On Saturday, April 5, Monroe High School Healthcare Solutions LAUNCH students will host a Respite Fun Day for families of children with medical disabilities in the community.
Through the LAUNCH program, twelve students earned their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certifications through Blackhawk Technical College in December. They also received training in HIPAA compliance and CPR. The 12 students have diverse job experiences that include clinical training with Monroe Health Services, babysitting, and professional roles in medical environments such as SSM Health. These hands-on experiences have provided a strong foundation for their future careers in healthcare.
During Respite Fun Day, the students will apply their skills by offering engaging activities tailored to the specific needs of children from four families, including their siblings, for a total of nine children. This event not only provides social interaction and skill development for the children but also offers a valuable break for parents, allowing them time to recharge or attend to personal matters. The LAUNCH Healthcare Solutions students are dedicated to making this an annual event, fostering a supportive community with lasting benefits.
Since this is the first time a Respite Fun Day is being offered, students conducted extensive research to ensure its success. They used a toolkit from the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin to learn about event planning, advertising, fundraising, and creating essential documents such as surveys, flyers, waivers, and photo releases.
Throughout the planning process, the students received guidance from the Respite Coalition through monthly remote meetings, as well as from early elementary teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and special education staff within the school district.
To identify interested families, the students distributed an initial survey through Green County networks and elementary school staff, who shared it with families that fit the target group—households with children (infants to 12 years old) that include a child with a medical disability. To provide true respite, the event also includes care for siblings.
After gathering initial interest, students sent a follow-up survey to determine the most suitable time, date, and activities while learning about the children’s specific needs. They then began direct communication with families and invited them to visit the class to meet the students. Half of the participating families took the opportunity to visit, bringing their children to get acquainted with the team.
The Healthcare Solutions LAUNCH students look forward to providing snacks, games, crafts and other activities to delight the children. They appreciate support from Heartland Graphics, Thrivent Action Teams, and Vince’s Pizza.
With thorough preparation and dedication, these students are making a meaningful impact, providing both fun and relief for local families.
— Cara Carper is the School District of Monroe Student Occupation and Academic Readiness (SOAR) Coordinator. She can be reached at caracarper@monroe.k12.wi.us.
