By Vincent Khan
Delta College has partnered with Ten16 Recovery Network to offer the Collegiate Recovery Education & Wellness (CREW) program to students. Their goal is to help students achieve their academic and personal goals. Substance use is a common and serious topic that this generation does not like to talk about.
Jessica Miller worked as a counselor at Delta for a decade before spending the last seven years at Ten16. She is already well-established in this community, and with her return to Delta, said she, “Believes in the mission of the community college and in creating a culture here that is recovery ready and recovery friendly.”
Ten16 first started 43 years ago in Midland County, it’s a proven company that helps those in need. Their main services for students are
- Student evaluations: One-on-one evaluation with a staff member to evaluate a student’s alcohol and drug use. Based on their results, students will receive feedback and recommendations for additional services.
- Wellness/recovery coaching: One-on-one meetings with a certified helper to help students take care of the social and academic challenges that come with college living.
- Education/early intervention: Classes for students whose behaviors may show a developing problem. The sessions are an early intervention for students at risk, providing skills for better decisions by mixing both education and experience.
- Support Groups/Social Events: Facilitated by CREW staff, these informal gatherings offer students the opportunity to share experiences and effective strategies. Events allow students to enjoy the college experience in a fun, safe way and build a sense of community with other students.
- Referral To Counseling: Juggling the responsibilities and stressors of college life can be challenging. Sometimes, a student may turn to misusing alcohol or drugs to manage those, and can make matters worse. The staff can connect a student with free, confidential counseling to talk through those challenges and develop skills to manage them in the future.
“Many people feel like substance use disorders are about a lack of will power and that it is a moral failing,” Miller said. “Finding recovery and daring to go into the unknown can be really challenging.”
Miller and her staff are people with lived experiences in recovery which may make it easier for students to open up to them. “We want to show people that recovery is possible and that you can even have fun while recovering.”
Whether you’re in recovery, looking to make changes to your substance use or are impacted by another person’s use around you, contact jessicamiller3@delta.edu. Offices are located in the D121 and are open to walk-ins without an appointment.
