Winner of Sheboygan County Chamber's Workforce Development Business Education Partner of the Year Award 2024
Celebrating Success: United Way of Sheboygan County's PATH Program's Impact
We are thrilled to share a moment of celebration and gratitude with our community!
Workforce Development Symposium
On August 21st, 2024, the Sheboygan County Chamber hosted its annual Workforce Development Symposium. As part of the event, the Chamber honored various community and school partners with awards, recognizing their various efforts in developing Sheboygan County's schools, talent pipelines and future workforce.
Director of Providing Access to Healing (PATH), Brianna Heusterberg, was recognized as "Business Education Partner of the Year" award, and we couldn’t be more proud. This recognition shines a light on the incredible work of not only Brianna's, but the all the community partners who make this transformative initiative possible.
About United Way of Sheboygan County's School-Based Mental Health Program
Since its inception in 2015, PATH has been a cornerstone of mental health support for students across Sheboygan County. This innovative program places licensed clinicians directly within schools, breaking down financial and geographical barriers to ensure that mental health care is accessible to every student. From tackling depression and anxiety to managing ADHD and relationship stress, PATH equips students from as young as 3K through high school seniors with essential coping skills and therapeutic support.
The numbers speak volumes. PATH has already reached over 3,050 youth, providing them with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges and achieve their full potential. By fostering resilience, PATH not only supports individual growth but also contributes to a stronger future workforce. Our vision is clear: to ensure that every student receives early intervention and is prepared to contribute positively to our community.
But PATH’s impact goes beyond direct therapy. We are proud to collaborate with several organizations and businesses to expand our support network.
For example:
- Lakeshore Community Health Care’s Clinical Supervision Program is a crucial initiative aimed at addressing the shortage of licensed therapists. This program helps to develop and support new clinicians, thereby increasing access to mental health care across our community.
- Yoga on the Lake (YOTL) Dual Credit Courses represent an exciting partnership with the Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District. This innovative program offers students trauma-informed yoga sessions while simultaneously earning high school and college credits. Our goal is to broaden this opportunity to more schools in the coming years, making wellness and academic advancement more accessible.
Impressive Yet Meaningful Outcomes
The results of PATH’s efforts are not only impressive but also deeply meaningful. On average, we provide around 9,000 therapy sessions annually to approximately 500 students. In the past year alone, PATH delivered 10,489 therapy sessions to 668 youth—a 24% increase from the previous year. This growth highlights our commitment to reaching more students who face significant barriers to accessing care.
Key outcomes from our PATH program include:
- 96% of youth experience reduced symptoms
- 93% report progress toward their treatment goals
- 91% feel more hopeful and positive about life
- 50% show improved academic performance
- Improved social-emotional skills such as communication (88%), listening (91%), and self-regulation (85%).
The Impact on Students and Mental Health Professionals
These numbers are a testament to the program's effectiveness, but the real impact is best understood through the voices of those we serve.
A high school student from the Sheboygan Area School District shared, “Being able to talk through my thoughts and feelings... in a good healthy way helped a lot with my thinking, how I perceive things and how I look at my life. It made me see my worth and I couldn't be more grateful I'm alive today.”
Carla Vorpahl, a seasoned social worker with 27 years of experience, praised PATH saying, “In all those years there has never been a program more important, more needed, and more successful than United Way of Sheboygan County’s PATH Initiative.”
As we reflect on the success and growth of the PATH program, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners, supporters, and the Sheboygan County Chamber. Your recognition and collaboration fuel our mission and inspire us to continue making a profound difference in the lives of our youth. Together, we’re building a brighter, more resilient future for Sheboygan County.
