While prevention programs serve communities throughout Appalachia, Appalachian Up takes a unique approach by intentionally centering Appalachian culture in its design. The program was created by prevention professionals and researchers at Marshall University and has been pilot-tested with promising results.
“AppUp! was created in Appalachia, for Appalachia,” said Dr. Tammy Collins, associate director of the Center of Excellence for Recovery within the Marshall University Research Corporation. “We wanted to develop a program that reflects the people, culture and strengths of our region, and makes those connections an intentional part of the prevention programming.”
Marshall University will host an Appalachian Up facilitator training from 8:30 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2 on the university’s Huntington campus.
The training is designed for prevention and behavioral health staff, recovery support organizations, 4-H and extension professionals, libraries and community programs, schools and after-school programs, substance use coalition members and beyond. Participants will learn how to facilitate the AppUp! curriculum, use storytelling in prevention practice, coordinate community arts mentoring experiences, foster identity, resilience and community connection, and adapt the program for their communities.
Registration costs $423 per participant, a meaningful amount representing the 423 counties across the 13 states that make up Appalachia. The registration fee includes a printed facilitator manual, 50 participant journals, a digital journal with unlimited printing, implementation guidance, a facilitator name badge, authorization to implement the program with no annual licensing fee, evaluation data analysis and up to six continuing education units, pending approval for social work and addictions and prevention professionals.
To learn more or register, contact Tammy L. Collins, Ph.D., ICPS, WVPS2, OCPC, at collins@marshall.edu.
Follow the Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery on Facebook for the latest AppUp! updates, including program information, videos, graphics and facilitator training resources.
The Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery works to increase the well-being of West Virginians through behavioral health education, prevention, outreach, recovery and applied research initiatives.
To learn more about the Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery, visit mucenterofexcellence.org.