Meet February’s Featured Respite Provider: Sherri Lewison
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 February’s featured provider, Sherri Lewison!
We asked her a few questions about her experience with the respite program:
How long have you been a respite provider?
My husband Steve and I have been a part of the program for 16 months (by January).
What made you want to apply to be a respite provider?
I have been a teacher for over 26 years and especially love working with kids. I developed a unique connection with Levi during COVID since we discovered that we share the same birthday! We call ourselves “birthday buddies”.
What is your favorite part of being a respite provider?
For me, it’s knowing I’m helping his parents enjoy some downtime and that I get to put on my “Grandma” hat and do some baking/cooking, play uno, or go on special outings together.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy riding my bike, reading, connecting with friends and my newest gig of being a Grandma!!
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 and January 2025.
