The Easterseals Iowa Respite program provides temporary care for children and adults with disabilities, allowing parents/caregivers a break while providing the clients with a safe and supported social environment. Regularly scheduled respite weekends are held at Easterseals Iowa Camp Sunnyside twice monthly. Emergency care is also available. Respite services provide all the amenities at Camp Sunnyside including boating, swimming, horseback riding and much more.
Respite serves children age four and older and adults.
Funding Accepted: Wellpoint, Iowa Total Care, Molina, Fee for Service/HIPP Medicaid Waiver, Private Pay
To Apply for Respite Services
Respite Camp Applications are now available. Applications that are completed prior to December 6th, 2024, will be able to register for the first quarter of 2025 on December 2nd, 2024. Applications submitted after December 6th, 2024 will need to wait for second quarter registration.
To complete an application and if you already have an account, please visit our Campsite Portal.
If you have previously used the Campsite portal, your previous login should be used. If you are unsure of your password, please click the “What's my password” link on the portal login page.
If you are new to services and have not used our Campsite portal before, please create an account and complete the required forms to register at the following link: Create Campsite Account
If you need a paper application, send an Email request to: campandrespite@eastersealsia.org
For paper applications, please send completed materials to Camp Sunnyside using one of the following methods:
Email: campandrespite@eastersealsia.org
Fax: 515-289-1281
Mail or Drop Off: Easterseals Iowa, Attn: Camp Program and Support Specialist, 401 NE 66th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Partial or incomplete applications will not be accepted. If you are unsure if there is missing information, please contact our Program and Support Specialist at (515) 309-2375.
Please Email all medication changes, medical needs, and diagnosis updates to campandrespite@eastersealsia.org
If you are a new client joining our respite services, you will be contacted by our Intake Coordinator once the application packet and required materials have been received. After the intake process is completed, you will then be able to register for the weekend respite.
To Request Respite Sessions
Registration for weekend respite is done on a quarterly basis. The quarterly registration requests will open on the first of each month at 8:30am, one month prior to the start of the new quarter. The registration request process will close on the 15th of each month, one more prior to the start of the new quarter. Please note, this is an online request only. You will be contacted via mail/email confirming the weekends you are registered. All registrations should be completed by going to the Campsite Portal Link.
If you are using waiver funding, please talk to your case manager before submitting the online request form. It is important to ensure there are enough units issued to cover all of the respite weekends requested.
Private Pay: $692 per weekend
Non-Children's Mental Health Waiver units: 184 units per weekend - T2036 $3.55/unit
Children's Mental Health Waiver units: 184 units per weekend - T2036 $3.76/unit
Check out our Respite Packing List to prepare for your Respite Weekend!
1st Quarter 2025: January, February March
Registration Open Date: December 2, 2024 at 8:30am
Close Date: December 15, 2024
Register at the Campsite Portal
2nd Quarter 2025: April, May, June
Registration Open Date: March 3, 2025 at 8:30am
Close Date: March 15, 2025
Register at the Campsite Portal
3rd Quarter 2025: July, August September
Registration Open Date: June 2, 2025 at 8:30am
End Date: June 15, 2025
Register at the Campsite Portal
4th Quarter 2025: October, November, December
Registration Open Date: September 2, 2025 at 8:30am
Close Date: September 15, 2025
Register at the Campsite Portal
If you should have any questions, please contact our Program and Support Specialist at 515-309-2375 or campandrespite@eastersealsia.org.
