Bringing Respite to Your Community is a free online workshop series that lets you learn at your own pace. It offers tools to help you start a respite program in your community. BRYC will help you, whether you need a small volunteer group or a big staffed organization.
You’ll cover various topics through assigned readings, videos, and external resources. Respite programs vary a lot. They can be one-time events or daily services. Volunteers run some, while others have staff.
To earn a certificate of completion, you must:
Develop a program plan as your final assignment, and
Set up a meeting with Val Madsen, your instructor. Review your plan and get support.
Note: This workshop is for Wisconsin residents.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
Example programs
Overview & Completion Steps
The Bringing Respite to Your Community (BRYC) Workshop has several topics. You can complete it at your own pace. We recommend watching the videos, doing the readings, and finishing each assignment. This will help you before moving on to the next topic.
Workshop 1: Needs Assessment, Program Design, and Business Structure
Workshop 2: Program Design & Licensing, Funding & Budgeting (Intro)
Workshop 3: Insurance, Legal Information, Accounting, and Tax Considerations
Workshop 4: Policies & Procedures, Documentation, Marketing, Activity Design, and Interviews with Existing Respite Programs
Workshop 5: Staffing & Volunteers, Recruitment & Hiring, Training, and Program Growth
Workshop 6: Additional Resources, Grant Writing, and Wrap-Up Assignments
To receive a certificate of completion, participants must:
Complete the cumulative assignment (a program plan), and
Set up a meeting with Val Madsen, the workshop instructor. Review your plan and discuss any questions about your respite program design.
Unsure if you want to register for the course? Read what past workshop attendees had to say about BRYC HERE.
Finished the Workshop Series?
Next Steps!
Once you complete the Workshop Series and your program plan, schedule a 30-minute meeting with the instructor, Val Madsen. You’ll present your project then.
After your meeting, you’ll:
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Receive your BRYC Certificate of Completion.
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Become eligible to apply for:
This program is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $2,042,074 with 75% percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $689,234 with 25% percentage funded by State of Wisconsin source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.