About Respite Care of San Antonio

Caring for Children with Special Needs Since 1987

Children with disabilities are nearly four times more likely to experience abuse and neglect than their non-disabled peers (JAMA Network, 2024). Without proper care, they face greater dependency, diminished quality of life, and reduced life expectancy.

Children with complex medical conditions often need daily treatments that prevent them from enrolling in traditional childcare programs. Without access to childcare, they fall behind developmentally, and parents (often single parents) may be forced to stay home, increasing the risk of financial distress.

For nearly four decades, Respite Care of San Antonio (RCSA) has been here to change that.

A young boy in a checked shirt sitting in a wheelchair and smiling at something off camera

Mission

To protect, love, build trust, and nurture growth of children with special needs and complex medical conditions while strengthening the families who care for them.

Vision

For children with special needs and their families to be empowered, supported, and equipped to reach their maximum potential and thrive in every stage of life.

Smiling young girl sits at a table wearing a blue shirt, hands behind her head.

Our Story

Respite Care of San Antonio was founded in 1987 to provide support for families caring for a child with developmental disabilities. At the time, respite services at this level had never been offered in our community.

Over the years, RCSA’s programs have proven to reduce caregiver stress, strengthen families, and help prevent child abuse.

In 1997, our mission expanded to address severe child abuse in the community. Since then, RCSA has provided care for children with special needs from across Texas who have been taken into the State’s protective custody as a result of abuse and neglect.

Our Values

At RCSA, our values guide every action, decision, and interaction

Commitment

We pursue a shared vision and work together for the success of children, families, teammates, and partners.

Compassion

We demonstrate care in our words and actions, embrace diversity, and practice trauma-informed approaches.

Excellence

We strive to be our best, innovate, learn from mistakes, and celebrate successes as a diverse and inclusive team.

Integrity

We are accountable, consistent, and truthful, honoring our commitments while upholding our mission, vision, and values.

What We Do

Today, our wrap-around respite services continue to meet urgent needs. By providing care for children with special needs, we reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglectful environments while giving families the support they need to stay strong.

Our programs include:

  • Developmental Childcare Programs – Specialized early education for children with complex medical and developmental needs. A nurturing space where learning, therapy, and play come together.

  • Community Respite Programs – Short-term care that gives parents relief while children build skills and friendships. Families regain balance while children thrive in a supportive environment.

  • 24/7 Residential Children’s Homes – A safe, loving home for children removed from dangerous environments. Here, healing begins, milestones are celebrated, and trauma is met with compassion.

Explore Our Programs
A smiling young boy in a blue shirt, clutching a white ball
A young boy on a slide smiling at a caregiver, more children in line for the slide behind him
Toddler boy dressed in green laughing while playing with a ball
Toddler smiling while holding a children’s book outdoors at RCSA
A young boy smiles proudly showing off his bag of collected Easter eggs
Young boy sitting on playground equipment and looking at the camera
Little girl in red gingham dress happily playing a toy drum in a playroom

Our Journey Since 1987

1987

Our Beginning!

Respite Care of San Antonio was founded to provide relief to parents and guardians caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.                                    

Davidson House Opens

With funding from the Davidson Family and the community, the Davidson Respite House opened its doors to provide emergency respite care for abused and neglected children with special needs.                         

RCSA Offers Full-Time Childcare

Full-time childcare was added to help children with special needs and their families reach their full potential

Medical Program Launches

Through a collaboration with University Health System, nursing care is provided on-site for children in our children’s homes and community programs.

Second Respite Home Added

Najim Family Respite Home shelter graciously donated by Harvey E. Najim.

Third Respite Home Opens

H-E-B Family Respite Home opened thanks to a gift from H-E-B. In the same year, a gift from Cindy and Vincent Dawson created the Dawson Learning Center.

RCSA Recognized as “Nonprofit of the Year”

San Antonio Business Journal names RCSA Midsize Nonprofit of the Year. and honored Audrey Mackey as a 2018 Nonprofit Employee. 

Remote-Learning Center Launched

RCSA launched a remote-learning center on campus to support children when in-person schooling was unavailable due to COVID-19.

RCSA is a Texas Rising Star!

RCSA’s early childhood education center became four-star Texas Rising Star Certified.

Milestones Reached

For the first time in our history, EVERY child in Respite Care’s programs achieved developmental milestones each quarter. Whether living with us, attending childcare, or participating in our day-out program, each child showed remarkable progress through evidence-based assessments.

Programs Expanded and Recognized

Two new classrooms were added to our Developmental Childcare Program, Summer Camp grew to a second location, and our Emergency Shelter was named the safest in Texas by the Department of Family & Protective Services.

Certified in Trauma-Informed Care

Respite Care achieved national certification as a Trauma-Informed Care organization and earned “active” status in Texas’ Child-Centered Care initiative to improve the state’s foster care system.

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