We believe respite is vital for the health and well-being of everyone in the disability community. Respite is proven to reduce stress on parents and caregivers while children or young adults in their care receive important time with their peers. We have designed the following opportunities to support the entire family unit while providing meaningful connection for participants.
Contact TRE’s respiteprograms@tre.org for more information.
We welcome volunteers or community groups too — our programs are growing and we are looking for helpers!
Click to listen to TRE’s Sarah Nolan discuss our respite programs on the Need Project podcast!
BREAK TIME – 3 mos to 21 years
Break Time is TRE’s longest-running respite program, providing respite sessions on scheduled Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Parents and caregivers can rest assured knowing that their children are under direct supervision of a medical professional, experienced behavior specialist, and other professional staff. Each child receives one-on-one care and attention from dedicated volunteers, most of which are cadets from the United States Air Force Academy, students from area colleges, local law enforcement, and other community helpers. All take pride in volunteering their time and efforts to make every Break Time a fun, safe experience.
Break Time Flyer
Break Time Enrollment Packet
“Break Time is such a huge deal! You don’t realize how having a special needs child leaves you on “high alert” all the time over safety issues and challenges until you suddenly get a break and don’t have to worry. Your whole body and mind are able to relax!”
How Much Does Break Time Cost?
In Colorado Springs, a total fee of $10 covers all the children in the family and nobody is turned away for lack of ability to pay. A fully completed enrollment packet and updated information are the only additional requirements for families.
Can Siblings Come To Break Time?
Yes! Siblings are encouraged to be part of Break Time. Neurotypical siblings learn from the interactions they have with children with disabilities and enjoy Break Time as much as every child attending. They are also given one-on-one attention, enjoy fun crafts, and play as they wish. This affords parents the opportunity to maximize the free time to spend together.
How Do We Sign Up?
Please print, fill out, scan, and email the Break Time Enrollment Packet to respiteprograms@tre.org. Please complete the included sibling form for any additional children that will be attending.
Days and times vary with facility and volunteer availability. Sarah can also provide advice and notifications about other respite resources and fun events.
What Else Should I Know?
- All participation must be confirmed prior to the sessions by Break Time Staff. There is no capability for unscheduled drop-offs or crisis respite.
- TRE offers multiple options for Break Time respite, but enrollment packets and updated information must be completed well in advance of every Break Time session to coordinate the necessary professional support for each child. We learn what makes every child happy and what keeps them safe, busy, and entertained.
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This program is grant-funded and independent of all other TRE programs and waivers. Most Break Time participants are not active TRE clients. We exist to fill respite gaps for children and young adults from age three months through 21 years with all manner of cognitive, physical, emotional and social delays and disabilities.
COOKING TIME – pre-teens, teens, and young adults
An exciting feature of Break Time is Cooking Time. We work closely with our partners at The Arc Pikes Peak Region to use their fully accessible kitchen in Colorado Springs. Participants join local volunteers to develop skills, learn recipes, and share a meal together. Everyone pitches in with the cleanup too! Please note: This program is open to pre-teens, teens, and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are already participating in either Break Time or Gathering Time.
“Cooking has been an interest for my son for a long time, as he would love to be a chef one day. For him to go to cooking class makes him so happy, and he comes home confident wanting to cook for us.”
GATHERING TIME – 18 to 35 years
Gathering Time offers essential respite for parents and caregivers of young adults ages 18-35 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Go on a date, run errands, or just have a break while the young adults in your care enjoy fun activities and socialize in an inclusive setting. Each event offers a fun theme — anything from holidays to Star Wars!
Gathering Time Flyer
Gathering Time Application
“Our son has attended two Gathering Time Events and a Family event. After the first one, as soon as we got into the car he said, ‘Can I go back again? That was fun!’ Wow! Hats off to the great group putting this on.”
OUR TIME – pre-teens and teens
Our Time provides a welcoming environment for pre-teens and teens who have siblings with disabilities. Youngsters enjoy fun activities while connecting with other siblings who experience similar situations, creating a sense of shared understanding.
Our Time Flyer
Our Time Application
“Our Time goes beyond mere playdates; it’s a lifeline for my children. The understanding and empathy they gain from sharing their stories with others who face similar challenges have proven invaluable. Witnessing them laugh, share, and support each other has brought tears of joy.”
Meet The Respite Team!
Sarah, Respite Programs Specialist
Sarah has been with The Resource Exchange since 2015 and continues to be in awe of the expansion of the program. With the addition of Gathering Time and Our Time, she is thrilled to serve more young adults through respite. She is also a certified MANDT trainer and loves sharing her skills with her fellow employees. She is a native of Colorado Springs and her husband, Rocky, have been married for over 15 years. Sarah is a special needs mom herself and has a teenage son and daughter. She enjoys cooking, crocheting baby blankets for her friends and family and cheering on the Denver Broncos.
Stephani, Respite Programs Assistant
Stephani started with TRE in 2022 as a Respite Programs Assistant. She has been providing respite care for friends and co-workers for 20+ years. She has managed several offices, worked in human resources, customer service, and run her own business over the past several years. Stephani happily homeschools her three kids. When free time is available, Stephani, her husband, and the kids, love to get outdoors and spend time together. Stephani is very excited to be a part of the TRE Respite Program team and loves getting to know all of the participants.
Rachel, Respite Programs Assistant
Rachel is a wife, mom of 3, and Colorado native that enjoys all things coffee, traveling, and enjoying all the amazing activities Colorado has to offer. 
Leana, Behavioral Specialist
Leana received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2000 and was trained in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Erik Lovaas of The Lovaas Center. She began providing in-home ABA therapy, specializing in children with autism, and moved to the Bay Area to continue to provide in-home ABA, working with various consultants and school districts. Leana returned to her home state of Colorado in 2004 and continued to provide in-home ABA as well as center–based therapy. She joined The Resource Exchange shortly thereafter where she provided in-home services through Family Support, the Children’s Extensive Support (CES) Medicaid waiver, and Early Intervention. She received her Behavior Analysis instruction from University of North Texas and became a Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) in May of 2011. She joined Break Time as the Behavior Specialist in 2015. She enjoys working with adults with disabilities as well as children with autism. When she isn’t working, Leana enjoys running, skiing, snowboarding, spending time with family, friends, and her dog.
Sarah, Behavior Specialist
Sarah became part of the Break Time team as a Behavior Specialist in 2021. Sarah is originally from Maine but received her BA in Psychology from the University of South Florida in 2014. She then relocated to Colorado Springs, where she began providing both center-based and in-home ABA therapy. Sarah received her M.Ed. in Behavior Analysis from the University of Cincinnati and became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in February 2018. Sarah enjoys hiking, camping, sports, and spending time outdoors with her husband, their 4-year-old son, and their three dogs.
Nicole, On-Site Medical Professional
Nicole has been a Service Coordinator servicing adults with waiver benefits with the Resource Exchange since 2021 and has worked with children in a medical setting since 2011. Nicole holds an associate degree in nursing and a Bachelor’s in Science degree in Healthcare Management. Nicole is originally from Kansas and moved to Colorado Springs in 2012 with her three children, Jordyn 20, McKenzie 18, and Colin 16. Nicole enjoys volunteering and working with children and adults within the community. Nicole’s favorite hobbies are cooking and reading in the winter and gardening, hiking, camping, and white-water rafting in the warmer weather months.
