USU Extension- Rural Wellness Initiative

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!

01/14/2026

📣Upcoming event!!

Check out our upcoming Couples Communication Seminar! Learn with your spouse or partner how to more effectively communicate through lifes' ups and downs.

Saturday, February 7, 2026
10:00 am-12:00 pm
$75 per couple
Lunch included

Sign up using the QR code and we'll reach out to you!

01/12/2026

Support is a powerful protective factor. Even one supportive adult can strengthen resilience, encourage better choices, and make a lasting difference. Remember that simply showing up matters, more than you may realize in the moment.💛

01/08/2026

Comfort food that is delicious and affordable? Yes, please!

01/08/2026

✨ Living Well with Chronic Pain Workshop (Virtual) ✨

Living with chronic pain can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. 💙 Join us for Living Well with Chronic Pain, a supportive 6-week virtual workshop where you’ll learn practical, evidence-based skills to better manage pain—while connecting with others who get it.

📅 Workshop Dates: Tuesdays starting February 10, 2026,
with a 30-minute info session on Tuesday, February 3 at 10 AM to meet the facilitators, learn about the program outline, and ask your questions.

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
💻 Location: Virtual via Zoom

📌 Pre-register by February 6th
🔗 https://www.compasshp.org/workshops/registration/18694
📞 Questions? Call Gabi at 385-268-6543

Take a step toward feeling more confident, capable, and supported in your pain management journey. 💫

01/05/2026

Bond as a family AND have the opportunity to win fun local prizes!!

Strong family connection helps prevent underage drinking!

January is Parents Empowered month and we want every family to get in on the fun!

Enter the drawings by visiting parentsempowered.org and eating dinner as a family 3 days during the week. After you have completed those activities, scan the QR code or go to https://forms.office.com/r/8ca2eCqiMm to enter your information. Each week we will choose 5 winners.