Student Outreach Services

Executive Summary

Housed under the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management’ Wellness Center, the Office of Outreach Services provides holistic wellness services relative to behavioral and mental health impediments on the primary public health level to all current students (full or part-time) enrolled at Fort Valley State University (FVSU) and residents of Peach, Macon-Bibb, Macon, and Dooly counties. Outreach services focuses on five main areas of focus: general mental health for youth and adults, substance abuse prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, suicide prevention, and sexual violence prevention and risk-reduction. In addition to these correlative health indices, services entail retention-based activities for LGBTQIA youth and complimentary programming designed to meet unacquired social determinants of health, specifically in the areas of food, clothing, personal hygiene, housing, all relative to sustained wholistic homeostasis. Supported at a 100% level of operations by State, Federal and private funding sources, the Office has acquired over $3,740,000 since it’s independent status as a stand-alone unit with the Wellness Center in support of its campus and community wide programming. Administrative and programmatic leadership for the varying initiative is comprised of three-full time staff, consisting of a Director, Coordinator, and Clerical Aid, approximately 30 peer educators, 10 community based organizational (CBO) partners from the four targeted counties of Peach, Macon-Bibb, Macon, and Dooly Counties and contributing FVSU faculty and staff.  

Outreach Unit Peer Leadership

OUTREACH UNIT – HIV/AIDS PREVENTION HIV remains a pressing public health challenge, particularly among minority college students who face higher rates of infection and unique barriers to prevention. According to national data, Black Americans account for roughly 40% of new HIV diagnoses despite representing only 12% of the U.S. population, with young adults aged 20–24 experiencing some of the highest infection rates. On college campuses, especially in rural or under-resourced communities. Stigma, misinformation, and limited access to culturally competent healthcare hinder testing, treatment, and open dialogue about sexual health. The Outreach Unit’s Peer Educator Program (PEP) combats these challenges by training student leaders, faculty, and staff to deliver targeted, evidence-based education. By normalizing conversations, promoting safe practices, and connecting students to critical health services, PEP works to dismantle barriers and reduce new infections. 

OUTREACH UNIT – SUICIDE PREVENTION Suicide is now the third leading cause of death among Black youth ages 15–24, with recent years showing the sharpest increases among young Black men and LGBTQ+ students of color. Minority college students, especially those in rural settings, often face intersecting stressors such as racial trauma, financial strain, and a lack of accessible, culturally responsive mental health care. Stigma around seeking help can leave many students isolated until a crisis point is reached. Through the Peer Educator Program (PEP), the Outreach Unit empowers students, campus leaders and community partners to engage in honest, stigma-reducing conversations about mental wellness. By fostering peer support networks, building resilience, and guiding students toward timely professional help, PEP aims to prevent tragedies and strengthen the mental health safety net for the entire campus community. 

OUTREACH UNIT – SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION The Outreach Unit works to prevent the mental, physical, and social harm caused by substance misuse. Through the Outreach’s Unit’s Peer Educator Program (PEP), trained students, faculty, staff, and community partners deliver engaging, culturally responsive programs on and off campus. Nationally, over one-third of college students binge drink, and misuse drugs like prescription stimulants and opioids, and these rates are rising. Minority students often face higher risks and fewer resources, increasing the chance of untreated substance use disorders and related health concerns. FVSU empowers students with the tools and support to make informed choices and achieve their goals. 

OUTREACH UNIT – SEXUAL VIOLENCE RISK REDUCTION The Outreach Unit is committed to preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors. 

Using its Peer Educator Program (PEP), student leaders, faculty, staff, and community partners promote respect, teach bystander intervention, and provide resources for prevention, help and healing. Nationally, 1 in 5 undergraduate women and 1 in 16 men experience sexual assault, with students of color often facing higher risks and more barriers to reporting. Sexual violence impacts academic success, mental health, and safety. FVSU works to build a campus culture where every student can learn in an environment free from harm. 

OUTREACH UNIT – GAY-STRAIGHT-ALLIANCE (JOY) Just Open Yourself… 

Vision 

Just Open Yourself (J.O.Y.) at FVSU is a next-generation LGBTQ+ organization which promotes a deeper awareness of the historical and current contributions of the community, while preparing participants for sustained leadership roles 

Mission Statement 

The mission of Fort Valley State University's Gay-Straight Alliance/JOY (Just Open Yourself) is to promote diversity, and inclusion on campus, while fostering respect for all individuals regardless of sexual orientation 

Objectives 

• Provide the FVSU LGBTQ+ community with expanded mental, behavioral, social, and physical health resources. 

· Create a sense of family within the LGBTQ+ Community. 

• Strengthen the expansion of local community involvement and support, as led by members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

· Develop a relationship between the LGBTQ+ and heterosexual community to eliminate discrimination based upon sexual orientation, stigma and gender identity.

• • HIV / AIDS Prevention
  • Substance Abuse Prevention
  • Sexual Violence Prevention
  • Sexual Violence Risk Reduction
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Just Open Yourself (JOY)/GSA
  • Mental Health Awareness
  • Peer Educators – Administrative Support
  • The Vault Ft. Tommy's Closet 

Current Programming

A.    Violence Avoidance Leadership Uplifting Education (VALUE): Supported through funding from the Department of Justice, the VALUE Initiative seeks to stop school violence amongst school aged youth in the counties of Peach, Bibb, Dooly, and Macon via engaging cognitive behavioral trainings, and to also train adults on recognizing the signs of a troubled young person.
B.    Training Encounters Advancing Mental Health (TEAM): Supported through funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services, the TEAM initiative seeks to empower adults with built capacities in identifying behaviors indicative of the progression of serious mental health illnesses and immediate referrals to mental health service agents and tertiary providers of support.
C.    Shepherds in the Valley (SIV-Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative): Co-Awarded from the Georgia Departments of Public Health (DPH) and Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) via a 5-term renewable allocation and 1-year close-out grant, SIV targets male-identifying members of athletic programs, fraternal organizations, and general student body with evidence-based practices (EBP) guided lessons on what constitutes sexual harassment and violence.
D.    Mary Magdalene Initiative (MM-Sexual Violence Risk Reduction Initiative): Co-Awarded from the Georgia Departments of Public Health (DPH) and Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) via a 5-term renewable allocation and 1-year close-out grant, MM targets female-identifying members of the student body with EBP guided lessons designed to build awareness of what constitutes sexual harassment and violence and the subsequent emergence of solidarity amongst women. 
E.    Be the Sober One (BTSO-Substance Abuse Prevention): Supported from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, BTSO supports FVSU students and residents of Peach and Bibb counties with raised capacities on identifying the comprehensive risks of alcohol abuse, including of driving while impaired, and incompliance with seatbelt utilization.
F.    Cultivating Leadership & Wildcat Services (CLAWS-Track II): Student Development): Supported through funding from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities CLAWS addresses behavioral health impediments than when uninterrupted may result in detrimental life-consequences for FVSU students.
G.    Just Open Yourself (JOY-Gay Straight Alliance (GSA): Integrated within all programming areas, JOY seeks to ensure that members of the LGBTQIA community are afforded heightened opportunities to participate in behavioral health programming, as the community is disproportionately impacted by all areas.
H.    The Vault featuring Tommy’s Closet: Supported by Institutional and community resources, inclusive of alumni, faculty, staff, students, churches and business, the Vault supplies FVSU students with Masloic-driven goods relative to food, clothing, and personal hygiene.
 

Prevention Training

• Adult ALC and VOICES Presentation 2021-HIV/ AIDS and Substance Abuse Prevention
• Peer Educator Led HIV/AIDS Prevention Zoom Video
• Peer Educator Led Substance Abuse Prevention Zoom Video

Supportive Documentation

• VOICES/VOCES – Safe in the City
• ALC Student Worksheets

Outreach Programming Supported By: