WI lifespan respite enhancement initiative - the wisconsin department of health services, in partnership with the respite care association of wisconsin (rcaw) and key stakeholders, proposes to…

The State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services received a $400,000 Cooperative Agreement from the Administration for Community Living (Administration on Aging) under the Lifespan Respite Care Program (CFDA 93.072) awarded on September 30, 2025, with a completion date of September 29, 2028. The Wisconsin Lifespan Respite Enhancement Initiative aims to expand and strengthen the state's respite care infrastructure by building on enhancements developed under a previous lifespan respite grant. In partnership with the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (RCAW) and key stakeholders, the project will enhance caregiver well-being and access to respite services through expanded person-centered, family-directed grant programs, statewide outreach campaigns, and data-driven strategies targeting underserved regions. The initiative will also strengthen Wisconsin's respite care workforce by expanding the provider registry and increasing national respite care provider training completions by 25% annually to ensure consistent access to qualified professionals across the state.

The project will produce an annual program impact and outcome report, program evaluation briefs, data dashboards, regional gap analysis reports, awareness campaign materials, community fact sheets, outreach and advocacy tools, training and provider support materials, strategic planning frameworks, and impact testimonials. Expected outcomes include improved caregiver and care recipient well-being, greater access to respite services, an expanded and strengthened respite workforce, data-driven system improvements, and sustainable coordinated system infrastructure. RCAW, as the primary sub-awardee, will contribute to workforce development and training initiatives supporting the program's objectives to build a coordinated and accessible respite system for family caregivers across the lifespan.

WI lifespan respite enhancement initiative - the wisconsin department of health services, in partnership with the respite care association of wisconsin (rcaw) and key stakeholders, proposes to expand and strengthen the state's respite care infrastructure by building enhancements developed under the previous lifespan respite care program grant (HHS-2022-ACL-AOA-lrli-0049). The overarching goal is to sustain a coordinated, accessible, and high-quality respite system that supports family caregivers across the lifespan, reduces caregiver burden, and improves health and well-being for both family caregivers and care recipients. Project objectives include: 1. Enhance caregiver well-being and access to respite services by expanding person-centered, family-directed grant programs, increasing awareness through statewide outreach, and implementing data-driven strategies to address gaps in underserved regions; and 2. Strengthen the respite care workforce by expanding the provider registry, increasing national respite care provider training for wisconsin training completions by 25% annually, and ensuring consistent access to qualified, trained professionals across the state. Project outcomes include 1. Improved caregiver and care recipient well-being; 2. Greater access to respite services; 3. Expanded and strengthened respite workforce; 4. Data-driven system improvement; and 5. Sustainable and coordinated system infrastructure the expected products include an annual program impact/outcome report, program evaluation briefs, data dashboards, regional GAP analysis report, awareness campaign materials, community fact sheets, outreach and advocacy tools, training and provider support materials, strategic planning framework, and impact testimonial compilation.