The University of Wyoming’s (UW) recreation and wellness center received the Campus Prevention Network (CPN) Seal of Prevention from Vector Solutions for the second time.
The CPN Seal of Prevention goes to higher education institutions with a prioritization on prevention strategies for critical student issues. These include areas such as sexual assault, alcohol misuse, mental health, diversity, hazing and discrimination.
EXTRA CREDIT: Here’s an in-depth look at Recreation and Wellness at the University of Wyoming.
“This award is a recognition of UW for its investment in evidence-based prevention best practices,” said Aleah Biertzer, the HOPES Program coordinator at UW. “It’s been earned through effective campus and community collaborations and a comprehensive approach to create safer environments by empowering students with information to make informed decisions on their behavior.”
The HOPES Program — which stands for Healthy Options for Prevention and Education of Substances — oversees the courses evaluated for the CPN Seal of Approval. In fact, Biertzer shared some of the initiatives that support the CPN Seal of Prevention:
- Online programs — AlcoholEdu Primary, Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates, AlcoholEdu Sanctions and Mental Well-Being for Students
- Campus-community coalitions — A-Team, LifeSavers and No More
- Bystander intervention programs — Step Up and Green Dot
CPN evaluates over 1,000 colleges, universities and national organizations a year. Furthermore, it works to determine each’s quality of digital programming based on the following nine factors:
- Theory driven
- Socio-culturally relevant
- Appropriately timed
- Sufficient reach and dosage
- Outcomes evaluated and local data utilized
- Comprehensive
- Well-trained staff
- Positive relationships
- Varied teaching relationships
For those looking to achieve their own CPN Seal of Prevention, Biertzer suggested to incorporate a wellness center into their department. Also, one can create strong partnerships and collaborate with their campus wellness center.
EXTRA CREDIT: In addition, here are a few strategies to build effective partnerships and collaborations.
All in all, UW plans to continue this work now and into the future. “We feel honored to have received this recognition for the two years it has been available,” said Biertzer. “Overall, it’s about the work being done for upstream prevention.”
