Respite Care in Colorado Springs for Children and Families
Children and Family Services are designed to meet the unique needs of children and families and strengthen them.
ZACH’S PLACE AT THE LAURIE HILLYARD FAMILY CENTER
Zach’s Place at The Laurie Hillyard Family Center, a licensed day care and respite center offering advocacy, community activities, life skills training and social activities. Zach’s Place opened its doors in 1998 to provide families in the Colorado Springs area a safe place for respite care for parents to entrust their child(ren) with disabilities and their siblings without regard to race, religion, or ethnicity.
FOSTER CARE & ADOPTION SERVICES
Locally, SKSF is one of the only foster care agencies in the region with unique skills and experience supporting the care and placement of foster children with special needs, including emotional, cognitive, or physical disabilities. We serve special needs and typical children of all ethnicities, ages and situations. We are uniquely positioned as the “go-to” agency supporting foster children with disabilities.
Respite Care in Colorado Springs FAQs
Respite care in Colorado Springs for children provides temporary relief to caregivers by offering short-term care options for children with disabilities. These services help families maintain balance, reduce stress, and access trusted care programs that support both children and guardians.
Families with children who have developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities may qualify for children’s family services in Colorado Springs. Special Kids Special Families evaluates each child’s needs and family situation to determine the best programs, including respite care and support options.
Family services support children with disabilities by providing structured activities, developmental care, and social engagement through programs tailored to each child’s needs. These services help children build skills and confidence while offering families dependable respite care options.
Siblings may participate in certain family programs, particularly those focused on community engagement or group activities. Family involvement encourages peer support and creates opportunities for all children to benefit from shared experiences within the respite care setting.
Our after-school programming includes homework support, life skills practice, creative activities (art, music, storytelling), outdoor and physical play, community outings to Colorado Springs destinations, and participation in our Gardens Grow therapeutic gardening program. Every afternoon is intentionally structured to keep children engaged, supported, and growing.
Our staff are trained to support children across a broad range of developmental profiles in an inclusive classroom environment. Activities are thoughtfully adapted so that children with and without disabilities can participate together, each benefiting from the interaction. We maintain small group sizes, have an RN on staff, and coordinate closely with families to ensure each child’s individual needs are met throughout the day.
Zach’s Place operates on a sliding-fee scale based on household income, which means costs are adjusted to reflect what your family can realistically afford. Rates can be as low as $9 per hour for qualifying families. To find out what rate applies to your family, contact us to schedule an intake assessment — we’ll walk you through everything in a private, no-pressure conversation.
Respite care is planned, temporary care specifically designed to give caregivers of individuals with disabilities a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Unlike general child care, respite care is provided by staff trained in supporting individuals with a range of developmental and physical disabilities — and is specifically intended to support the sustainability of family caregiving. At Zach’s Place, respite care and child care exist side by side, and children in both settings receive the same high-quality, inclusive experience.
Zach’s Place serves children ages 2.5–18 with a wide range of disabilities and developmental needs, including autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and more. We also welcome typically developing children in our inclusive setting. The best way to find out if we’re a good fit is to schedule a tour and intake conversation — we’ll learn about your child’s specific needs and be honest about how we can support them.
Respite care at Zach’s Place can be used on a recurring basis — weekly, several times a week, or on a schedule that works for your family. We work with families to build arrangements that provide consistent, reliable relief. Regular respite has been shown to be significantly more effective at preventing burnout than occasional or emergency-only use, so we encourage families to think of it as an ongoing support rather than a last resort.
During the intake process, we’ll ask for your child’s health records including current immunizations and a recent physical exam, any relevant care plans or IEP documents, emergency contact information, and details about your child’s needs, preferences, and daily routines. This helps us prepare to provide the most supportive experience possible from your child’s very first day.
Yes. Zach’s Place operates on a sliding-fee scale based on household income, which means families pay what they can afford — with rates as low as $9 per hour for qualifying families. Colorado families may also be eligible for support through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) or state disability services funding. Our team can help connect you with information on any of these options during your intake visit.
