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Health Promotions Programming

Health Promotion Programming General Information
Overview / Health Resources / Alcohol, Tobacco & Drugs

Ways to get involved
Health Promotion Programming is always looking for Peer Educators who want to be proactive in helping the college become a healthier campus! Studies show that Peer Educators make a large impact on the health behaviors of their peers. All Peer Educators will go through a nationally-certified training program (that can be used on other college campuses), as well as enhance their skills in leadership, team-building and program planning.

OVERVIEW
What We Do
Health Promotion Programming strives to create a campus culture in which members make informed and responsible decisions about personal and community health. It is our commitment to provide resources that will help students, staff, and the community develop life skills to assist them in making responsible choices about health-related behaviors.

This program coordinates initiatives, facilitates collaboration, and provides training, resources, and educational opportunities in the following areas:

  • access to health care services
  • alcohol and other drugs
  • nutrition and body image
  • mental health
  • relationship issues
  • sexual health
  • stress management

Services We Provide
Health Promotion Programming actively pursues ways of working with and for the students in order to promote healthy lifestyles on the PSC campus. Services we provide, but not limited to, are:

  • individual referrals to health care resources
  • limited individual counseling
  • organized group discussions on health issues
  • presentations and outreach tables on health topics
  • workshops and trainings about health-related issues
  • healthcare trainings (CPR, defibrillator, Heimlich Maneuver)
  • nursing mothers room (room 4175)
HEALTH RESOURCES

Access to Health Care Services
We are fortunate to have many local health and social agencies available for use in the South Suburbs. Below you will find a list of the many organizations that you may contact for services.

Advocate South Suburban Hospital (708) 799-8000
17800 South Kedzie Avenue, Hazel Crest, IL 60629
Advocate South Suburban Hospital is an acute-care facility providing a wide range of comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic, and ambulatory medical services. In addition to offering a wide array of hospital services, this not-for-profit facility provides free screenings and a variety of other outreach services throughout the community. Some of the many services offered at Advocate South Suburban Hospital include free community screenings and health education programs throughout the year, school-based outreach, an asthma education program, and a partnership with Aunt Martha's Healthcare Network to operate a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) on the hospital's campus.

American Cancer Society (708) 633-7770
17060 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Together with our millions of supporters, the American Cancer Society (ACS) saves lives and creates a world with less cancer and more birthdays by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., the ACS has 12 chartered divisions, more than 900 local offices nationwide, and a presence in more than 5,100 communities.

Aunt Martha's Healthcare Network (877) 692-8686
233 West Joe Orr Road, Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Aunt Martha's operates 5 community health centers in the south suburban cook county service area. Our services include Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, and OB/GYNE services. We provide these services to men, women, and children, regardless of their ability to pay. Aunt Martha's accepts various forms of insurance such as Medicaid, Medicare, PPO's, and people who are uninsured. In addition to the medical services, Aunt Martha's operates one teen clinic in Chicago Heights and a men's clinic in Hazel Crest. Services such as family planning, case management, pregnancy testing, HIV/AIDS testing, breast and cervical cancer screens and a variety of other health screens and programs are available at no additional costs. The communities where the clinics are located are Chicago Heights (2 clinics), Hazel Crest, Harvey, and South Holland.

Catholic Charities Regional Services South (708) 333-8379
16100 Seton Drive, South Holland, IL 60473
Whether young or old, hungry or addicted, homeless or friendless, Catholic Charities works with all clients, bringing them help and hope. With 157 programs at 162 locations throughout Cook and Lake Counties, Catholic Charities serves virtually every neighborhood in the Chicagoland area. For 95 years, they have empowered families and individuals of all races and religious backgrounds to realize their full potential. Last year Catholic Charities touched the lives of more than 1.1 million people. Their broad spectrum of services helps people from conception through the last stages of their lives. They keep mothers and their babies well-fed, prepare children in low-income families for school, and provide families with shelter and affordable housing for seniors. Catholic Charities also organizes in-home care services for seniors who need help caring for themselves.

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) (708) 633-4000
15900 S. Cicero Avenue, Oak Forest, IL 60452
CCDPH is the state certified public health agency for suburban Cook County with the exception of Burbank, Evanston, Forest View, Skokie, Oak Park, and Stickney Township. These five municipalities and one township have separate, state certified public health departments and are operated locally. CCDPH is the public health agency of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System. The Agency strives to meet the health needs of individuals and families through effective and efficient disease prevention and health promotion programs. There are four district clinics: Markham, Bridgeview, Maywood and Rolling Meadows. Ambulatory/Network Clinics are in Ford Heights, Cicero, Oak Forest, Phoenix, Palatine, and Robbins, and a TB clinic in Forest Park. Cook County Hospitals: Provident and Stroger Hospitals are located in Chicago. All services are by appointment only. For detailed information, see their website: www.cookcountypublichealth.org

Grand Prairie Services (866) 477-8632
450 W 14 Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Grand Prairie Services (GPS) is a not-for-profit behavioral healthcare provider with more than 59 years of experience providing mental health services for the children, adolescents, adults, and seniors living in the thirty-two municipalities of Bloom, Bremen, Rich, and Thornton townships. The mission of GPS is the provision of holistic emotional and behavioral health services for individuals, families, and communities of the Southland region with an emphasis on recovery and optimal functioning.

Ingalls Health System (708) 915-6710
One Ingalls Drive, Harvey, IL 60426
Ingalls Health System includes a 563-bed hospital and a network of comprehensive outpatient centers that feature a full array of high-tech diagnostic and treatment services and the area's only Urgent Aid Centers for 24/7 access to minor emergency care. Ingalls is recognized for clinical excellence and achievements in cancer, heart, retina surgery, orthopedics, rehabilitation, stroke care and gastroenterology.

The Cancer Support Center (708) 798-9171
2028 Elm Road, Homewood, IL 60430
The Cancer Support Center provides programs and services at no cost for people affected by cancer in more than 70 communities in the southland area. Programs include: monthly networking groups, weekly support groups, individual counseling, art therapy, personal nutrition consults, education classes, stress management, and exercise. In addition, their facilities also house a wig boutique for individuals who have lost their hair due to treatment. Visitors are fitted with a brand new wig of their choice free of charge. The center is supported by The Village Door, a consignment shop of unique collections, which is operated entirely by volunteers and all proceeds benefit The Cancer Support Center. Their programs also are generously funded through donations from individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations. The Cancer Support Center is conveniently located at 2028 Elm Road in Homewood [(708) 798-9171] and 19250 S. Everett Lane in Mokena [(708) 478-3529]. For additional information regarding their programs, services, or volunteer opportunities, please contact Cynthia Turnquest, Manager of Community Relations, at (708) 798-9171.

Prairie State College (708) 709-3500
202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411

Counseling and Academic Advising Center (CAAC) (708) 709-3506
Members of the CAAC are available to address the personal, academic, and vocational needs of the student population. Individual, short term counseling is provided as well as referrals to nearby human services agencies. Students receive academic advising throughout the semester by receiving information about the various programs the college offers and are able to plan their course schedules accordingly. The CAAC is located on the first floor in room 1190 (adjacent to the Library). Hours: Monday -Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fitness Center (708) 709-3779 The Prairie State College Fitness Center, located in the Tech Wing on the west side of the Main Building, is open to students, staff, and the community. For just a fraction of the price of many other health clubs, PSC's fitness center offers free weights, treadmills, elliptical trainers, standing weight machines, stair climbers, stationary bikes, and more! Individual fitness levels are assessed by our well trained, friendly staff, and a personalized program is designed to help you achieve fitness-related goals. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 12 noon..

Nursing Mother’s Room #4175 (708) 709-7777
PSC offers a designated, private area for nursing mothers located on the fourth floor of the main building. To request entry assistance, please contact the PSC Police Department at ext. 7777.

Police Department (708) 709-7777
Campus safety and security is coordinated by the Prairie State College Police Department. The main college campus and its satellite facility are located in areas with highly trained police and fire departments, equipped to handle any emergency. If a major or serious crime occurs at any sponsored event, the police from the affected jurisdiction will be summoned. The department operates in cooperation with other municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Pass Pregnancy Care Center (708) 614-9777
17214 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Pregnancy Aid South Suburbs (PASS) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that has provided a safe, non-judgmental environment for pregnancy, parenting, family, relationship, and restoration resources for women and men since 1983. Free and confidential services include: Support for women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy verification, limited ultrasounds, pregnancy options information, referral assistance for adoption, housing, or medical needs, emotional and spiritual support, relationship, parenting, and life-skill classes, and newborn to 2T Baby Supplies.

Safe Haven
What is the Safe Haven law? Safe Haven Infant Protection laws enable a person to give up an unwanted infant anonymously. As long as the baby has not been abused, the person may do so without fear of arrest or prosecution.

An infant can be left, up to 30 days old, with a staff member at any hospital, fire station, police station, or emergency medical services provider in Illinois. For more information, please visit the Safe Haven website at www.safehaven.tv or contact the Safe Haven hotline at 888-510-BABY to receive counseling and get details on the address and directions to the closest safe haven in your state.

Clean Air
Smoke/Tobacco Free at PSC, It’s a Healthy Place to Be!
Effective July 1, 2015 tobacco products will be prohibited on campus. (Smoking will be allowed inside vehicles in parking lots).

Resources for Smoking Cessation

For PSC Benefited Employees

In compliance with Illinois State Law, a policy has been adopted making PSC a 100% smoke/tobacco free campus effective July 1, 2015. The use of tobacco products is prohibited from all college buildings, on college grounds including parking lots, and in college vehicles. Use of tobacco in personal vehicles is permitted.

Download the policy to view in its entirety.

Enforcement
Police Department will monitor the College to ensure compliance with the Smoke Free Campus Act (110 ILCS 64) and PSC Board Policy C-11. At the discretion of Police Department Officers, citations will be given as follows:

  • 1st offense: $25.00 fine or participation in tobacco use cessation class
  • 2nd offense: $25.00 fine
  • 3rd offense and each offense thereafter: $50 fine

In compliance with the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82), persons who smoke within 15 feet of any entrance or inside any building or college-owned vehicle may be fined in an amount that is $100 for a first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense.

Healthy Eating
College is a time when students are coming into their own. Choosing the right things to eat can sometimes be a difficult task. Please use the resources below as a guide to develop and maintain proper dietary choices. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Marie Hansel, DNP, RN, Vice President, Academic Affairs.

United States Department of Agriculture
www.choosemyplate.gov
ChooseMyPlate.gov allows you to receive information on how to maintain a healthy eating regimen. You can find information on physical activity, maintaining a proper weight, and healthy eating tips.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available to provide information on maintaining health eating and weight habits.

Eat This Much
https/www.eatthismuch.com
Eat this much is an online and app tool that will assist users to live a healthier life. This tool serves as a personal diet assistant that lets the user determine the daily number of calories and makes food suggestions to help you meet your daily target. You can assess Eat This Much by going to the website or by downloading the app. You can sign-up for a free account to customize foods and maintain your calorie tracker. Eat This Much provides tips and nutritional information on healthier eating, better food choices, and recipes.

Sexual Health
Sexual health can lead to a safer life. As you know, practicing safe sex, or practicing abstinence, cannot only protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, but it can also prevent unintended pregnancies. We aspire to encourage safer sexual practices, practice healthy relationships, and promote safer practices that will not hinder your academic capabilities as a student. Both male and female condoms are available. If you are looking for information or have questions about sexual health, please feel free to stop by our Allied Health and Emergency Services department (located on the second floor, southwest hallway, 2200 wing).

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention
HIV Testing is available each month and provided by Christian Community Health Center. A Testing schedule can be found here http://www.cchc-online.org/services.

Personal STD Risk Assessment
Prairie State College provides a confidential online STD assessment that can help determine if you need to get tested. The following link takes you directly to the STD Wizard. This tool allows you to answer questions specific to your lifestyle to find your STD risk. Please visit www.stdwizard.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/sexualhealth/
The Centers for Disease Control provides information on various sexually transmitted infections as well as tips for safer sexual practices. Please visit http://www.cdc.gov/sexualhealth

Herpes.org
Herpes.org provides online resources for help with herpes and (HPV) Human Papillomavirus, along with treatment and health resources information. You can also contact the Herpes hotline at 919-3661-8488 or visit http://www.herpes.org/

Sexual Violence Prevention
Sexual Violence Prevention is defined as the act or practice of stopping something bad (sexual violence) from happening : the act of preventing something (sexual violence)

Prairie State College is committed to creating a safe environment for our students. Along with providing educational materials on sexual assault and domestic violence, students are also able to attend programs and events held throughout the year.

Domestic Violence
Is defined as inflicting of physical injury by one family or household member on another; also :  a repeated or habitual pattern of such behavior

Local Domestic Violence Agencies:

  • South Suburban Family Shelter, www.ssfs1.org
    1-708-335-3028 (24-Hour Crisis Hotline)
  • Crisis Center for South Suburbia, www.crisisctr.org
    1-708-429-SAFE (7233) (24-Hour Crisis Hotline)

Online Domestic Violence Resources:

  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline
    www.thehotline.org | 1-800-799-7233 | Twitter: @ndvh

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
www.ncadv.org | 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) | 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) (24-Hour Crisis Hotline)

Sexual Assault
Is defined as illegal sexual contact that usually involves force upon a person without consent or is inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent (as because of age or physical or mental incapacity) or who places the assailant (as a doctor) in a position of trust or authority

Online Sexual Assault Resources:

The Sexual Violence Prevention eCheckup To Go (electronic Check-Up to Go) is an interactive web survey that allows Prairie State College students to learn information related to sexual violence. The assessment takes about 10 minutes to complete, is self-guided, and requires no face-to-face contact time with a counselor or administrator.
The Sexual Violence eCheckup To Go is a brief self-assessment that will provide you with accurate and detailed information:

  • To describe and remind you of the many things you, your friends and colleagues can do to help stop sexual violence on our campus and in our community.
  • To reinforce and expand the ways you can take action to minimize your chance of being impacted by sexual assault.

*You will not be asked, at any time, to enter your name or any other identifying information.*
All the information you enter is completely anonymous and will only be able to be viewed by you. Information you provide will not affect your standing at this university.

Definitions retrieved from Merriam Webster Online: http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Stress Management
As a college student, at times you may feel that you are overwhelmed with stress. Health Promotion Programming wants to help you understand the definition of stress as well as learn healthy ways to address stressful situations. Stress can come in many forms (i.e. giving a speech, watching your favorite team win a game, taking an exam, winning a raffle prize, etc.). Understanding the difference between positive stress (eustress) and negative stress (distress) and trying not to allow your stress to become negative stress is the key to managing stress.

University of Georgia

  • The University Health Center
    http://www.uhs.uga.edu/stress/
    The University Health Center provides tips and information on how to deal with and manage stress.
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND OTHER DRUGS

Overview
Prairie State College is in support of creating an environment that promotes health and safety for all faculty, staff, and students. Preventative and support programs - trainings, counseling, rehabilitation, support groups, licensed and confidential  assistance, and peer mentoring - are available to both

employees and students.

Alcohol 
Did you know that excessive alcohol use is the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death for the nation? Below you will find information that will help you make informed decisions about alcohol use.

What is a drink?
A standard drink is any drink that contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. You can typically find this in a

  • 12 ounce can of beer
  • 5 ounce glass of wine
  • 1.5 ounce of 80 proof liquor

Patterns of drinking alcohol
Binge drinking is defined as 4 or more drinks for women or 5 or more drinks for men at one time.
Heavy drinking is considered 1 or more drinks for women or 2 or more drinks for men on average.
Excessive drinking is defined as either binge drinking, heavy drinking, or both.

What are risks of high blood alcohol levels?
Having a high blood alcohol content (BAC) can lead to unintentional injuries, accidents, violence, unintended pregnancy, transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, acquaintance rape and many other dangerous situations.

Responsible Drinking
There are ways that you can drink in a responsible manner. Some suggestions for responsible drinking are:

  • “Party” without drinking alcoholic beverages
  • Keep track of the number of drinks you consume
  • Pace drinking to one drink or less per hour; allow time in between drinks

Remember, a person who maintains a safer drink level is less likely to harm themselves or others.

 Do not drink alcohol if you:

  • are under the age of 21
  • are feeling pressured to drink
  • might be pregnant
  • are using other drugs (prescription, over the counter or others)
  • will be driving

Health Promotion Programming offers the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) program. BASICS allows you to evaluate your alcohol use in a non-critical manner. This program is meant to help reduce risky behaviors and is not meant as therapy or substance abuse treatment. For more information on BASICS contact Marie Hansel, DNP RN, Vice President, Academic Affairs.

e-Checkup-to-Go
The e-Checkup-to Go Alcohol and Marijuana is a brief and confidential assessment and feedback tool
designed to reduce use of alcohol abuse. The assessment takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The assessment is self-guided by the computer and requires no face-to-face contact time with a counselor or administrator. Upon completion, students may meet with an on-campus counselor to discuss their results or receive additional information that will help lower the risk of alcohol abuse.

Choose Responsibly
http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/alcohol_education/
Choose Responsibly is available to learn more information regarding alcohol education.

Tobacco
Have you tried to quit smoking? Have you tried to help a friend or loved one try to quit smoking? Would you like to learn more information on smoking or tobacco? If you have answered yes to any one of these questions, you have come to the right place! Health Promotion Programming offers information on smoking,as well as tips on how to reduce/quit smoking. Some benefits to quitting smoking include saving money, more productivity, and overall better health. 

Prairie State College enforces the Clean Air/Smoke Free Environment in alignment with the Smoke Free Illinois Act. View the policy in its entirety.

The American Lung Association
The American Lung Association provides information on how to quit smoking, increasing lung health, and other information on the effects of smoking to yourself and the environment.

Other Drugs
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. We are pleased to announce that most Prairie State students do not use marijuana. Of those students that have used marijuana in the past, the majority have not done so within the last 30 days. Below you find resources that you may use to gain more information about marijuana and other drugs. If you have any additional questions, contact Marie Hansel, DNP RN, Vice President, Academic Affairs.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is available to help you find information about prevention, treatment, and publications for various substances.

eCheckup to go
eCheckup To Go: Alcohol
The Alcohol eCheckup To Go (electronic Check-Up to Go) is an interactive web survey that allows Prairie State College students to enter information about their drinking patterns and receive feedback about their use of alcohol. The assessment takes about 6-7 minutes to complete, is self-guided, and requires no face-to-face contact time with a counselor or administrator.

The Alcohol eCheckup To Go is a brief self-assessment that will provide you with accurate and detailed information about:

  • Your personal risk patterns 
  • Your individual level of alcohol tolerance 
  • Your unique family risk factors Harm reduction strategies 
  • Helpful resources at Prairie State College and in our community 

*You will not be asked, at any time, to enter your name or any other identifying information.*

All the information you enter is completely anonymous and will only be able to be viewed by you. Information you provide will not affect your standing at this university.

echeckup to go
eCheckup To Go: Marijuana

Marijuana eCheckup To Go (electronic Checkup To Go) is a marijuana-specific brief assessment and feedback tool designed to reduce marijuana use among Prairie State College students. The assessment takes about 10-15 minutes to complete, is self-guided, and requires no face-to-face contact time with a counselor or administrator. Upon completion you may meet with the Health Promotion Coordinator to discuss your results if you desire.

*You will not be asked, at any time, to enter your name or any other identifying information.*

All the information you enter is completely anonymous and will only be able to be viewed by you. Information you provide will not affect your standing at this university.