Respite Care, Inc.

Innovative and Exemplary (2019):

Respite Care, Inc. in Fort Collins, CO, provides short-term and overnight respite care to more than 165 children with developmental disabilities from infancy to age 21. It was founded in April of 1981 by a group of parents who recognized the need for respite care in their community. In 2026, after a successful capital campaign, Respite Care, Inc. was able to move into a new building that will allow them to double the number of children with disabilities and their families who are served.  Respite Care is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, with the exception of a few national holidays. Rates are affordable — parents pay on a sliding fee scale according to their income, with an average hourly rate of only $4.50 per hour per child.

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.  The new building will allow for enhanced sensory support with a year-round sensory garden and specialized accommodations for children with sensory impairments as well as more overnight care rooms and expanded programming.

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 additional 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 initially reviewed after three years to assess continued status as Innovative and Exemplary, and every five years thereafter. Following their second review, recognition of Respite Care, Inc. as Innovative and Exemplary was extended to January 1, 2031.