PATCH Program

Fair warning: this isn't our usual Peek@PATCH.
It just felt like a good day to check in.

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July 28, 2026

Let's not sugarcoat this: things feel heavy.

Here in WI, there's a lot of grief.
A lot of anger.
A lot of devastation.
A lot of loss.

Frankly, it's a lot to hold.

*And* we're seeing so many reminders of what makes communities strong.

People showing up.
Speaking out.
Taking care of each other.

A lot is happening at once. And we're right here in it too.

Be back with more PATCH soon. 💙💚

The excitement is building! T-minus a few weeks until we meet our 2026-27 PATCHies. 💕

Getting our Welcome Packets put together and in the (snail)mail! 📫️

This is our way of giving teens a peek at what's ahead in the upcoming program year.

Plus getting boooorrrriiinnnnggg (but obviously important) onboarding paperwork into their hands early. Wanting to make sure they have plenty of time to review it, ask questions, and talk things through with their trusted adults.

2026-27 program year, here we come.

Teens in Northern WI, PATCH Northwoods is now accepting applications 😍!

Applications Due: September 14th

More info?!https://ahec.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/99/2026/07/PATCH-Position-Description-2026.pdf

Do you know a teen in Vilas County or Oneida County who is interested in improving adolescent health in their community? Northern Highland AHEC is partnering with PATCH Program to create paid positions for teens to do just that!

Applications are due September 14th. Learn more athttps://ahec.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/99/2026/07/PATCH-Position-Description-2026.pdf

From hitting send on job offers to seeing those excited replies pop into our inbox ...🥰

Countdown to the 2026-27 program year is officially on...

(Yes, there 💯 are valid reasons as to why certain programs make training a non-negotiable.)

TBT to when PATCH Milwaukee got to spend time with MKE FreshAir Collective learning about air quality...

Nobody has to explain why that matters to us Wisconsinites. Not on a day like today. 😩

Gosh. There truly is so much that goes into the PATCH hiring process that could easily go unnoticed.

Huge kudos to all our PATCH Coords who are currently in the thick of it!

It's one of the biggest and hardest times of the year.

Reviewing piles of applications. Conducting interview after interview. Thinking through every possible combination. Trying to build a team that reflects a diversity of teen voices, experiences, perspectives, and abilities.

It takes a lot of brain space and energy (because we care!).

But often, a quick convo with a PATCH Coach is all it takes to get to, "yeah, I knew that all along."

The part that never gets easier is knowing there are so, SO many incredible teens we'd love to hire. We just don't have enough spots. There are always teens we genuinely hope we'll see back next year.

Thrilled to be working with Callie and the rest of the WI Northern Highland Area Health Education Center - AHEC team to bring PATCH to the northwoods of WI! Her enthusiasm and readiness to dive right in has been 🙌

📣 Please join us in welcoming Callie to Northern Highland Area Health Education Center as our new Rural Health Program Coordinator!

Callie recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse with a degree in Biomedical Science and minors in Chemistry and Nutrition.

As someone who grew up in our region, Callie understands firsthand both the strengths of rural communities and the unique healthcare challenges they face. Her personal connection to the Northwoods brings valuable perspective to our work of building a stronger, more accessible healthcare workforce.

In her new role, Callie will help lead our regional health career pathway programs and support exciting new partnerships, including our work with PATCH Program, expanding opportunities for students and communities across northern Wisconsin.

We are excited to welcome Callie to the team and look forward to the passion, energy, and dedication she brings to supporting rural health across our region. Welcome, Callie!

Look at those 2026-27 Wisconsin PATCH programs! 😍

Not too long ago, this image would have looked very different. You would have seen a lot of "Hosted by: PATCH HQ".

But ya know what?! Even when our staff lived in the communities, the programs still needed a home base.

(Of course, we learned a LOT of other stuff too. And, have always been open to sharing it with others, including those who joined us at the 2026 AMCHP Conference earlier this year!)

But now we're in a spot (read: we have the admin systems and support) to be able to funnel funds to other orgs and shift into a new role as statewide supporter, connector, and thought partner.

Community-based is where we started, so getting back to our roots feels pretty magical. We also love that our longstanding replication partner PATCH WoCo is still along for the ride.

Seeing the result of this shift has been 🤯...and so incredibly validating!

Together for adolescent health.

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PATCH Northwoods | WI Northern Highland Area Health Education Center - AHEC

PATCH Wausau | Healthy Opportunities for Latin Americans - HOLA

PATCH WoCo | Wood County Health Department

PATCH - La Crosse | Great Rivers United Way

PATCH Milwaukee | Healthy MKE

PATCH Madison | PATCH HQ

WI PATCH Teen Consultants | PATCH HQ

If you're around and interested on August 7, we'll be there with some PATCHies presenting just after noon! 🤩

Join us at Endless Possibilities 2026 to gain practical tools, valuable insights, and meaningful connections that will help students with disabilities succeed in school and beyond. https://wifacets.org/2026-endless-possibilities-conference/