2007 ANGEL IMPACT Awards - Exemplary ANGEL Program

Award Recipient

SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia C.A.R.E.S.
Fredonia, NY

Contributors

Jeff Janicki, Counselor; Tracy Stenger, Counselor

Program Description

A fresh look at the SUNY Fredonia ANGEL adoption found counselors in the Fredonia C.A.R.E.S. alcohol and substance abuse program viewing ANGEL as a possible way to improve program attendance. When Fredonia C.A.R.E.S. implemented ANGEL, program efficiency and program participation both increased and center counselors’ very unique ANGEL use earned the program a 2007 ANGEL IMPACT Award.

Prior to implementing ANGEL all Fredonia C.A.R.E.S. meetings were held face-to-face and students were required to stop by the counseling center prior to each session to complete paperwork. With the ANGEL adoption, all paperwork and one counseling session were completed online.  Completing paperwork online in ANGEL improved program administration. The success of the online therapy component is the program’s notable achievement. Students participating in the online session were anonymous to one another, although counselors saw who was participating. Counselors were surprised to find that anonymity increased student participation and improved the quality of the therapy sessions. They also found that requiring only two face-to-face sessions increased the program completion rate. Their initial ANGEL success has program counselors looking for additional ways to use ANGEL to improve counseling center services.