Agape Respite Care : 260.589.3351

Meet the Staff at Agape Respite Care

Children and adults are cared for by trained staff committed to the mission and values of Agape Respite Care. Each staff member is carefully screened and receives orientation and training prior to providing direct care. Our care providers are paraprofessionals with training in CPR/First Aid, medication administration, gastronomy tube feedings, breathing treatments, seizures, behavior management and communication, mobility and positioning, personal care including nutrition, diet and eating and recreation. Special training in developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, and many other types of conditions is provided. Agape care providers continue with on-going staff trainings through out the year. Our caring staff offers a personalized service which maximizes attention to the individual’s health, welfare and safety while providing appropriate recreational and leisure activities for their enjoyment.

Find out more about in the following staff biographies:

Roberta Lehman Director
Agape Respite Administration

Roberta “Bertie” Lehman, is the developer and director of Agape Respite Care, Inc. She is the wife of James “Jim” Lehman. The Lehmans have four children; two married daughters, Krista, (Keith) Brunstrup of Berne; Melissa (Justin) Gillette and grandson, Milesof Goshen, Indiana. Jessica and brother, Hunter live with their parents on the family farm just outside of Berne.

Jessica has a developmental disability known as Rett Syndrome. Although Jessica needs total assistance for all of her care, she enjoys participating activities and spending time with family and friends.

Bertie has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Bluffton College and a master’s degree with a specialization in Reading from Indiana University, Bloomington. She spent a total of seven years teaching elementary school in Indianapolis and at Adams Central Community School in Monroe, Indiana. Bertie also taught one year of preschool at the Berne Nursery School.

After Jessica began experiencing developmental difficulties, Bertie organized a parent support group called, “Connections for Special Kids.” Mothers in the area, who were parenting young children with special needs met for support and to learn about resources and services. At this time there was no respite care program in the area. Agape Respite Care represents the vision of these mothers, who recognized that their parent role contained challenges beyond “typical parenting.” The mothers in this group decided if they had care giving assistance they wanted people who were trained, a place that was safe and attractive, and a program that encompassed Christian values and showed true love and compassion for their child.

In 1992, Bertie Lehman received support her church, First Mennonite Church in Berne, Indiana, to begin a respite program. At this time Bertie was also attending the Partners In Policy Making Class in Indianapolis. Additional training in grant writing, mediation training, parent liaison training and other seminars assisted Bertie in gaining the skills needed to be the administrator of Agape Respite Care.

Bertie has been a presenter at state, national and international conferences on respite care and related issues. She is actively involved in the development of the Indiana Respite Coalition, currently serving as Co-Chair.

When Bertie is not working at Agape she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Other interest including directing a children’s choir at church, teaching Sunday school, singing, cooking and playing games.

Jennifer Tschannen Office Manager / Caregiver
Agape Respite Administration

Jennifer Tschannen has worked full time for Agape since 1995 as Office Manager/Careprovider. Jennifer grew up in Decatur, but now lives with her husband Michael and two sons Zachary & Lukas in Ossian.

Her related experience includes nursing courses, Health Occupation Education class and working as a CNA and Ward Clerk for five years at Adams Memorial Hospital. During her free time she likes to spend time with her family swimming or going to the movies.

Aubrey Sprunger Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

Denise Moore Registered Nurse
Agape Respite Staff

Hometown:	Geneva, IN
Education:	BSN
Experience:	RN at Jay County Hospital
Start Date at Agape:	2001
When I am not working I…	I like to crochet

Edie Coblentz Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

Hometown:	Geneva, IN
Education:	High School Graduate 1 year college
Experience:	Mother CNA & HHA Paraprofessional sub aid for South Adams
Start Date at Agape:	2007
When I am not working I…	I like to spend time with my family. I enjoy coaching volleyball for South Adams.

Jane Miller Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

Hometown:	Berne, IN
Education:	Associate (Social Work)
Experience:	Currently employed at SAMS as a paraprofessional Teach CPR Worked 8 years at Bi-County Services

Jenny Karner Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

Jill Suman Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

Hometown:	Portland, IN
Education:	Celina Sr. High Class of 92
Experience:	Mother CNA and Health Aid Client Supervisor Residential Manager
Start Date at Agape:	2004
When I am not working I…	I love to spend time hanging out with my family, scrapbooking, crafting, gardening and bowling

Krista Brunstrup Registered Nurse
Agape Respite Staff

Hometown:	Berne
Education:	BSN
Experience:	RN at Woodcrest
Start Date at Agape:	2007
When I am not working I…	I like to read, cook and spend time with family and friends.

Laura Scheiner Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

Hometown:	Berne, IN
	Degree in Special Education
Experience:	6 years working in group homes prior to teaching 1 year camp counselor at Red Cedar Center
Start Date at Agape:	1995
When I am not working I…	Spend time in the garden and play with my 3 boys and read when times allows.

Megan Mankey Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

Patty Schindler Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

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Patty Schindler

Willshire, Ohio

1986 Graduate of Parkway High School National Certification of dietary Management from the University of North Dakota

2006

work full time as Assistant Food Service Director at Swiss Village Retirement Community. Any extra time I enjoy working outside, spending time with family and friends and of course...I love to shop!!

Sherry Kizer Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

Hometown:	Bluffton, IN
Education:	Completing my R.N. at St. Francis University May 2011
Experience:	Mother Former CNA Nurse Tech at Bluffton Regional Hospital
Start Date at Agape:	2002
When I am not working I…	I like to spend time with my husband and two children. I look forward to every Thursday night, I get together with a couple of friends and socialize.

Susan Kelly LPN
Agape Respite Staff

Hometown:	Bryant, IN
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Experience:	LPN CNA, Para Professional Nurse
Start Date at Agape:	1996
When I am not working I…	I like to listen to music and watch movies. Spend time with family and friends

Tracy Hankins Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

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Tracy Hankins

Portland, Indiana

Graduate Jay County High School, 2 yrs. college I.U. East & Ivy Tech

Jay Randolph Center 5 yrs. as a direct service provider in a group home; Paraprofessional in Special Education at Jay county High School for 2 yrs.

2006

Play with with son and daughter. I am generally busy being a Mom.

Melinda Vaughn Caregiver
Agape Respite Staff

Hometown:	Warren, IN
Education:	DSW from Ball State
Experience:	Corrections Officer SNC EMT Behavioral Specialist Assistant Group Home Trainer Home Daycare Provider Social Worker
Start Date at Agape:	2001
When I am not working I…	I like to spend every last minute with my kids. When they are at Grandma’s I shop-shop-shop.

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