Start-Up Respite Funds

Start-Up Respite Funds is sponsored by Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (RCAW). RCAW offers funding to help new respite care programs get started, and to support existing programs and businesses that want to grow or add respite services across Wisconsin. This includes initial costs like rent, insurance, staff wages, training, supplies, and required licenses.

We will accept applications during this designated window: December 1–15 **Application Windows****Application Due****Awards Announced****Funds Distributed** December 1–15 December 15 December 29 February 05 Programs may submit up to two applications per year. Programs that provide services to populations and areas of the state that have not been previously served will be given priority.

We accept applications during two designated windows: December 1–15 and June 1–15 **Application Windows****Application Due****Awards Announced****Funds Distributed** December 1–15 December 15 December 29 February 05 June 1–15 June 15 June 30 August 05 You can be at any stage of the process! RCAW asks for a program/business name and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to receive funds.

Otherwise, funds are going to you personally rather than the business. This could cause issues for your tax reporting, as it would be considered personal income. If the program is part of an existing organization, then the funds would go to that organization to fund this new program.

Grant requests can range from $5,000 to $25,000. A successful grant applicant might receive partial funding depending on available funds. Funds can be used for business-related start-up costs:’ Please note: these funds are funded through a federal grant and cannot be used for food costs.

An independent provider is an individual who is providing respite services for clients independently. They may be listed as a sole proprietor or as an LLC and might have a contract with a county, MCO, or individual clients. Click here to learn more about becoming an independent provider.

A respite program has employees or volunteers that assist in providing respite services. The program could occur as little as once or twice a month, or as often as daily. No, individuals looking at becoming independent providers are not a good fit for this grant.

This grant is specifically to start new respite programs in the community. Respite programs can be volunteer-based programs or large businesses. There are many ways a respite program can look.

Here is a short list of some of the ways. Faith-based or Volunteer-based respite programs – provides respite with volunteers for no to little charge to families. These programs may run as little as a couple times a year, or as often as weekly.

In-home respite staffing agency – this program hires employees to provide respite in the client’s homes, staff’s home, or the community. This is often one-on-one care between the staff and the client. There is often a contract with a long-term care funding source, MCO, or private pay.

Community-based respite programs – these are programs that take place in a community setting such as an adult day center, a child care center, an adult family home, a community center, a park, or other place outside of the home. Typically more than one individual attends the program at one time, and there is a use of staff or volunteers to support the respite program. New program – this is a respite program that is brand new.

This is the first service that the program or business is providing. Expansion program – this is a new respite program or location that is part of an existing business (ANY business). * An agency currently provides in-home services and are applying to open a respite center, this is considered an expansion program.

* A child care center wants to start offering respite care, this would be an expansion service. The RCAW StartUP Grant application needs to focus on the program that you are starting up. The questions need to be answered for the new program.

There is one additional question about how the new program fits in with the existing organization. Here you would explain how the programs fit together, why you are expanding, etc. The rest of the application should focus on the program you are asking to be funded. Answer the question about how funds will be used as it relates to the new program.

The budgets should be clear on the new program vs the existing organization. The BRYC workshop is currently offered through RCAW. To find out more about the RCAW workshop visit: Bringing Respite to Your Community Workshop.

Completing the RCAW Respite Care Provider Training (10-course respite training) does not meet the eligibility requirements for this grant. Congrats. You will receive an agreement and paperwork to sign.

Once these are returned, your grant award will be mailed to you. You will be asked to complete progress reports at the 6‑month and 1‑year points to share how the funds were used and how the program is developing. Applicants are also required to meet virtually with RCAW staff at the 3‑month and 9‑month points.