Developmental Disability Services

Developmental Disability Respite Program

KVC Missouri’s Community-Based Respite and In-Home Respite programs provide youth with opportunities to develop independent living skills.

Community-Based Respite Services

A specially designed respite home is available to both St. Louis County and City residents for day and overnight respite care, completely free to families, providing a secure and supportive environment for youth. This includes a structured routine, needs-based programming, and a safe environment that supports the child’s move toward self-sufficiency. As children learn life skills, they participate in activities that help transfer these skills across settings. Day services are available during spring break, summer vacation and winter break. Summer programming takes place on weekdays from the end of May through the second week of August.

Personalized attention is the focus, with a 3:1 child-to-staff ratio and no more than six students served by two staff members. The emphasis is always on the positive. Children enjoy pajama parties and movie nights at the respite house, as well as fun-filled adventures to places like the zoo and science museum. Additionally, kids take part in fun group activities such as arts and crafts and cooking. These activities help them learn valuable life and social skills like hygiene, safety, and academics, while building lasting memories.

Any child age 7 to 20 years who has a diagnosed developmental disability and lives in the city of St. Louis or St. Louis County can qualify for respite services at KVC – no referral necessary.

In-Home Respite Services

In-home respite services are completely free to families and support children in acquiring appropriate behaviors for their home and in the community by working to increase independent living and social skills. This allows children to remain in their homes and communities where they are surrounded by their support system. In-home services are at the ready whenever the family needs them, up to 500 hours per year.

Any child age 3 to 20 years who has a diagnosed developmental disability and lives in the city of St. Louis or St. Louis County can qualify for respite services provided at home – no referral necessary.

All services are individualized to meet each child’s specific needs, including:

Social skills instruction
Life skills focus
Community-based outings

For more information about our developmental disability services or other services, contact us at 1-844-424-3577

KVC Missouri’s Commitment to Helping Families

KVC Missouri’s commitment to helping families in need extends beyond our developmental disorder programs. Our caring team of over 800 professionals has been working toward our vision of a world in which every person is safe and connected to a strong family and a healthy community.