IPHI INITIATIVES

Medical Respite Communications Toolkit

The 2026 Medical Respite Communications Toolkit, developed by the Illinois Public Health Institute in collaboration with the National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC), provides a comprehensive suite of communications resources designed to help medical respite programs educate partners, strengthen referrals, build community collaborations, enhance sustainability, and expand awareness of medical respite across Illinois.

A Guide to Medical Respite

Organized into a series of guided sections, this toolkit walks users through key topics - from understanding medical respite and the referral pathways, to building partnerships, engaging communities, evaluating outreach efforts, and supporting long-term program grown and sustainability.

Explore the resources from the 2026 Medical Respite Communications Toolkit below or learn more about IPHI and the Illinois Medical Respite Capacity Building Initiative.

1: Identify Community Partners

Community Resource Audit (PDF)
Map and assess key community partners

Outreach Tracking Toolkit (Excel Spreadsheet)
Track your progress and provide feedback for improvements

2: Introduce Your Program

Introductory Email Templates
Outreach with ready-to-use emails for key decision-makers

The Journey to Recovery (PDF)
Define medical respite care in Illinois and outline its core services

Medical Respite Eligibility & Referral Pathways (PDF)
Clarify patient eligibility criteria and referrals

Illinois Medical Respite Network Map (PDF)
Showcase your program alongside statewide partners

3: Highlight the Benefits

Program Presentation Deck (PowerPoint Slides)
Present medical respite to diverse audiences

The Benefits of Medical Respite (PDF)
Highlight key outcomes and values

Patient Scenarios
Illustrate examples of eligibility, referrals, and impact

4: Answer Common Questions

FAQs: Referral Partners (PDF)
Answer common questions from hospital and referral partners

FAQs: Potential Programs (PDF)
Address questions for organizations exploring medical respite

Medical Respite Discharge Guide (PDF)
Share common case scenarios to clarify patient fit

5: Set Up Sustainability

NIMRC: Medical Respite Care Toolkit
Information to plan, develop, and sustain programs

NIMRC: Financing Approaches
Resources for funding, negotiating, and staffing programs

NIMRC: Federal Policy Priorities
Learn more about NHCHC’s policy and advocacy work

Communications Training Deck (PowerPoint Slides)
Improve internal capacity to communicate about your program