In 2019, Congress passed and the President signed into law, a $2 million increase for the Lifespan Respite Care Program. Through this program 37 and the District of Columbia have received grants to establish or enhance their statewide Lifespan Respite Care Programs. States have, for instance, established statewide databases of available respite care and provided vouchers to families to choose and purchase quality respite care.

The Lifespan Respite Care Program received $6.1 million in FY 2020. The Society is advocating for additional funding for the program and recently 28 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee requesting $10 million in Fiscal Year 2021. The Society is also advocating to reauthorize the program for 5 years.