--- title: Strengthening Recruitment and Retention of Respite Workers description: Strengthen your respite workforce with curated resources on recruitment, retention, and career ladders. Free toolkit for respite employers and agencies. --- [![PHI Logo](https://www.phinational.org/wp-content/themes/phi/static/images/phi-logo.png) Respite Workforce Toolkit](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-home) [Home](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-home) [Recruitment & Retention](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-recruitment?hsLang=en) [Career Development](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-ladders?hsLang=en) [Supporting Literature](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-recruitment?hsLang=en#literature) PHI · Workforce Toolkit # Strengthening Respite Workforce Recruitment & Retention A curated collection of recruitment, retention, and career development resources for respite employers — from self-directed employers to agency leadership. Resources 25 Recruitment & retention 15 Career development 14 Supporting literature [Recruitment & Retention](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-recruitment?hsLang=en) [Career Development](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-ladders?hsLang=en) [Supporting Literature](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-recruitment?hsLang=en#literature) ## About This Toolkit Between 2024 and 2034, PHI projects [9.7 million job openings](https://www.phinational.org/resource/direct-care-workers-in-the-united-states-key-facts-2025/?hsLang=en) for direct care workers in the United States. Respite workers — a subset of this workforce — provide the temporary support that helps family caregivers sustain the work of caregiving without burning out. Reliable respite care requires a reliable workforce. Building one means investing in recruitment, retention, and career development. This toolkit offers vetted resources to support that work. Whether you're part of a state and local government agency, home care provider organization, volunteer respite program, community and faith-based organization, a self-directed employer, or even an independent respite provider, you'll find practical guidance for strengthening your workforce practices. All resources were evaluated using a scoring rubric developed by PHI's [Research and Evaluation team](https://www.phinational.org/service/research-strategy/?hsLang=en). Want personalized support for your respite workforce strategies? [Schedule a Free Consultation](https://www.phinational.org/contact-us/?utm_source=respite-workforce-toolkit&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=home&hsLang=en) ### [25 Resources Recruitment & Retention Practical strategies, toolkits, and templates covering program development, hiring, messaging, worker support, and leadership — curated for respite employers. Explore resources](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-recruitment?hsLang=en) ### [15 Resources Career Development Entry-point training, microcredentials, career maps, and implementation guides — helping respite workers build meaningful advancement pathways. Explore resources](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-ladders?hsLang=en) ### [14 References Supporting Literature Research and evidence supporting healthy recruitment, retention, and career development across the direct care workforce. View literature](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-recruitment?hsLang=en#literature) ## Search All Resources Resource toolkit curated in partnership between [PHI](https://www.phinational.org/?hsLang=en) and [Respite Care Association of Wisconsin](https://respitecarewi.org/) 261 Madison Avenue, Suite 913, New York, NY 10016  |  tel: (718) 402-7766 Questions? [Schedule a free consultation](https://www.phinational.org/contact-us/?utm_source=respite-workforce-toolkit&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=home&hsLang=en) This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,666,667 with 75 percent funded by ACL/HHS and $416,667, or 25 percent, funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government. [![PHI logo](https://pages.phinational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/PHI_Horiz_color.png?width=760&height=205&name=PHI_Horiz_color.png "PHI logo")](https://www.phinational.org/?hsLang=en) [Contact us](https://www.google.com/)