Air Force Respite Care Program
The Air Force has partnered with the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) to provide respite care to AF families with children who have special needs. Rollout of the AF Respite Care Program has begun; while Fairchild AFB is not on the initial rollout, it is anticipated in 2012. The number of hours of care is based on the special need severity and deployment status. Visit the website or call Child Care Aware at 1-800-424-2246 for more information

Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)
Families may be eligible for Respite Care through the ECHO program. Please contact your ECHO caseworker or the SNIAC office for details

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) Respite Care

• Allows a "break" a few hours a week or month to active-duty Air Force families who have the responsibility of 24-hour a day care for an ill or disabled family member living in the household. Assistance is based on need - the need for some time away from the normal care duties, as well as financial need, and is given as a grant. The goal is to allow respite time while finances are adjusted to work toward budgeting for self financed care and/or enrollment into another available military or community resource
• Families are referred to the AFAS for Respite Care through the Special Needs Identification and Assignment Coordination Program (SNIAC) or the Family Advocacy Office (FAO) at the base Medical Clinic. The sponsor should then make an appointment with the Air Force Aid Society Officer at the Airman and Family Readiness Center (247-2246)
• The family finds a care provider with whom they are comfortable, and one that will agree to be paid not more than once per month. Care may be provided in the family's home or in out-of-home settings.  AFAS Respite Care will not pay for a relative to provide care.  AFAS does not pay for care provided by another family in the Respite Care Program

Other AFAS Assistance
The AFAS may be able to assist these families in other ways. Often out-of-pocket medical expenses put additional strains on an already tight budget. AFAS has found that many times merely helping with some past due medical expenses, purchasing some specialized equipment, or just getting them networked with a support group, can ease stress

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