Ten states will share $12,657,503 over three years to expand respite care for family caregivers, including parents and spouses caring for children and adults with disabilities, the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The grants come through ACL’s Lifespan Respite Care Program, which the agency says supports family caregivers “of all ages, disabilities, and health conditions.” Respite care gives caregivers a short break, planned or in an emergency, while someone else looks after their loved one.
Which states received the new respite grants?
According to ACL, the fiscal year 2026 award recipients are:
- Colorado Department of Human Services
- Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
- New York State Office for the Aging
- North Dakota Department of Human Services
- Tennessee Commission on Aging & Disability
- Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
The awards were made under a funding notice titled “Lifespan Respite Care Program: State Grants,” posted June 22, 2026, ACL said. ACL did not list individual award amounts in its announcement.
What will states do with the money?
Under the grants, states must develop or advance respite care at the state and local levels, train and recruit respite care workers and volunteers, provide respite services, share information about available services and help caregivers get them, ACL said. States may also offer training for family caregivers, including new caregivers, to help them make informed decisions about respite care.
On its program page, ACL says state grantees have used Lifespan Respite funding for activities such as outreach to caregivers, training paid and volunteer respite providers, building statewide databases of respite programs, and person-centered options such as vouchers that let families choose their own provider.
Why does respite matter for families of people with disabilities?
Respite “supports family caregivers of children and adults across all age groups, disabilities, and chronic conditions,” and is “an essential component of home, and community-based long-term services,” according to ACL. The agency says respite can contribute to the health and well-being of both caregivers and the people they care for.
ACL said the new grants are meant to “strengthen state respite systems and help ensure that caregivers and families have better access to high-quality, sustainable caregiving support.”
How big is the Lifespan Respite Care Program?
Congress created the program in 2006 under the Lifespan Respite Care Act and reauthorized it in 2020. Since 2009, ACL has awarded competitive grants to eligible agencies in 39 states and the District of Columbia, according to the agency. In fiscal 2025, Congress appropriated $10 million for the program, $2 million more than the fiscal 2022 level, ACL said.
Eligible lead agencies include state agencies that run programs under the Older Americans Act or Medicaid, agencies designated by a governor, and Aging and Disability Resource Centers.
The new state awards follow other caregiver funding ACL announced in late October, which HNC covered at the start of National Family Caregivers Month.
How can caregivers find respite care now?
Families do not apply to ACL for these grants; the money goes to state agencies, which run or fund local respite programs. Caregivers looking for help can:
- Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to be connected with local aging and disability services, including Area Agencies on Aging.
- Use the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center, which helps families locate respite and crisis care services.
- Contact their state’s lead respite agency, such as those listed above, to ask what respite options, vouchers or caregiver training are available.
- Ask their state Medicaid agency whether a home and community-based services waiver covers respite for an eligible family member.
Questions about the awards or the program can be sent to ACL at Emily.Anozie@acl.hhs.gov, according to the announcement.
Key Takeaways
- ACL announced 10 new Lifespan Respite Care Program state grants totaling $12,657,503 over three years on Nov. 3, 2026.
- Recipients are Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
- States must expand respite services, recruit and train respite workers and volunteers, and help caregivers find services.
- The program serves family caregivers of people of all ages, disabilities and health conditions.
- Caregivers can start with the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) or their state’s respite agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is respite care?
Respite care gives family caregivers a temporary break, planned or in an emergency, while another person cares for their loved one. ACL calls it an essential part of home and community-based long-term services.
Which states got Lifespan Respite grants in November 2026?
Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin, according to ACL’s Nov. 3, 2026, announcement.
How much money is being awarded?
A total of $12,657,503 over three years across the 10 states. ACL did not list the amount for each state.
Can families apply directly for these grants?
No. The grants go to state agencies, which use them to expand and coordinate respite services. Families should contact their state’s respite program or local aging and disability agency.
Who does the Lifespan Respite Care Program help?
Family caregivers of children and adults of all ages, disabilities and chronic conditions, according to ACL.
Featured image: A woman and her grandson, who has a developmental disability. (AnikaMeyer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
