This paper outlines and evaluates an active and experiential learning project, which gave young people involved with the justice system, a voice as peer educators engaging with social work students outside of the traditional educational institution. The project had two key interconnecting elements. Firstly, by engaging a hidden population of young people in a realistic and meaningful way, it enabled them to share their experiences, and allowed students to understand the complexity of what it means to be socially excluded. Secondly, through this active participation process the young people began to see education as a desirable goal.The project took place over three months and included 10 social work students and 13 young people involved with the justice system. Creative use of multimedia facilitated production of a learning resource to capture the young people's lived experiences with statutory social work and justice systems. Young people were fundamentally challenged in their beliefs about themselves being involved in education to achieve a qualification. Students were challenged in their creativity and versatility responding to the task, when collaborating with 'hard to reach' young people. They were furthermore challenged in terms of their attitudes and assumptions in relation to offending and social justice.

IMPORTANCE Detailed analysis of infection rates paired with behavioral and employee-reported risk factors is vital to understanding how transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be exacerbated or mitigated in the workplace. Institutions of higher education are heterogeneous work units that supported continued in-person employment during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a test site for occupational health evaluation. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between self-reported protective behaviors and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among essential in-person employees during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 13 to September 2, 2020, at an institution of higher education in Fort Collins, Colorado. Employees 18 years or older without symptoms of COVID-19 who identified as essential in-person workers during the first 6 months of the pandemic were included. Participants completed a survey, and blood and nasal swab samples were collected to assess active SARS-CoV-2 infection via quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and past infection by serologic testing. EXPOSURE Self-reported practice of protective behaviors against COVID-19 according to public health guidelines provided to employees. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prevalence of current SARS-CoV-2 infection detected by qRT-PCR or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection detected by an IgG SARS-CoV-2 testing platform. The frequency of protective behavior practices and essential workers' concerns regarding contracting COVID-19 and exposing others were measured based on survey responses. RESULTS Among 508 participants (305 [60.0%] women, 451 [88.8%] non-Hispanic White individuals; mean [SD] age, 41.1 [12.5] years), there were no qRT-PCR positive test results, and only 2 participants (0.4%) had seroreactive IgG antibodies. Handwashing and mask wearing were reported frequently both at work (480 [94.7%] and 496 [97.8%] participants, respectively) and outside work (465 [91.5%] and 481 [94.7%] participants, respectively). Social distancing was reported less frequently at work (403 [79.5%]) than outside work (465 [91.5%]) (P < .001). Participants were more highly motivated to avoid exposures because of concern about spreading the infection to others (419 [83.0%]) than for personal protection (319 [63.2%]) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEIn this cross-sectional study of essential workers at an institution of higher education, when employees reported compliance with public health practices both at and (continued)

Purpose: This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of implementing research-tested physical activity (PA) behavior change counseling (BCC) sessions in an existing cancer-exercise program, and the preliminary effects on cancer survivor’s self-efficacy and PA. Methods: Participants were cancer survivors undergoing or within six-months of completing cancer treatment(s), and exercise program staff. Cancer survivors were randomized to receive the exercise program plus PABCC, or the standard exercise program. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed by recruitment, adherence, satisfaction, and a focus group with program staff. Qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis. Self-report questionnaires measured PA and exercise self-efficacy. Results: Recruitment was 33 out of 93 (36.7%), and n = 13 (39%) provided post-program data. Cancer survivors enjoyed PABCC sessions, but reported face-to-face delivery was an added time burden. Program staff expressed desire to implement PABCC, but perceived staff capacity and time as barriers to sustainability. Exercise self-efficacy increased by 21.5% in the PABCC group vs. 4.2% in the control. PA increased by 81.3% in the PABCC group vs. 16.6% in the control group. Conclusions: Implementing PABCC in an existing cancer-exercise program was acceptable and promising for increasing moderate to vigorous PA, but additional research is needed to enhance the feasibility and sustainability of translating efficacious behavioral interventions into existing cancer-exercise programs.

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Importance: Detailed analysis of infection rates paired with behavioral and employee reported risk factors are vital to understanding how COVID-19 transmission may be inflamed or mitigated in the workplace. Institutes of Higher Education are heterogeneous work units that supported continued in person employment during COVID-19, providing an excellent test site for occupational health evaluation. Objective: To evaluate self-reported behaviors and SARS-CoV-2 among essential in-person employees during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Cross-sectional, conducted from July 13- September 2, 2020. Setting: Institute of Higher Education in Fort Collins, Colorado. Participants: Employees identified to be an essential in-person employee during the first six months of the pandemic (1,522 invited, 1,507 qualified, 603 (40%) completed the survey). Of those completing the survey, 84.2% (508) elected to participate in blood and nasal swab sample collection to assess active SARS-CoV-2 infection via qRT-PCR, and past infection by serology (overall completion rate of 33.7%). Eligibility included > 18 years old, able to read and understand English, not currently experiencing cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever >100.4F (38C), chills/shaking with chills, muscle pain, new or worsening headaches, sore throat or new loss of sense of taste/smell. Exposure: Self-reported COVID-19 protective behaviors Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s): Current SARS-CoV-2 infection detected by qRT-PCR or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection detected by IgG SARS-CoV-2 testing platform. Results: There were no qRT-PCR positive tests, and only 2 (0.39%) contained seroreactive IgG antibodies. Participants were 60% female, 90% non-Hispanic white, mean age 41 years (18-70 years). Handwashing and mask wearing were reported frequently both at work (98% and 94% respectively) and outside work (91% and 95% respectively) while social distancing was reported less frequently at work (79%) then outside of work (92%) [p < .001]. Participants were more highly motivated to avoid exposures out of concern for spreading to others (83%) than for personal implications (63%) [ p < .001]. Conclusions and Relevance: This is one of the first reports to document that complex work environments can be operated safely during the COVID-19 pandemic when employees report compliance with public health practices both at and outside work.