Meet April’s Featured Respite Provider: Kylie Alger
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 April’s featured provider, Kylie Alger!
We asked her a few questions about her experience with the respite program:
How long have you been a respite provider?
About 2.5 years.
What made you want to apply to be a respite provider?
I have an older brother with autism who received respite services growing up, so I became very familiar with respite from an early age. As I got older, I became more involved in the community and worked with kids through Special Olympics, teaching swimming lessons, and coaching gymnastics! After moving to La Crosse for college, I volunteered with a few programs where I made connections with families who were looking for respite care. I decided to apply to become a respite provided through FCC and I have enjoyed it ever since.
What is your favorite part of being a respite provider?
I really value the connections I have with the children and families I work with. It has also been awesome to watch kids learn and grow throughout my time as a respite provider.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I am currently in the Occupational Therapy program at UWL, so I spend a lot of my free time hanging out and studying with my classmates! I also love going for walks, reading, and playing board/card games.
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 2023, June 2023, July 2023, August 2023, September 2023, October 2023, November 2023, February 2024, March 2024, April 2024, May 2024, October 2024, December 2024, January 2025, February 2025 and March 2025.
