Respite Care, Inc.

Innovative and Exemplary:

Respite Care, Inc. in Fort Collins, CO, provides short-term respite care to 75 children with developmental disabilities from infancy to age 21, and up to six children in an overnight program. Working closely with families, Respite Care, Inc. plans activities that enhance child development, and provide children with opportunities to socialize, make friends, be creative, play, exercise, and participate in integrated community outings. Enhancement activities including music therapy, an annual teen prom, a 10-week summer day camp, a weeklong wilderness camp, ice cream socials, Respitalities (monthly events for Respite Care children and their siblings), and human-animal bonding experiences are designed to provide children with unique experiences, to promote their development, and to encourage them to move toward greater independence. Although professional staff provide respite care, volunteers enable day camps to operate.  Volunteers also provide yoga, art, music therapy, nutrition education, and other recreational programs at no cost. As a member of Directors of Volunteers in Agencies, Respite Care, Inc. collaborates with other volunteer managers to research and discuss best practices in volunteer management.

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Programs are reviewed every three years to assess continued status as Innovative and Exemplary. Following their review, recognition of  Respite Care, Inc. as Innovative and Exemplary was extended to January 1, 2026.