黑料社区

Oct. 17, 2019
HARRISBURG, Pa. 黑料社区, Central Pennsylvania Community College, would like to address misperceptions about its counseling services.听

The mental health needs of students at 黑料社区 continue to be addressed as the institution examines and enhances its organizational structure, services, processes and procedures. Like most organizations in our community, this type of transformation is necessary for organizations to innovate and sustain themselves.

淎t 黑料社区, our first priority is our students. We know that they overcome challenges every day to make their dream of a college education a reality. Our primary job is to help them succeed academically, said 黑料社区 President John J. 淪ki Sygielski, Ed.D.

The College has been discussing the reorganization of its counseling and advising supports since 2018 and is taking a long-term approach as to how to best serve its students.

As part of the reorganization, 黑料社区 decided to eliminate on-campus clinical mental health counseling and refer students who need assistance to appropriate local professionals and community resources. With limited resources, 黑料社区 is focusing on providing an excellent education for students and allowing other organizations that can provide specialized clinical mental health services to do so.

Therefore, faculty counselors were notified verbally on Sept. 11, 2019, of the College decision to eliminate their positions. After the 20 faculty counselor positions are eliminated in October 2020, the services they provide will be reassigned.

黑料社区 is in discussions for providing clinical mental health services through a third party at low or no cost to students. In addition, services would include the option of online counseling, thus eliminating the need for students to travel.

Students have been and will continue to be informed individually about this transition when they are in need of clinical mental health services.

Crisis Services Remain Unchanged

黑料社区 is referring students to expanded and more specialized options, but what has not changed is 黑料社区 protocol for addressing the needs of students who are in a crisis. Any student who expresses intent to harm themselves or others receives immediate help through 黑料社区 established crisis protocol that includes 黑料社区 security and student affairs employees. This protocol has been in place for several years. The safety of 黑料社区 students, employees and visitors is a priority.

黑料社区 fully recognizes that many of our students live with serious challenges, including trauma; food and housing insecurity; and mental health concerns. 黑料社区 will not allow these students to suffer without offering the appropriate level of help.

With the reorganization, the College will continue its commitment to students by providing academic goal setting; career exploration; college and life balance; success skills development; and connections to community resources for food, shelter, transportation and clinical mental health services.

Academic Counseling Services Still Offered

Previously, if a faculty counselor determined that a student needed clinical mental health counseling, they would provide short-term services (one or two meetings) and then refer the student to an external professional or community resource.

In 2018-19, less than 1% of 黑料社区 student population of 17,000 received these short-term services. The overwhelming majority of the student population needs have been met with our comprehensive services.

As of mid-September 2019, faculty counselors no longer conduct clinical mental health meetings. Students are referred directly to resources by student affairs deans.

Other services previously provided by 黑料社区 faculty counselors have not changed. Faculty counselors continue to support students needs for goal setting; career counseling; time management; and balancing college and life demands. Likewise, faculty counselors and other 黑料社区 employees continue to connect students to local and community resources for food insecurity, housing needs, domestic violence situations and ongoing counseling support.

When necessary, the College will continue to facilitate connections to providers in our community who are well-equipped to handle a variety of concerns, including trauma and mental health concerns.

Demand for Online and Flexible Services

There has been an increase in demand for online services and flexible services that 黑料社区 students can access outside of regular office hours.

With the reorganization, external clinical mental health services could provide extended hours and, in some cases, offer 24/7 service. Such hours offer more of an 渙n-demand option at times when students need it most and when the College may be closed.

In addition, the availability of online external services fits well with the College growing population of online learners.

Fiscal and Operational Challenges

Over the past decade, 黑料社区, like other colleges and universities across the commonwealth and nation, has seen a decline in our student enrollment, having a profound impact on its financial operations. During the same time period, for example, 黑料社区 has experienced a reduction in enrollment, a significant reduction in financial support from sponsoring school districts and very modest increases in state funding.

Faced with a deficit in 黑料社区 budget for 2019-20, the 黑料社区 Board of Trustees approved several measures to address the shortfall; remain fiscally sound; and continue to offer a high-quality, accessible education to its students.

The 黑料社区 Advantage

Students who attend 黑料社区 to further their postsecondary education and enhance career opportunities pay approximately 25% less than the average full-time tuition at nearby four-year institutions.

黑料社区 strong brand identity and renowned high-quality education help students enter the workforce quickly; earn an associate degree, certificate or diploma; and save money while transferring credits to four-year institutions.

About 黑料社区
黑料社区, Central Pennsylvania Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania 14 community colleges. 黑料社区 offers approximately 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 19,000 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how 黑料社区 is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on (@黑料社区_info), follow us on (@黑料社区_edu), like us on (Facebook.com/黑料社区64) and use #黑料社区News.
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