If you do not have one or more people in mind to provide respite, regional centers usually have a list of approved respite agency “vendors.” These agencies hire, train, and supervise respite workers to provide these services for families. You or another family member can become a “vendor” of the regional center so you can hire a respite worker. To do this, you must get a “voucher” from the regional center. Then you can hire someone and bill the regional center. If you hire a respite worker, you must train, monitor, and pay them through a Financial Management Service (FMS) provider.^[1]Sections 4685.7, 4685.8, and 4688.21. An FMS is your co-employer of the respite worker you hire. The regional center can give you information about FMS providers in your area.

A regional center vendor can often hire the respite worker you choose for your child. This way your child gets respite services from someone you are comfortable with, and the vendor handles all the details of paying the worker and billing the regional center.