Meet September’s Featured Respite Provider: Katie Hansen

Respite Providers are a vital part of caring for children and youth aged birth to 18 experiencing behavioral, emotional, medical, and/or physical challenges. This program is designed to meet specific individual and family needs while maintaining collaboration with other service providers and legal guardians. This valuable service provides families of special needs children the opportunity to balance the many challenges of life. The breaks provided allow family members time to meet their other vital family needs. Providers can be couples, single persons, or families.

As part of an ongoing series, FCC would like to introduce you to September’s featured provider, Katie Hansen!

How long have you been a respite provider?  I’ve been a respite provider for about 3 months but familiar with foster care through my friend Meghann.

What made you want to apply to be a respite provider?  I wanted to apply for respite because there was something missing from my life.  I had just recently gone through changes in my personal life and was left with an open home and heart.  Respite provides me with time to make an impact on someone’s life, even if it’s just some weekend support.

What is your favorite part of being a respite provider? My favorite part of being a respite provider is having so much fun!  The time that’s spent with these kids has been the best!  We do all the fun things that I maybe wouldn’t want to do alone.  It’s like they help me experience life in a whole new view.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?  In my free time I enjoy working with plants (indoor and outdoor), anything in the water, and also spending time with my family and friends.  I just recently spent some time traveling to Alaska/Canada and it’s giving me the travel itch!

You can help support children and parents by becoming a respite provider today. For more information please contact Kelli Degenhardt at (608) 668-2229 or kdegenhardt@fccnetwork.org.

Learn more about FCC’s community respite program here: https://www.fcconline.org/service/community-respite/.

View more provider highlights from May, June, July and August.