Kappa Kappa Gamma Is Bringing New Educational Series to Members

Feb. 20, 2018 – Kappa Kappa Gamma is proud to announce the addition of a harm-reduction educational series. The new series is a component of Kappa’s Every Member Education and includes the Alcohol Skills Training Program (ASTP), Behind Happy Faces (a mental health and wellness program), sexual assault prevention training, and diversity and inclusion training. The courses are led by trained facilitators and support the organization’s membership expectations and values.

“We are aware of the unique challenges our members, specifically our collegians, are facing in today’s world,” Fraternity President Beth Black said. “Through Every Member Education and the addition of this new educational series, we are providing our members with relevant and useful tools and resources.”

“Our goal is to promote awareness and understanding among our membership on these critical topics,” said Marla Williams, Director of Education and Training. “Through these conversations, we hope our members will be more informed and confident when making decisions regarding these challenges.”

Piloted during 2016–17, ASTP educates members about the effects of alcohol on their bodies and promotes awareness about the risks associated with drinking. Additionally, a prescription drug component has been added to the curriculum. By the end of the 2017–18 academic year, more than half of Kappa Kappa Gamma chapters will have received ASTP.

“ASTP advocates responsible behavior as a participant, friend, and sister,” Williams said. “We’re already seeing the impact ASTP is having on our members with 90 percent of the members who have received this program stating that they learned something new.”

Currently in the pilot phase, Behind Happy Faces is a mental health program developed by author and mental health expert Ross Szabo. The program educates members about mental health, coping skills, suicide prevention, and how to be a friend to someone in need of help. In addition to the in-person training, online courses are available to all members, including adviser-specific courses. Additionally, a mental health assessment tool on Kappa’s website is available to members as well as the general public. In the 2018–19 academic year, over 50 chapters will receive the Behind Happy Faces in-person training.

“The statistics on mental health are overwhelming,” Williams said. “One in five adults has a mental health condition. We want to provide our members of all ages with the skills they need to manage their mental health and support those who have a mental health condition.”

Kappa plans to add sexual assault prevention training to the education series in fall 2018 and a diversity and inclusion component in 2019.

With support from the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, every collegiate member will receive this educational series as part of her Kappa experience.