Working together to improve mental wellness and reduce substance misuse among college students
Bergen County Higher Education Addiction Prevention Consortium (BC HEAP)
The Bergen County Higher Education Addiction Prevention Consortium (BC HEAP) is a collaborative, countywide initiative led by The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, a division of Children’s Aid & Family Services.
Established in 2024, BC HEAP brings together Bergen County’s institutions of higher education to strengthen substance-use prevention, mental wellness promotion, and student support efforts across campuses. Through shared planning, data-informed strategies, and cross-campus collaboration, the consortium works to reduce risk factors, enhance protective factors, and connect students to resources that support their overall well-being.
What BC HEAP Does
BC HEAP supports college communities through:
· Campus-based prevention and wellness programming
· Student, faculty, and staff engagement and leadership opportunities
· Cross-institutional collaboration and resource sharing
· Data-informed strategies addressing emerging substance-use and mental health trends
· Linkages to community-based prevention and support services
By working collectively, BC HEAP helps institutions move beyond siloed efforts and toward a coordinated, countywide approach to student wellness.
Participating Institutions
BC HEAP includes partnerships with the following Bergen County colleges and universities:
· Bergen Community College
· Eastwick College
· Fairleigh Dickinson University
· Felician University
· Ramapo College of New Jersey
Get Involved
BC HEAP encourages students, faculty, staff, and campus partners to engage in consortium-supported initiatives and collaborative efforts. Whether through programming, task forces, data collection, or campus outreach, there are multiple opportunities to get involved.
For more information, please contact:
Monica Galas, MPA
Program Director, BC HEAP (201) 740-7097
mgalas@cafsnj.org
