For families of children and young adults with a disability, respite is vital for health and well-being. Parents, guardians, and caregivers need to rest and recharge. TRE’s respite programs provide essential respite for parents and caregivers to run errands, have a date night, or rest how they choose.
TRE’s Break Time, Our Time, and Gathering Time are unique and meaningful programs designed for children and young adults to enjoy fun activities in a safe, welcoming setting.
We welcome individual volunteers or community groups as our programs are growing and we are looking for helpers! Contact TRE’s Respite Programs Specialist, Sarah Nolan at snolan@tre.org or (719) 338-1718 for more information about how to participate in our respite programs or help at an upcoming event.
BREAK TIME – 3 mos to 21 years
Break Time respite sessions are available on scheduled Friday nights and Saturday afternoons throughout the year. All children are under direct supervision of a registered nurse, experienced behavior specialist, and other professional staff. Each child receives one-on-one care and attention from dedicated volunteers and local students. Most volunteers 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.
“We can’t thank you enough for offering Break Time to families like ours! It’s 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 about those things. It’s like your whole body and mind are able to relax. Anyhow, it really is a humongous blessing to us! Thank you!”
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. Woodland Park takes optional donations. A fully completed enrollment packet and updated information are the only additional requirements for families.
Can siblings come to Break Time?
Yes! A unique feature of the Colorado Springs sessions is that siblings of children with disabilities or extensive needs 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 the time to spend together or to do much-needed errands. Our Woodland Park sessions, while smaller and more limited in capacity, offer a convenient location for residents of Park and Teller counties.
- 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 clients 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.
Register for Break Time
Please print, fill out, scan, and email to snolan@tre.org. Please print and complete the sibling form for any additional children that will be attending.
Enrollment Packets for Colorado Springs sessions for El Paso, Teller, and Park county participants:
Break Time Enrollment Packet
Break Time Enrollment Packet with Siblings attending.spanish
Days and times vary with facility and volunteer availability. Sarah can also provide advice and notifications about other respite resources and fun events.
Break Time is FUN!
- Fun activities are planned including theme nights and seasonal fun!
- Some Break Time locations include pool tables and other fun for all ages. Other activities are available from painting to arts and crafts.
- Depending on location and season, children attending Break Time can enjoy time outdoors too!
- One recent addition to Break Time is Cooking Time. Cooking Time is available to pre-teens and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities that are already participating in Break Time. Located at The Arc Pikes Peak Region’s new fully adaptable kitchen in Colorado Springs, participants and local volunteers work together to build skills, have fun in the kitchen, and share a meal. Everyone is in on the clean up too!
NEW in 2023! OUR TIME – pre-teens and teens
This new TRE program is for pre-teens and teens who have siblings with disabilities. Our Time provides a welcoming environment for participants to enjoy activities, make friends, and be themselves. Connecting with other siblings who experience similar situations and feelings can provide a sense of understanding. 
GATHERING TIME – 18 to 35 years
This TRE program 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 a welcoming setting!
“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.”
“Thank you, TRE, for your priceless Gathering Time program. Our daughter benefits greatly from the opportunity to interact with her peers in such a positive environment. It is easy to see that Sarah Nolan’s contagious energy and creativity are the driving force behind this successful program. We also benefit from this valuable time. The parents get a date night while our daughter, Emily, gets an energetic, fun evening. Well done, Sarah, volunteers, and TRE!”
WATCH: KOAA’s coverage of Gathering Time!
Meet The 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 she is enjoying the new young adult population. She is also a certified MANDT trainer and enjoys 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. 
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.
Carol, On-Site Staff
Carol is a Senior Service Coordinator with The Resource Exchange’s Early Intervention program. Carol holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science Education from the University of Central Florida and has worked with children and adults with I/DD since 2012. Carol believes in supporting those with I/DD and acting as a community ally and advocate to ensure those who are receiving services have their voices heard. Carol has been married to her husband Thomas for 17 years and has two children, Melanie (14), and Joanna (9). Outside of work Carol enjoys making memories with her family.
