Respite Care, Inc. - Embracing Extraordinary Kids and Their Families

The Heart of our Mission:

OUR PEOPLE

The specialized care we provide is only possible because we have a competent, knowledgeable team of child care specialists, administrators, board members, and volunteers. We are proud to have a staff that is not only skilled, but passionate about working with children with disabilities.

Our Child Care Specialists

Our child care specialists are trained in seizure management, feeding techniques, lifting and transferring, medication administration, g-tube feeding, and more. In addition to their trainings, they strive to ensure that Respite Care is a welcoming, accepting place where kids feel at home.

Our Administrative Team

Kaitlin Bjork

Development Director

Kaitlin joined the Respite Care team in November of 2021. She oversees all fund development and relationship building activities in the community. She also manages the Development Team and the planning and execution of all fundraising and donor events to support Respite Care’s work to embrace extraordinary kids and their families. Kaitlin is very passionate about Respite Care’s mission and being a part of the positive impact it has in our community. Kaitlin is a Fort Collins native and has a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Colorado State University. When not at Respite Care, Kaitlin loves to spend time with her husband and two girls doing anything outdoors including golfing, running, hiking, and mountain biking.

Quincy Bowles

Early Childhood Program Coordinator

Quincy has worked at Respite Care since April 2016. She was the Program Coordinator for our School Age Program Childhood Program for several years until she transitioned to our Early Childhood Program Coordinator role in the fall of 2021! She loves that she gets to be a big kid with our wonderful kiddos everyday! Her programming highlights fun ways to work on developmental goals including story times, movement, sensory, culture, and social-emotional learning. Quincy is passionate about her work and loves seeing kiddos make friendships and meet their goals in fun ways. Quincy has her Early Childhood Teacher Certification from Front Range Community College and is currently studying Audiology and Speech Language Sciences at University of Northern Colorado. Outside of Respite Care, you might find Quincy at an art museum or exploring a hiking trail!

Kristi Briles

Executive Director

Kristi has been at Respite Care since April of 2022. As the Executive Director, with the support of the Respite Care team, Kristi is responsible for the overall operation of Respite Care. This includes guiding the Program team in providing an interactive, stimulating, and safe environment for the children we serve and respite to their families. Additionally, she oversees the Development team, as they continue to enhance relationships with current and future donors and raise the necessary funds to maintain and grow the services Respite Care offers. Prior to this position, she worked in the Thompson School District for ten years as a special education administrator. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University, her Masters in Educational Leadership from Argosy University, and her Special Education Director’s License from the University of Northern Colorado. Kristi has lived in Loveland since 2000 and raised 3 children. Adam, her oldest son, graduated from Colorado State University (CSU). Her daughter Emma attends the University of Wyoming, and Erik, her youngest, is at CSU. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, golfing, gardening, cooking, swing dancing, and spending time with friends and family.

Natalia Calhoun

Program Director

Natalia began as a Child Care Specialist in 2009, was promoted to Child Care Coordinator in 2010, and in 2013 became the Program Director! She oversees everything relating to Respite Care's Child Care Programs. Natalia loves working with incredible children and their families, and working closely with our Child Care Specialist and Administrative teams. Because Respite Care, Inc. provides such a unique and important service, she also LOVES making connections with folks who can be involved in some way--whether that be a child who will enjoy our programs, a relieved parent, or a new volunteer! Natalia has a master's degree in Business Administration and a bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, with minors in English and Architecture. She is Director qualified, has her Early Childhood Teacher qualification, as well as her Infant Nursery Supervisor qualification. She has earned her Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional credential. Natalia enjoys hiking, quilting, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She started working at Respite Care as a Child Care Specialist when she moved to Colorado in 2009 and was blown away that such an incredible community resource existed. She dreams of starting a similar program in her hometown in Louisiana!

Tabitha Johnson

Office Manager

Tabitha grew up in Fort Collins and graduated from CSU with a Bachelors of Arts. She started at Respite Care in July of 2021. Her past work experiences have primarily been in healthcare settings doing administrative work as well as being a medical and surgical assistant! She is passionate about positively engaging with the community and working with underrepresented populations. When Tabitha is not working she enjoys spending time with her baby boy, Owen, and her husband and animals. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping and travelling. The Scottish Highlands was one of her most recent trips abroad.

Jackie Keesling

Communications Manager

Jackie has been working at Respite Care since March of 2019. She oversees many aspects of Respite Care's external communications, including marketing, social media, newsletters, and branding. Additionally, she manages the donor database and ensures every donor and their gift is acknowledged. She loves the ability to see first-hand how much the community supports the children and their families here at Respite Care, as well as share photos and stories of the impact their donations have! Jackie graduated in 2018 from Baylor University in Waco, Texas with a degree in Corporate Communications. She worked with kids every summer of college at a camp up in the Rocky Mountains and was also an Au Pair in Spain and taught English to 6 year olds. When not at Respite Care, Jackie loves to ski and hike with her friends and family, as well as eat pizza at every given opportunity.

Abbi Lockner

Community Engagement Officer

Abbi has been at Respite Care since August of 2017. She works with the development team on fundraising and community engagement. She organizes our two major fundraisers annually (the Holiday Ball and the Perennial Luncheon) and manages community tours, as well as providing assistance to the development director as needed. Abbi enjoys learning about fundraising, and she loves that she gets to come to work every day with a wonderful team who are all passionate about Respite Care and our mission. Abbi has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Northern Colorado as well as a Large Child Care Center Director's License. Abbi previously taught in early childhood classrooms for about four years. When not at Respite Care, Abbi loves to travel and spend time with her husband, puppy and two cats.

Amanda May

Program Administrator

Amanda has been involved with Respite Care for several years. First, she volunteered at RC for two years, then as a Child Care Specialist for two years. Amanda joined the administrative team as our Volunteer Manager in 2018, and is now our Program Administrator! She manages and schedules the wonderful volunteers that help us out in the house and on field trips. Additionally, Amanda oversees kiddo scheduling, Program events, and other aspects of Programming behind the scenes. Amanda LOVES interacting with the best kiddos in the world every day and she loves seeing the bond that volunteers & staff develop with the kids. Amanda has a bachelor's degree in Music with a concentration in Music Therapy and is a Board Certified Music Therapist. Amanda also has a small photography business outside of work and enjoys photographing families and couples. She does everything (hiking, camping, exploring, and photography) with her husband and three dogs; Kaya, River, and Bear. One of her favorite things to do is play music for the kiddos at Respite Care!

Lauren Musick

School Age & Teen Program Coordinator

Lauren has worked at Respite Care since August of 2015. She plans fun and skill-building activities everyday for our school-age kiddos & teenagers who attend after school and in the summer. She also helps staff members understand this age group and their unique needs and personalities! Lauren loves making the kids laugh and helping them come up with their own ideas, goals, or dreams. These help Lauren plan the activities to do next. Lauren has her master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University, as well as additional training in behavior management and animal assisted activities. Outside of Respite Care, Lauren likes sewing, running, climbing, writing, and dog walking. In addition to School-Age & Teen Program Coordinator role, she also holds the honorary titles of, "Field Trip Queen" and "Archduke of Obstacle Courses."

Maddy Neubauer

Child Care Manager

Maddy has worked at Respite Care since May 2015. She was the coordinator for our Early Childhood program for several years, planning activities and working with families to create individualized goals. In the fall of 2021, she transitioned to our Child Care Manager role! She gets to play, get lots of hugs and cuddles, and be a child herself. She loves seeing the kiddos meet their goals and building relationships with them and their families. Maddy has her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education, both from University of Northern Colorado. She has an Early Childhood Teacher certification, Elementary Education Teacher license, and Large Child Care Center Director's license. Outside of Respite Care, Maddy has taught Kindergarten, Third Grade, and Fourth Grade. Her favorite things to do outside of work are attending country music concerts, going fishing with her husband, and trying out new breweries with her sister!

Marissa Turner

Staff Manager

Marissa has been working at Respite Care since March of 2019. She volunteered at Respite Care for a couple months, before deciding she wanted to become a Child Care Specialist! She was excited to transition into her new role on the Administrative team as the Staff Coordinator in 2021 after serving as the Office Manager for a few months. Marissa's favorite part about working at Respite Care is being able to come to work everyday and see the kiddos work towards their goals, explore their creativity and form new connections! Marissa graduated from Colorado State University in May of 2020, with her Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Spanish. Outside of Respite Care, Marissa loves to go hiking/exploring with her new puppy, Olive! She also loves to read, paint, and snowboard whenever she can!

Our Board of Directors