PATCH Dane County
WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCES FOR YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.
At PATCH Dane County we are passionate about improving adolescent health care experiences and, since 2010, we've been working directly with youth and health care professionals to do just that!
Each year, 10-13 high school students are hired as Teen Educators to lead educational workshops with peers and health care professionals.
Applications are now open for the 2020/2021 program year! Apply today!
Training, Enrichment, & Advocacy
Each year, after a competitive application and interview process, a small, diverse group of 14 - 18 year old Teen Educators are hired from the Dane County community. Upon hiring, all Teen Educators go through a 24-hour training process that prepares them for their role as workshop facilitators and advocates. In addition to this training, Teen Educators attend two enrichment meetings each month. During these meetings, Teen Educators learn about and discuss a variety of health topics from trusted community sources. This learning better connects the teens with community resources and helps them develop skills to better access and take control of their own health.
As part of their employment, Teen Educators become expert presenters, powerful storytellers, and reliable resources for their peers. They are also encouraged to take information gained through PATCH and participate in any number of health related advocacy efforts! For many, working as a Teen Educator allows them to find their voice, develop their story, and identify their passions.
Teen Educators use these skills to empower other adolescents and to inspire health care providers to make positive changes within their community.
Workshops
PATCH Dane County offers two different educational workshops. Each workshop focuses on the Three R's of PATCH: Relationships, Rights, and Responsibility!
PATCH for Teens: Peer-to-Peer is an interactive 60-minute workshop. It is youth lead and focus on 'Getting the Care You Need and Deserve'! Teen Educators can lead with workshop with youth groups, student organizations or clubs, community centers, or any other place where adolescents gather to learn!
The PATCH for Providers workshop is a one-of-a-kind experience where health care professionals get the opportunity to engage with today's youth in a new way! The 90-minute teen-facilitated workshop will help health care professionals better serve adolescent patients. Teen Educators share their accurate and authentic insights into the concerns, preferences and realities that impact the health care experiences of today’s youth.
Not in Dane County?? We are always happy to visit adolescents and health care providers from around the region so pleasure reach out with your workshop request! We'd love to work with you!
Thanks to Our Supporters!
Contact PATCH Dane County Staff
We'd love to talk to you!
Erica is ready to answer your questions about: workshops, Teen Educator applications, joining the Community Advisory Team, or anything else!
E-mail us at dane@wipatch.org. Or, give us a call 608.251.0139 ext 4.
Erica Koepsel (Dane County Site Coordinator) and Caroline Gasao (Dane County PATCH Intern) at the 2018 Kick-Off!
Our work would not be possible without the support from individuals, organizations, and businesses in our community! From donating time and energy to money and materials we simply couldn't do it without these people! You can show your support by joining our Community Advisory Team, Donating to PATCH, or even scheduling a workshop!
Community Advisory Team
The Community Advisory Team is a group of volunteer community members who provide ongoing support and oversight to local Program Sites. Current members include:
Anne Marie Bell
Meg Collins | Public Health - Madison & Dane County
Gracie DeBroux, Former Teen Educator | Edgewood Student
Margo DeNuccio | Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
Anahi Mancillas, Former Teen Educator | MATC Student
Tim Markle | Waisman Center
Lucas Moore
Heather Royer, PhD, RN | Nurse Scientist
Silvia Martinez
Sue Schultz | Madison Metropolitan School District
Maia Stitt, MS | Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Marta Staple, NP | University Health Services
Matt Staples, Former Teen Educator | MATC Student
Shefaali Sharma, MD | Madison Women's Health
TeKema Balentine
Financial Support & Donations
We especially thank the following organizations for their support of food, space and or resources for the 2019-2020 program year.
And a special shout out to the following companies for food donations - feeding our youth and supporters during important events: Banzo, Einstein Bagel Bros, Good Food, Glass Nickel Pizza, Ian’s Pizza, Pasture & Plenty, Roman Candle, Trader Joe's, Willy Street Co-Op, Wisconsin Youth Company, and Woodman's Markets.