Author: Renae Byre

Job Corps Goes Tobacco-Free

It was 6:00PM on a Sunday evening. A group of about 50 Job Corps students gathered with several staff members to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new healthy, tobacco- free campus at the Quentin Burdick Job Corps in Minot. The students and staff gathered in the once-popular smoking section of campus. Caution tape tied from one outdoor ashtray to another was used for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The Director of Job Corps, Mr. Sheppard, declared Job Corps officially tobacco-free. The students and staff began to chant as the ribbon was cut: “Job Corps, Better, Job Corps, Better! ”
The students moved inside to the recreation center to conclude the celebration. First District Health staff presented an Award of Excellence to Mr. Shepard for the new strong, comprehensive, tobacco-free policy. The students lined up for a catered dinner, cake, drinks and games.

In preparation for this policy change on campus, Job Corps staff contacted First District Health Unit – Tobacco Prevention Division for guidance. First District provided a checklist and a sample comprehensive policy endorsed by the North Dakota Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy. Job Corps staff fulfilled all the items on the checklist in the process of implementing this high standard policy.
Helping current tobacco users quit was very important to the Job Corps staff and student leaders. Bonnie Riely, Tobacco Cessation Coordinator at First District Health, conducted two Kick Start classes on campus. About sixty students had their carbon monoxide levels tested, and received information on quitting tobacco. They also started the process of enrolling in NDQuits, the North Dakota quitline and web support program.
The student involvement in the process of policy change was extremely apparent. Students created posters, made decorations, participated in ribbon cutting, made the cake decorating recommendations and decided the time and location of the event. In addition, student leaders assistance with the Kick Start cessation classes.
As of Monday, January 26, 2015 when students, visitors, volunteers, staff, contractors, and community members enter campus it will be the new, better, Quentin Burdick Job Corps – a place that promotes a healthy work and learning environment where all tobacco products, including electronic devices and paraphernalia are prohibited.

It was 6:00PM on a Sunday evening. A group of about 50 Job Corps students gathered with several staff members to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new healthy, tobacco- free campus at the Quentin Burdick Job Corps in Minot. The students and staff gathered in the once-popular smoking section of campus. Caution tape tied from one outdoor ashtray to another was used for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The Director of Job Corps, Mr. Sheppard, declared Job Corps officially tobacco-free. The students and staff began to chant as the ribbon was cut: “Job Corps, Better, Job Corps, Better! ”
The students moved inside to the recreation center to conclude the celebration. First District Health staff presented an Award of Excellence to Mr. Shepard for the new strong, comprehensive, tobacco-free policy. The students lined up for a catered dinner, cake, drinks and games.
In preparation for this policy change on campus, Job Corps staff contacted First District Health Unit – Tobacco Prevention Division for guidance. First District provided a checklist and a sample comprehensive policy endorsed by the North Dakota Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy. Job Corps staff fulfilled all the items on the checklist in the process of implementing this high standard policy.
Helping current tobacco users quit was very important to the Job Corps staff and student leaders. Bonnie Riely, Tobacco Cessation Coordinator at First District Health, conducted two Kick Start classes on campus. About sixty students had their carbon monoxide levels tested, and received information on quitting tobacco. They also started the process of enrolling in NDQuits, the North Dakota quitline and web support program.
The student involvement in the process of policy change was extremely apparent. Students created posters, made decorations, participated in ribbon cutting, made the cake decorating recommendations and decided the time and location of the event. In addition, student leaders assistance with the Kick Start cessation classes.
As of Monday, January 26, 2015 when students, visitors, volunteers, staff, contractors, and community members enter campus it will be the new, better, Quentin Burdick Job Corps – a place that promotes a healthy work and learning environment where all tobacco products, including electronic devices and paraphernalia are prohibited.