Navy Respite Care in Onslow County

Taking care of a child with special needs can be a full-time job and require additional support. If you are a Navy family in Onslow County and have a dependent family member with special needs, the Exceptional Family Member (EFM) Respite Care program may be a good option. 

Respite care gives parents and caregivers a temporary break by connecting you with a professional caregiver so you can run errands, take time for yourself, or enjoy a few hours with friends. In partnership with Child Care Aware of America, One Place helps provide support to Navy families and local providers in Onslow County. 

If you’re interested in pursuing respite care for your family—or if you’re interested in becoming a provider and supporting your community—One Place is here to help. 

What is respite care?

Respite care for Navy families in Onslow County provides short-term relief for primary caregivers. This can be for a few hours or an entire day and it can be arranged daily, weekly, or as often as you need the extra help. 

In nearly all scenarios, a caregiver will come over to your home to spend time with your child. They may help with homework, enjoy game night, or watch a movie together. This time is designed to provide parents with extra time and support. 

How do I qualify for the program? 

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a Department of Defense program designed to provide support for service members who have a dependent family member with special needs. Navy families who are eligible for EFM respite care must be: 

• The Sailor is active duty or Reservist on active duty orders 
• The Sailor is currently enrolled in the Navy’s Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) 
• The Sailor has a child currently residing with him/her, enrolled in EFMP, birth through 18 years, and assigned category 4 or 5. 

What’s included in respite care? 

Families eligible for respite care will receive: 

• 40 hours of care per family per month 
• Care provided by well-trained, background-screened providers monitored by One Place 
• Respite care services in your family’s home 

How to apply for respite care 

For families: 

One Place provides case management for Navy families enrolled in EFM respite care and offers access to resources in the Onslow County community. When you sign up for the program, we will start by gathering basic information and scheduling a home visit. During this time, we’ll review enrollment forms and program policies. 

Once all the paperwork has been completed, we match providers with families via an enhanced referral. This means we’ll take your family’s unique needs and desires and match you with a personalized referral list of potential providers for you to choose from. 

You can apply for respite care through Child Care Aware of America by clicking here.  

For providers: 

We’re always recruiting providers to serve families in Onslow County. If you have a passion for child care and supporting members of your community, consider becoming a provider. 

We offer providers in-service training, technical assistance, and compliance management between you, families, and Child Care Aware of America. 

If you’re interested in becoming a provider, reach out to Kara Darnell at Kara.Darnell@oneplaceonslow.org. 

We’re here to help. 

We’d be happy to share additional information and answer any questions you may have about respite care and how it can help support you and your family. 

Learn more from Child Care Aware of America here or reach out to Kara Darnell at Kara.Darnell@oneplaceonslow.org.