Step UP! has been adopted by many organizations, from universities to businesses, government agencies to nonprofits, and beyond. The issues may vary, but everyone can make a difference. We try to cast the net as far and wide as we can. Our point is that no matter who you are, everyone can Step UP!

No. Although Step UP! was originally created with student-athletes in mind, it quickly became clear that the concepts and trainings were applicable across demographics. We have presented to businesses and organizations, government entities, nonprofits, healthcare workers, environmental agencies, and many others.

We all have been or will be faced with a situation in which it would help to have the skills and know strategies to be of assistance. Contact us to find out more about how we can apply it to your group!

Buy-in usually is not difficult. Who wouldn’t want to avoid problems if possible? Because the approach is so different—interdisciplinary, comprehensive, and focuses on the majority of students or other participants who want to do the right thing and because past participants have responded so positively—decision makers are generally eager to endorse it.

Step UP! training duration depends on your time frame. The Step UP! foundational training should be at least 90 minutes to 2 hours, and another 90 minutes for the advanced training (to be done within 6 months of the initial training). 

Step UP! can be taught in classes and/or facilitated in day-long retreats, online or in person. Once you have done the initial training, you can then focus on specific topics and circle back to the foundational training for scenarios and implementation strategies taught in that session. For more ideas, contact us.

Some make it mandatory, although most participants attend on their own. It can change the dynamic of the group if people are there reluctantly, but by the end of the training, even those who are there reluctantly most likely will be engaged and participating because the training is interactive and engaging.

Larger groups allow for more people to be trained. Smaller groups allow for more participation, reflection, discussion, and sharing. In either case, the Step UP! bystander intervention program training is customized for your particular needs.

It depends on the time but 2 scenarios should be enough to get participants familiar with the principles, and then they can apply to any situation. See where the participants take you with the discussion. For facilitators, we provide guidance before you begin training other participants. You can always do more scenarios in later sessions, which is important regardless to keep the messaging alive.

Co-facilitating is always more fun. Find others who have been trained in partnering with you—within your organization or on campus, for instance, such as Campus Health, Violence Prevention Centers, Greek Life, Student Affairs, Residence Life, etc. Plus, the more folks on campus or in your organization using the training, the more powerful the message!

The number 1 tip is to become familiar with the material. At first you may want or need to reference the notes, but soon you know what the main talking points are! And remember: you are a facilitator not a presenter.

Step UP! provides strategies for effective helping that offer many tips and ideas for effective intervention. If direct intervention is not an option or not preferred, indirect intervention can also be very effective. It really depends on the situation. Step UP! teaches the S.E.E.K model (Safe | Early | Effective | Kind). Safety must always come first!

Because it has been adopted on many campuses and organizations and trained facilitators are located within certain departments, they can host their own trainings. We always like it when there is representation across campus or an organization in our Train the Trainer program (on campus, for instance: Athletics, Greek Life, Residence Life, Title IX, Student Affairs), We have also done training with faculty members and Step UP! is now taught in general education classes and business college classes.

The biggest challenge is time. The good news is Step UP! is a very comprehensive program. You can spend a lot of time on any particular component and you never know what kinds of discussion might be generated. As the facilitator, you need to be aware of the time and guide the training accordingly.