Believe In Tomorrow Children’s Foundation
Respite Housing · About this organization
What you get
Private beach or mountain lodging with kitchen, laundry, parking, Wi-Fi, TV, toys and recreation. Some stays include meals or outings; ask about a beach wheelchair or elevator access.
How to start
Your social worker sends the referral.
Good to know
- Only immediate family members may stay unless the program approves an exception.
- You must arrange and pay for transportation and most meals.
The details, as published
Families of critically ill children may apply for free private stays at seven beach or mountain properties in Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina. The child must be 17 or younger at application, in active treatment with at least monthly doctor visits, and remains eligible through age 18 and until one year after treatment or transplant; a family form and provider medical form are both required.
What help you may get
Camps And Retreats
Respite Housing — camps and retreats
Families of critically ill children may apply for free private stays at seven beach or mountain properties in Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina. The child must be 17 or younger at application, in active treatment with at least monthly doctor visits, and remains eligible through age 18 and until one year after treatment or transplant; a family form and provider medical form are both required.
Noncash help
Can cover
- beach wheelchair on request at beach properties
- complimentary activities or meals when available
- elevator at Deep Creek Lake
- kitchen
- laundry
- location-specific recreation
- parking
- Private family accommodations at participating beach or mountain properties
- private furnished accommodation
- toys, books, and games
- Wi-Fi and smart TV
Does not cover
- Most meals during the stay
- Optional activities not provided by the program
- Transportation to and from the property
- Accommodations are free of charge.
- New families receive priority for peak-season stays; frequency varies by season and availability.
- Visits must generally be at least three months apart.
Lodging Near Treatment
Respite Housing — lodging near treatment
Families of critically ill children may apply for free private stays at seven beach or mountain properties in Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina. The child must be 17 or younger at application, in active treatment with at least monthly doctor visits, and remains eligible through age 18 and until one year after treatment or transplant; a family form and provider medical form are both required.
Noncash help
Can cover
- beach wheelchair on request at beach properties
- complimentary activities or meals when available
- elevator at Deep Creek Lake
- kitchen
- laundry
- location-specific recreation
- parking
- Private family accommodations at participating beach or mountain properties
- private furnished accommodation
- toys, books, and games
- Wi-Fi and smart TV
Does not cover
- Most meals during the stay
- Optional activities not provided by the program
- Transportation to and from the property
- Accommodations are free of charge.
- New families receive priority for peak-season stays; frequency varies by season and availability.
- Visits must generally be at least three months apart.
Peer And Emotional Support
Respite Housing — peer and emotional support
Families of critically ill children may apply for free private stays at seven beach or mountain properties in Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina. The child must be 17 or younger at application, in active treatment with at least monthly doctor visits, and remains eligible through age 18 and until one year after treatment or transplant; a family form and provider medical form are both required.
Noncash help
Can cover
- beach wheelchair on request at beach properties
- complimentary activities or meals when available
- elevator at Deep Creek Lake
- kitchen
- laundry
- location-specific recreation
- parking
- Private family accommodations at participating beach or mountain properties
- private furnished accommodation
- toys, books, and games
- Wi-Fi and smart TV
Does not cover
- Most meals during the stay
- Optional activities not provided by the program
- Transportation to and from the property
- Accommodations are free of charge.
- New families receive priority for peak-season stays; frequency varies by season and availability.
- Visits must generally be at least three months apart.
Practical Items And Home Help
Respite Housing — practical items and home help
Families of critically ill children may apply for free private stays at seven beach or mountain properties in Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina. The child must be 17 or younger at application, in active treatment with at least monthly doctor visits, and remains eligible through age 18 and until one year after treatment or transplant; a family form and provider medical form are both required.
Noncash help
Can cover
- beach wheelchair on request at beach properties
- complimentary activities or meals when available
- elevator at Deep Creek Lake
- kitchen
- laundry
- location-specific recreation
- parking
- Private family accommodations at participating beach or mountain properties
- private furnished accommodation
- toys, books, and games
- Wi-Fi and smart TV
Does not cover
- Most meals during the stay
- Optional activities not provided by the program
- Transportation to and from the property
- Accommodations are free of charge.
- New families receive priority for peak-season stays; frequency varies by season and availability.
- Visits must generally be at least three months apart.
Wishes And Family Experiences
Respite Housing — wishes and family experiences
Families of critically ill children may apply for free private stays at seven beach or mountain properties in Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina. The child must be 17 or younger at application, in active treatment with at least monthly doctor visits, and remains eligible through age 18 and until one year after treatment or transplant; a family form and provider medical form are both required.
Noncash help
Can cover
- beach wheelchair on request at beach properties
- complimentary activities or meals when available
- elevator at Deep Creek Lake
- kitchen
- laundry
- location-specific recreation
- parking
- Private family accommodations at participating beach or mountain properties
- private furnished accommodation
- toys, books, and games
- Wi-Fi and smart TV
Does not cover
- Most meals during the stay
- Optional activities not provided by the program
- Transportation to and from the property
- Accommodations are free of charge.
- New families receive priority for peak-season stays; frequency varies by season and availability.
- Visits must generally be at least three months apart.
Why this may help
Wishes And Family Experiences: Beach or mountain accommodations give you private time away together, with recreation at some properties.
Check the main eligibility rules
Diagnosis
B-ALL is in scope. Cancer is explicitly eligible and B-ALL patients ages 0–17 in active treatment may qualify.
Age
Age 0 to age 17, measured at application.
- The child must be 17 or younger when applying and remains eligible through age 18.
Treatment status
Active Treatment
- A provider must verify the patient or diagnosis.
- A social worker or healthcare professional must complete the medical respite form.
- During active treatment, the child must be seen by a doctor at least monthly.
- The official eligibility section does not impose an income test.
Where you live and where your child is treated
Where your family lives
No residence restriction is published.
- Children from any hospital nationwide may apply.
Where your child is treated
No treatment-location restriction is published.
Where the service, camp, stay, or experience happens
- Respite properties in Maryland — Respite properties in Maryland — Respite properties in Maryland
- Respite properties in Delaware — Respite properties in Delaware — Respite properties in Delaware
- Respite properties in North Carolina — Respite properties in North Carolina — Respite properties in North Carolina
How to get started
Does a social worker or care team need to start it? Yes. Ask your child’s social worker or care team to begin the request.
Who can start: Healthcare Team, Parent Or Guardian, Social Worker
- After approval, request dates subject to seasonal priorities and availability.
- After program approval, contact the program to request available dates.
- Healthcare professional completes the Medical Respite Form.
- Parent or guardian completes the Family Respite Form.
- Submit any custody documentation required for separated or divorced parents.
- Submit custody documentation when applicable.
- The parent or guardian completes the Family Respite Form.
- The social worker or healthcare professional completes the Medical Respite Form.
Ways to apply or ask
- Email · programs@believeintomorrow.org — Program questions and last-minute availability.
- Online Portal · Open form or page
- Online Portal · Open form or page
- Online Portal · Open form or page
Documents to prepare
- Court-ordered custody agreement when applicable
- Family Respite Form
- Medical Respite Form
- Approved families reserve an available respite property directly with program staff.
Availability and timing
| Program | Active |
|---|---|
| Applications | Open |
| Funding or space | Not Published |
| Application window | Rolling |
| Last checked | Aug 24, 2026 |
- Peak invitation process begins in April.
- Prime season is Memorial Day–Labor Day; ski prime season is mid-December–mid-March.
- Prime stays are full weeks; off-season stays may repeat with at least three months between visits.
- Applications are accepted year-round; scheduling depends on property and season.
Limitations and things to confirm
- Capacity and seasonal priority apply.
- Family supplies transportation, most meals, and optional activities.
- Immediate family ordinarily stays overnight; exceptions require approval.
- Only immediate family members may stay unless the program approves an exception.
- Scheduling is capacity-limited and peak-season priority rules apply.
- The child must be 17 or younger at application.
- The family must arrange and pay for transportation and most meals.
- Are international respite applicants or interpreter services available, and do background checks apply?
- Which properties and dates are available, how long does review take, and how are overlapping priorities ranked?
Official sources
Program details were last verified Aug 24, 2026. Availability can change, so check the official program before applying.
- Respite Housing for Families of Critically Ill Children · checked Aug 22, 2026
- Respite Housing · checked Aug 24, 2026
- Respite Housing · checked Aug 24, 2026
- Respite Housing · checked Aug 24, 2026