As family caregivers are recovering from the increased caregiving challenges they faced while schools and day support programs closed during the pandemic, the state should recognize the importance of respite in keeping families healthy and functional.  Center-based respite was excluded from much of the state funding from COVID on the grounds that respite is not considered a therapeutic service.  Agencies and families (particularly in the NOVA area) are struggling to find and retain qualified direct support professionals. This funding pool should be used to address this work-force crisis and should include an increase in reimbursement rates for direct support professionals who provide the vital support of respite services.