2013 Training for Intervention Procedures Program (TIPS) Award for Excellence Given to Ferris State University

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Jul 18, 2013, 08:45 ET

ARLINGTON, Va., July 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Communications, Inc. (HCI), provider of the TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) Program, is pleased to announce that Ferris State University (FSU) in Big Rapids, Michigan has been awarded the 2013 TIPS Award for Excellence. Recipients of the Award for Excellence are chosen by an internal committee headed by Health Communication's President & CEO, Adam Chafetz. Selection is based on the number of students certified, as well as feedback from TIPS Trainers, student participants, and community leaders. Four other campuses also received this year's award. According to Mr. Chafetz, "Ferris State implements TIPS training in a variety of ways. Whether through its Hospitality Management Program, Student Activities, or Greek Affairs office, Ferris State takes a proactive, system-wide approach by training the hospitality professionals of tomorrow while making sure their students are safe today."

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Since 1996, FSU's Hospitality Management Program has offered the TIPS for On Premise certification course to its hospitality majors under the guidance of Professor Julie Doyle, Coordinator of Hospitality Programs and 17-year TIPS Trainer. Faculty members and certified TIPS trainers Dr. Lianne Briggs, and Kathryn Wolfer also offer TIPS certification through FSU. "All of our hospitality graduates possess the skills to manage a successful beverage operation. They learn during the interview process that their nationally recognized TIPS certification represents an additional advantage over non-certified candidates," commented Dr. Lianne Briggs.

In addition to offering this edge to its hospitality graduates, FSU's Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services trains registered student organizations (RSO's) including fraternities and sororities, as well as resident advisors (RA's) in the TIPS for the University Program. As a result of FSU's multifaceted approach, over 3,000 students and community members have been certified in the TIPS program.

FSU is also helping prevent the misuse of alcohol in the wider community. For example, FSU's Student Affairs Office partnered with the Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce to sponsor TIPS Certification Courses for all establishments that serve or sell alcohol in the community. Begun over a decade ago, FSU plans continued support for this effort in 2013 and beyond.

About Health Communications, Inc.

Health Communications, Inc. (HCI) was founded in 1982 by Dr. Morris Chafetz, founding director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, HCI is a nationally recognized expert in the field of alcohol training. Its flagship program, TIPS, was the first of its kind and continues to set industry standards for this type of training. Numerous public officials and government agencies have recognized and endorsed TIPS training as life-saving and critical to the progress made in reducing alcohol-related injuries and deaths. More information can be found at www.gettips.com.