Heart & Home Connections team and family gathering at a sporting event

About Us

Our Mission is making a life-changing difference

There is nothing more rewarding than witnessing the life-changing impact that respite care can have on an entire family. One of our favorite moments is watching the beautiful relationships that develop between a caregiver and the child or young adult they support. When a child starts counting down the days until their respite worker returns, runs to the door with excitement when they arrive, or wraps them in a hug and says, "I love you" without being prompted it's impossible not to feel it in your heart. We've seen young adults call their respite worker just because they miss them and families tell us that their respite provider has become part of their extended family. These relationships are built on trust, consistency, patience and genuine love. It is an incredible privilege to watch them grow.

At the same time, we get to witness another transformation—the one happening within the caregiver. We see parents and caregivers who have spent months or even years pouring every ounce of themselves into caring for someone they love finally have the opportunity to take a deep breath. They can enjoy a date night with their spouse, reconnect with friends, attend a fitness class, read a book, pursue a hobby or simply take an uninterrupted nap without worrying.

Then they come back, you can see it and our mission is accomplished. The smile is brighter. The spark in their eyes has returned. They have more patience, more energy and more capacity to continue caring for the people they love. Seeing caregivers reenergized is one of the greatest gifts we could ever experience.

Meet our team

Our goal has never been just to provide respite care. It's to strengthen families, create meaningful relationships, restore hope and remind caregivers that they deserve care, too. This is the purpose we rally behind.

Carlee Romagnoli

President

Masters in Special Education

Early Childhood Administration Certification

I’ve spent over six years in special education, and I started Heart & Home Connections to bring compassionate, reliable respite care to families of children with disabilities in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and beyond.

With a Bachelor’s in Sociology, a Master’s in Special Education, and certifications in Early Childhood Administration, EPR, and CPR/First Aid, I combine hands-on experience with a heart for community.

In my free time I enjoy hiking, being with my dogs and spending time with my family. My fiancé and I both grew up in Pittsboro, NC and spend time out and about around there!

Heart & Home isn’t just a service—it’s a trusted support system built on empathy, respect, and real connection.

KC Smith

Director of Family Services

PhD in Human Development and Psychology

I’m passionate about helping neurodivergent families feel confident, informed, and supported. With more than 17 years of experience in early childhood development, autism identification and intervention research, and parent coaching, I’ve seen how evidence-based, connection-focused strategies can transform family life.

My goal is to build genuine partnerships and provide resources, guidance, and a welcoming community where every child has access to compassionate support and meaningful opportunities. I want every family to feel heard, respected, and empowered to thrive.

I hold a PhD in Human Development and Psychology from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in child development.

On weekends, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two children, Ellie and Jack. We love playing disc golf, visiting local parks, and exploring festivals in downtown Raleigh.

Nicole Kramer

Programs & Talent Development

Masters in Organizational Leadership

Since I began working in this field, I have had experience working with kids as an RBT and also working with young adults as a case manager. I have learned so much from each individual I have been able to work with. I am passionate about hearing individuals' unique experiences and creatively finding ways to improve their lives.

I graduated from NC State with a degree in Biology and from North Greenville University with a Master's in Organizational Leadership. I am constantly integrating the skills I learned in both fields to think critically and work collaboratively.

In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading, spending time outside, and visiting family. I also love to play golf and I have a sweet orange cat named Cheeto!

Genea Williams

Lead Homeschool Teacher

Masters in Special Education

I am an educational leader and special educator with a Master’s degree in Special Education and more than 10 years of experience designing inclusive curricula for students with a wide range of learning needs and abilities.

I am deeply passionate about instructional leadership and mentorship. I have had the privilege of coaching new teachers, facilitating professional development and leading schoolwide STEM initiatives that expand hands-on learning opportunities across entire grade levels.

I love designing individualized curricula and inquiry-driven, project-based learning experiences that engage every learner while nurturing critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving skills and confidence. I am committed to creating a learning environment where every child feels valued, engaged, and empowered to thrive.

Christine Pontes

Director of Care Coordination

Masters in Social Work
Licensed Mental Health Therapist

I am a LCSW-A with over 14 years of experience in behavioral health and social services. I have supported children, adults and families across diverse backgrounds in navigating mental health, developmental and life challenges. My career began working with children and adolescents as a therapeutic mentor, followed by several years supporting individuals’ autism and developmental disabilities.

I later transitioned to working with adults as a behavioral health care manager. In this role, I coordinated care, connected clients to community resources, and advocated to improve stability and quality of life.

I earned my Master of Social Work in 2022 and have since worked as a mental health therapist providing in-home and outpatient services.

Lindsay Fazenbaker

Outreach Coordinator - Charlotte, NC

Specialized Needs Nanny

Working with children and families has always been the heart of what I do. My experience supporting children from infancy through early elementary ages has strengthened my passion for creating safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive and families feel supported.

I believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and every caregiver deserves support along the way. I am passionate about building genuine relationships, celebrating each child’s unique strengths and helping families access the resources and encouragement they need. My hope is that every family I work with feels welcomed, valued and never alone in their journey.

Outside of work, I enjoy crocheting, reading, and spending time with my husband and our pet bunny Bugs!

Stella Scheff

Outreach Coordinator - Northern Virginia

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

Drawing inspiration from my parents who’ve both had long careers in social work and developmental disabilities, I began working in the field 9 years ago. Throughout high school, I volunteered in peer mentor programs as well as at an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) center and worked as a nanny for a family with special needs. In 2022. I began working professionally as an Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and advocating for a neurodivergent rehabilitation program focusing in functional neurological disorder. I expanded my advocacy journey and started working as a medical advocate for people with special needs.

Mike Benson

Director of Marketing

I am a creative professional with experience spanning branding, marketing, website design, ecommerce and team leadership. My work sits at the intersection of creative direction, marketing execution and operational systems. I have an entrepreneurial spirit and have led teams, built creative workflows from the ground up, managed high-volume production and supported growth across agency, in-house and ecommerce environments.

Now I get to apply these skills to help deserving families get the services they need for themselves, their children and loved ones. The sense of purpose this creates is truly inspiring.