Introduction
SSM Health is contributing $10,000 to The Arc Fond du Lac to launch a 12-month health and wellness program for its over 70 direct support professionals who assist individuals with disabilities in community participation, including employment.
Why is this Important?
According to Dawn Scannell, The Arc Fond du Lac executive director, “Direct support professionals deeply care for those they are serving and their role can be emotionally taxing. They navigate the harsh realities people face living with disabilities, as well as the social stigmas surrounding them. They face the risk of having their own psychological well-being impacted.”
Program Details
The wellness program will address burnout, compassion fatigue, personal finances, stress, time management, resilience, mental health, work-life balance, and physical health. Training classes will offer resources for mental and physical health information, create monthly wellness challenges, and hold quarterly wellness meetings to discuss progress and provide additional support and encouragement.
About The Arc Fond du Lac
The Arc Fond du Lac is a human service organization that empowers adults and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become independent and integrated into the community through advocacy, education, training, and support. It serves over 250 individuals and families annually in Fond du Lac, Dodge, and Winnebago counties, with participants ranging in age from five years to end of life.
Benefits of the Program
“We know that managing your own mental health not only benefits you, but also benefits you as a caregiver,” says Tara Rhodes, SSM Health vice president of Operations for St. Agnes Hospital, Ripon Community Hospital, and Waupun Memorial Hospital, and The Arc Fond du Lac board member. “When you are healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally you can be the best caregiver possible and put all your energy into helping others.”
Learn More
To learn more, call The Arc Fond du Lac at 920-923-3810 or visit arcfdl.org.
SSM Health’s Community Impact
In 2023, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac’s community benefit ministry totaled more than $630,000 across the communities it serves. This investment helps ensure access to health care for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, train the next generation of health professionals to care for those in need, and fund programs to address the most pressing health needs of our communities. Source
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