with ongoing support from our team.
A home assessment is a friendly visit with a social worker to ensure your space is safe and ready for a child. This is not about judging your decor or lifestyle. It is simply about confirming basic safety standards and answering any questions you may have.
We work with you to address any concerns and make sure your home feels welcoming and prepared.
Once approved, you are added to our list of respite foster care providers. When a foster family needs support, we match them with an available provider based on location, availability, and the child’s needs.
From there, you offer short-term care that helps foster parents rest and helps children remain connected to stable, trusted care.
At Penny Lane Centers, we believe children thrive when the adults around them are supported. Respite foster care is not just about temporary placements. It is about strengthening families, protecting stability, and caring for the entire ecosystem that surrounds a child.
Our work is grounded in family-centered support. Through programs like Family Preservation, we focus on keeping families connected whenever possible and ensuring caregivers have the tools, guidance, and relief they need to continue showing up for children over time.
We have been serving Los Angeles County since 1969. Our long-standing presence in local communities means we understand the realities families face and the resources that make a real difference. That local expertise shapes how we support respite foster care providers across LA County.
When you provide respite care, you are never doing it alone. Our team offers ongoing access to social workers and 24/7 support lines, so help is always available if questions or concerns come up while a child is in your care. We are here to support you just as much as you are supporting children and foster families.
If you are ready to take the next step and help create stability for children in your community, we invite you to apply to become a resource parent today.
