In spite of the growing awareness and development of respite services, many families in need of them have little or no access. This is especially true for families whose children have emotional handicaps. A rationale for respite services supports parents' entitlement to respite care, its importance to all family members, and its help in improving family effectiveness. Respite services consist of in-home care, which may include homemaker, sitter/companion, and parent trainer services; and out-of-home care, which encompasses care in the provider's home, foster care or licensed family care, group day care, group home residential care, respite care provided by residential treatment facilities, crisis nurseries and emergency respite care facilities, and community services providing respite care as a secondary purpose. Attributes and training required for respite providers are outlined. Public policies have restricted development of respite care, by creating: eligibility criteria which exclude many families, inconsistencies in funding, and other conditions of service. Efforts are being made at many levels, from local advocacy groups to federal legislation, to bring respite care into the service delivery system. The report concludes with a list of 59 references, containing both published and organizational sources. (JDD)