HEARTS Respite Program
Giving Parents the Break They Deserve
Every parent needs time away from their children—but for parents of children with disabilities, taking a break can be especially challenging. The financial, physical, and emotional demands of caregiving, combined with the difficulty of finding qualified and affordable childcare, often leave families without the support they need.
That’s where the HEARTS Respite Program comes in. Funded by the Children's Trust Fund of Alabama, this program allows parents or primary caregivers to choose and train a respite caregiver who meets their child’s unique needs. Families with a child age 21 or under with a diagnosed disability are eligible to participate.
HEARTS Respite provides parents with the flexibility to:
Run errands
Enjoy a date night
Participate in self-care or other personal activities
Additionally, the program offers parent trainings on important topics such as First Aid and CPR, ensuring caregivers feel confident and prepared.
UCP of Mobile’s HEARTS Respite program services the following counties: Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Clark, Washington, Monroe, Lowndes, Montgomery, Autauga, Elmore, Bullock, Butler, Crenshaw, Pike, Barbour, Conecuh, Covington, Coffee, Dale, Henry, Geneva, and Houston.
How the Voucher Program Works
Families hire and train a respite caregiver of their choice.
They pay the caregiver for services provided.
Families submit a service report to UCP of Mobile.
Each quarter, UCP of Mobile reimburses families for the approved respite care costs.
The HEARTS Respite Program helps parents recharge while ensuring their child is in capable hands. To learn more about eligibility and enrollment, contact UCP of Mobile today!
HEARTS Respite Caregiver Resources
For more information on respite opportunities for your family, please call us at (251) 479-4900 or email Matrisza Alvarez, Director of Youth & Family Services.