Values Ambassador Spotlight: Cara Rapp

Value: Service     |     Nominated by: Brooke Ford

Serving Families in Their Most Vulnerable Moments

As Director of Admissions and Student Outreach, Cara Rapp’s role requires not only expertise and strategic thinking for the organization, but deep empathy and trust‑building with families, school districts, and healthcare professionals.

The most rewarding part is being there for families during their critical moments, whether it’s helping a scared parent during their first inquiry call, celebrating when a student is accepted, supporting a family through the enrollment journey, or helping them navigate the transition to adult services.

– Cara Rapp, Director of Admissions & Student Outreach

Our Therapeutic Residential & Day School Admissions team helps the Heartspring School Leadership Team evaluate potential students, gathering essential documentation and coordinating between different stakeholders. They also serve as dedicated case managers for families throughout the admissions process, provide guardianship support when students turn 16, and execute transition planning when students prepare to move to adult services.

Leading Through Service

Cara’s service extends beyond the admissions process itself. She is known for diligent follow-ups with caseworkers across states, particularly for children in custody who need a fierce advocate ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Even after acceptance, she looks for ways to make students feel safe and welcomed.

Her nominator, Brooke Ford, sees Cara’s service in the way she leads. “Cara never thinks something isn’t her lane or that she’s above doing hands-on work,” Brooke said. “If someone needs help, Cara doesn’t think twice to make room in her schedule to be present and share guidance.”

That mindset has had a tangible impact: Heartspring’s residential program is now at full capacity, helping more students access services while strengthening the organization as a whole.

“She works diligently to find a way to get to a ‘yes’ as we review kids for potential admission and when finding placements for those who will be transitioning out of Heartspring,” her supervisor, Superintendent Dr. Mike Bonner, said. “She ensures every family feels confident that Heartspring is the right place for their child.”

Creating Community Through Family Weekend

One of Cara’s proudest contributions is helping organize Family Weekend each year. This past year, we had 42 families from 13 states come together to connect, celebrate, and create memories with their children.

From the Student Art Show and music performances to Miracle League Baseball and the family dance, Cara sees Family Weekend as a powerful reminder of why the work we do matters.

Family Weekend reminds me why I do this work. It’s about creating a community where families feel supported and hopeful.

– Cara Rapp, Director of Admissions & Student Outreach

A Full‑Circle Journey of Service

Cara’s connection to Heartspring spans decades. After working at Heartspring earlier in her career, she stepped away to raise her family and serve as a foster parent. When she returned 13 years later, she said it felt like coming home.

“People like Cara are how we become a center for excellence in serving children with neurodevelopmental disabilities,” Brooke said.

Service is the foundation of our work at Heartspring, shaping how we support students and clients, partner with families, and collaborate across our campus. Cara’s example illustrates the compassion, commitment, and intentional care that define this value in action. Our employees’ shared responsibility to lead with service strengthens our mission and creates a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

At Heartspring, we value excellence, celebration, leadership, service, possibility, and integrity.

Our Values Ambassadors put Heartspring’s mission into action — going above and beyond to empower children to realize their full potential, support families, and help young people build skills for life beyond our campus.