Building a CRC From Scratch: The UA Experience

Presenters Greg Snodgrass Jack Sykstus MSW Executive Director of UA’s CRC Jack Sykstus B.S. Graduate Assistant for UA’s CRC

Acknowledgements Our goal is to simply relay the experience that has been effective at UA’s CRC. Not all of these experiences will be the same, yet we hope to help growing CRC’s be sharing our solution to question when building a CRC on compus

Acknowledgements We want to acknowledge Texas Tech University and their CRC for giving us the replication model that we have utilized at UA. Due to their ideas and development we have been able to implement the current program we have today.

Presentation Breakdown Effectively communicating recovery language Physical space: What to look for and why

Presentation Breakdown (Continued) Recruitment & resource: Creating fellowship in a CRC Finances Endowment Fundraising Giving Dedicated employees

Effectively Communicating Recovery Language

Communicating Recovery Language Recovery Language versus University Language Important to learn to navigate university setting for CRC/CRP growth Using terms “Recovery” and “Abstinence” versus terms “sobriety” “addict” “addiction” “clean” “alcoholic”

Communicating Recovery Language The term “addiction” can be vague and confusing, causing misinformation and negative attitudes to proliferate (Hellman, 2010). Using precise language can help reduce confusion and stigma Find quote from paper

Communicating Recovery Language Communicating Need for CRC’s Expressing need without implication Stressing the importance of CRC’s being not treatment

Communicating Recovery Language Focus on Programming/Retention Graduation rates GPA Seminar Student Driven Matching the universities’ mission and vision to our vision and mission

Physical Space

Physical Space UA’s facilities offer a safe space for students to find fellowship with students in recovery Finding a space requires a combined effort on behalf of administration and CRC staff

Physical Space Our space is designed to address 3 needs: Study Staff Computer lab Large tables Cabinets Printers Staff Receptionist Desk

Physical Space Lounge area 2 phone lines Staff room One for staff One for receptionist desk Staff room 3 computers WHITE NOISE MAKERS Locking file cabinets Shared drive for easy access Lounge area There are two lounge areas Main room is used for Seminars Back room is use for meetings with students

Physical Space UA’s facilities offer a safe space for students to find fellowship with students in recovery Finding a space requires a combined effort on behalf of administration and CRC staff Community is fostered among students in this space

Physical Space Security Building Access Confidential information UA uses student ID cards to give them building access (ACT Cards). Student have to be given student access to be let in the building. Confidential information Student Worker Logins and access Locked file cabinets in the office

Recruitment and Resources

Recruitment and Resources CRCs play a role in student development by helping refer to the many resources on campus. Due to budgeting constraints on UA’s CRC, we have learned how to form relationships with various student resources

Recruitment and Resources Resources we have connected with: Office of Disability Services Additional Test Time Marketing Resources Student Health Center Health promotion and Wellness Easy access to the clinic Academic Advisors Trying to put students in classes together Deans of Colleges Partnership Student Affairs

Recruitment and Resources These various departments work together with the UA CRC to give our students the resources they need. Utilizing the various resources on a campus helps reduce stressors in CRC members

Recruitment and Resources Recruiting students for the CRC is an important aspect of growth Developing relationships with treatment centers Abstinent based! Focus on centers with same values and mission The same resource relations can also wind up meeting students in recovery that had no idea about the CRC

Recruitment and Resources Recruiting students for the CRC is an important aspect of growth Developing relationships with treatment centers The same resource relations can also wind up meeting students in recovery that had no idea about the CRC

Finances Endowment Fundraising Giving Visiting Facilities Networking is the key Giving Allowing the community at large to see the CRC How to allow people to be a part of the CRC

References ARHE. (2015). History of Collegiate Recovery. Retrieved from http://collegiaterecovery.org/history/ Hellman, M. (2010). From myth of marginality to portrayal of an addictive society: Reporting on addictions in the Finnish press (1968-2006). Addiction Research and Theory, 18(2), 224- 242. doi:10.3109/16066350902836382

Questions