The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Respite Centers are specifically designed to provide planned and scheduled relief to families. DDS Respite Centers shall be open twenty-four hours a day from Thursday afternoon to Tuesday morning contingent on family requests and regional resources. The Family Respite Centers shall be open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for up to six to eight weeks during the year, including summer months or school vacations and contingent upon regional resources. Staff assigned to the Family Respite Centers shall have skills needed to work with children and adults who have mental retardation and their families.

This policy applies to all individuals who receive services at DDS Respite Centers.
This policy applies to all individual and family support and public services staff responsible for the operations and oversight of Respite Centers.