JWCC trustees hear report on college’s support of students’ mental health

QUINCY — The John Wood Community College Board of Trustees heard a report on the collaborative efforts to further support students’ mental health during its regular meeting Wednesday.

Trustees accepted a $50,000 grant appropriation from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) as part of the State’s Mental Health Action on Campus Act. Funds will be used for a range of mental health supports, including 24/7 telehealth access to counseling, address student needs, training, and other initiatives.

The funding aligns with JWCC’s newly created Office of Campus Care and other projects to enhance services to support students with obstacles outside of the classroom which hinder success and degree completion.

“Barriers to degree completion are often outside of the classroom or even the college,” JWCC President Bryan Renfro said. “The creation of the Office of Campus Care coordinates the many college and community resources into a centralized location with a team designated to help meet students’ needs more efficiently.”

Renfro shared that data from a recent student financial wellness survey from the national Trellis organization showed 28 percent of students had experienced symptoms of depression, and 45 percent reported generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, 35 percent of JWCC students have experienced housing and food insecurity. 

“Students who do not have access to sufficient meals, transportation, or who are working multiple jobs and taking care of family members need greater support,” Renfro said.  “Campus Care is here to connect them to the many resources this community offers in addition to what we can do for them as a college. Our goal is to help students find their path to a career or a better life.  We can’t ignore the obstacles that can get in the way.  We must use all resources available to help students succeed.  When they succeed, our communities succeed.”

Teresa Bertelli, JWCC’s counselor, directs the Office of Campus Care, which consists of Campus Care Coach Courtney Loos who tailors support for students in need and operates the Blazer Fuel Station food and supply pantry, Kate Wells, welcome desk assistant and Ryan Jansen, coordinator of disability services.

JWCC hosted its first Campus Care resource fair, during which nearly 120 students had the opportunity to connect with 24 community organizations and 16 JWCC departments/groups participated. Services ranging from medical, food, financial planning, advocacy, legal, childcare, and housing were represented at the fair.

The same organizations will regularly visit JWCC’s Student Success Center to facilitate student referrals for services.  For example, Clarity Healthcare is present on campus at JWCC’s Student Success Center three days a week to facilitate student referrals and enrollment in Medicaid and SNAP benefits, and also provide support with substance use, housing, rent/utilities and more. In the first four weeks of school, Clarity has helped 20 students connect with various services.

JWCC is also implementing the Caring Campus initiative, which is a national community college success model funded by a grant from the Institute for Evidence Based Change.  Caring Campus uses seven specific behaviors that when exhibited by staff and faculty, have proven to increase student retention, persistence, and completion.

“Caring Campus is common sense, but when behaviors such as checking in on students in the first two weeks and warmly referring students from office to office are consistently and intentionally implemented across the college, it makes a huge impact,” Renfro said.  “We are at the beginning of this journey, but we are already recognizing the positive influence it is having for our students and our culture.”

In other business, the Board:

• Approved submission of a $6,000 grant application to Swipe Out Hunger to support the Blazer Fuel Station food and supply pantry.
• Approved submission of a grant ranging from $200,000 to $250,000 to the ICCB for a Bridge and Transition grant to further support John Wood Community College at Bella Ease. If received, funds would support wraparound services which could include academic advising, career pathway navigation, tutoring and referrals for basic needs.
• Accepted $97,991 in grant funds from the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) to replace Learning and Student Activity Center lights with LED fixtures.
• Approved transfer of $672,848.95 from Operating funds to the Operations and Maintenance Restricted Fund for fiscal year 2024.  Funds support deferred maintenance and capital projects.
• Approved a transfer of $850,000 from Operating funds to the Auxiliary Fund for fiscal year 2024.  Funds will help raise the balance of the College’s self-insurance to its target level, and allow for sufficient levels for student transportation, student life, and athletics funds for fiscal year 2025.
• Awarded United Systems, Inc. a $139,000 contract to supply and install security and access door equipment.