Your Role
Parents or primary caregivers of individuals with disabilities often struggle to find someone who can help them care for their child. They are often tired and worn down.
As a respite worker, you will provide respite and supported living services for individuals with disabilities on the DSPD Medicaid waiver by helping your new friends explore hobbies, learn skills, and take them out into the community. You can bring joy, hope, and relief to their families!
Your Role
Parents or primary caregivers of individuals with disabilities often struggle to find someone who can help them care for their child. They are often tired and worn down.
As a respite worker, you will provide respite and supported living services for individuals with disabilities on the DSPD Medicaid waiver and/or DSPD waiting list by helping your new friends explore hobbies, learn skills, and take them out into the community. You can bring joy, hope, and relief to their families!
Our Program
Funded by a grant from DSPD, the Utah Prader-Willi Syndrome Association—in partnership with Tanner Dance at the University of Utah—has created the UtahRespite.Care program to recruit, train, and connect respite workers with DSPD-funded families.
During the initial phase of this program in 2024, respite workers provided over 2,000 hours of respite care for Utah families. During Phase 2 in 2025, we continued the program by adding families and respite workers from additional counties throughout Utah.
Benefits
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Flexible job with a pay rate up to $22 per hour.
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Build lasting relationships and networking opportunities.
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Learn life skills and gain valuable experience.
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Find fulfillment in making a difference.
Please Note: UtahRespite.Care reserves the right to give the stipends in accordance with the program objectives of the grant.
Participation Requirements
Respite workers who have previously participated in this program are encouraged to continue to update their online profile, so participating families can find and hire them.
1. Background Check
Must be at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, and be able to pass a background check.
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4. Complete Training
Complete the UtahRespite.Care online Respite Worker training modules
( approximately 2 hours ) and verification survey.​
2. Complete Application
Click the "Apply" button and fill out the UtahRespite.Care respite worker application.
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5. Online Profile
Share your profile information with DSPD-funded and DSPD waiting list families on the members-only UtahRespite.Care website.
3. Be Accepted
UtahRespite.Care will review and onboard applicants at our discretion.
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6. Get Hired
Get hired by DSPD-funded or DSPD waiting list families and provide respite care for individuals with disabilities!
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Participation Requirements
Respite workers who have previously participated in this program are encouraged to apply and create an online profile, so participating families can find and hire them. These individuals are not eligible to receive another stipend or attend our in-person training.
1. Background Check
Must be at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, and be able to pass a background check.
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4. Complete Training
7. Get Hired
Get hired by at least one DSPD-funded family and provide respite care for an individual with disabilities for a minimum of 2 hours per week (hopefully more!).​
2. Complete Application
Click the "Apply" button and fill out the UtahRespite.Care respite worker application.
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5. In-Person Training
Attend a two-day in-person conference, which includes side-by-side training at Tanner Dance at the University of Utah campus.
8. Online Meeting
Attend an online meeting with other respite workers who are participating in the UtahRespite.Care program.
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3. Be Accepted
Up to 60 respite worker applicants will be interviewed and selected to participate in the 2025 UtahRespite.Care training and matching program.​
6. Online Profile
Share your profile information with DSPD-funded families on the members-only UtahRespite.Care respite worker directory.
9. Complete Survey
Complete a feedback survey about your experience with the UtahRespite.Care program.
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Testimonials
Grace | Respite Worker
“This opportunity changed not only the major I'm studying, but my outlook on what is important in life and what is worth my energy. Working for these families has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
Mikayla | Respite Worker
“As an occupational therapy student, I am interested in working in early intervention. This opportunity has changed my direction and emphasis because now I am interested in working with cerebral palsy populations and developing better diagnostic testing/early intervention to improve function despite high tone. I also feel more confident in my ability to work with kids with disabilities and have fun/develop relationships with them!”
Ben | Respite Worker
“Working as a respite worker has helped me understand how to use skills I am learning in my occupation therapy program (behavior management and feeding and eating). I also have a better understanding of the patience it takes to work with individuals with disabilities.”
Oliver | Respite Worker
“This was the most fulfilling job I’ve ever worked. Respite work has taught me a lot, and has led me to realize that I need that kind of fulfillment in my career. I think it’s something I could definitely do alongside my full-time career in the future.”
Sierra | Respite Worker
“It encouraged me to continue to use my strategies as I head back into the classroom this fall. It also has opened the possibilty of someday teaching special education.”
Drew | Respite Worker
“I feel like I now understand the difficulties these families go through but also what makes it worth it for them. In my future career as a doctor I think I will have a special place for individuals with disabilities that I work with and hopefully I will be better at working with them because of this.”