USU Extension- Rural Wellness Initiative

02/02/2026

Have you attended one of our community workshops or seen our social media pages? Complete this short survey to help us understand how we can improve 💛 https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6rNujk6SEAM22O2

02/02/2026

Healthy development doesn’t happen by accident—and is built over time. Every supportive interaction counts. Stable family relationships, open communication, emotional validation, and strong community connections all work together as protective factors for children and teens. 💛

01/26/2026

Our next Crafting Change workshop is happening at the Museum of Uintah County February 26th, at 6:00pm. We will be making this fun shamrock garland! Cost is free and all materials are provided! Space is limited register early: https://forms.gle/1pmjRQvASnBv8z4K6

01/26/2026

Progress starts within, but it doesn’t stay there. Small steps toward growth matter. When we work toward becoming better, it helps strengthen the people and communities around us. 💛

01/22/2026

This Parents Empowered Month, try this simple conversation starter:

💬 “As you get older, you’ll see alcohol around more. Let’s talk about our family rules.”

01/21/2026

We are exploring bringing Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) training to Vernal—and we need your help to make it happen. If enough individuals register, Utah State University (USU) will host the in-person training locally for the Tri-County area.

What is CPSS?
A Certified Peer Support Specialist is someone who uses their lived experience in recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorder to support others. Through formal training, peers gain skills to promote recovery, resiliency, and hope in their communities.
Why this matters:
✔ Build a skilled peer workforce locally
✔ Expand recovery-oriented services
✔ Change lives through lived experience
How to sign up (and help bring the training to Vernal):
Visit: https://sumh.utah.gov/education/certification/peersupportspecialists/

01/19/2026

Anchor breathing is a quick grounding exercise that helps calm the body and bring your focus back to the present. When stress starts to rise, anchor breathing can help you pause, reset, and reconnect with your breath. Small moments of grounding can make a big difference. 💛

01/17/2026

The Museum of Uintah County is such an amazing community partner! Crafting Change classes are held monthly at the museum. Follow on Facebook for dates and times.

We had so much fun creating time capsules and learning about self-worth and acceptance with USU Extension- Rural Wellness Initiative. The presentation she had was a great reminder to everyone that you are already enough. All of the boxes designed to hold memories and reminders of self-worth turned out amazing! We love having these Crafting Change events hosted here. If you didn't make it to this one, fear not, as Crafting Change is a recurring event! Catch our next one in February- follow us to stay in the loop!

01/16/2026

✨ Join us for a Crafting Change: The Year of Enough Workshop!
Create your own vision board and reflect on what “enough” means to you in a supportive, creative space.
📍 Roosevelt Library
🗓 January 26 | ⏰ 6 PM
💚 Free & open to the community
🔗 Scan the QR code or follow the link to register: https://forms.gle/fAuBj9og9GiMJKG78

01/15/2026

What an incredible (and busy!) day yesterday facilitating Crafting Change workshops! 🌟

First stop: the Teen Center at UHS where we crafted beautiful dream catchers and had heartfelt conversations about chasing our dreams.

Then over to the museum, where we painted and decorated our 2026 “Year of Enough” memory boxes. Everyone had the chance to write a letter to their future self to tuck inside, completed the powerful prompt “I am already enough because…”, and added personal reminders celebrating that we are worthy exactly as we are right now. These boxes are now ready to collect treasured memories all throughout 2026. 💖

These moments with our local youth and being out with you in our community are pure magic. Grateful for the chance to create, connect, and spread positive vibes. Here’s to a year of dreaming big AND knowing we’re already whole. ✨

01/14/2026

As we celebrate Parents Empowered Month, here’s one reason to be proud:

Utah continues to have one of the lowest underage drinking rates in the nation, thanks to parents!