1. Creating a Comprehensive Safety Net for Low-Income and Financially Challenged Students
Beth Lesen, Sacramento State
Danielle Muñoz, Sacramento State
Monday, March 13, 2017 Grand Ballroom Salon D - Marriott Rivercenter

2. Our Campus
Sacramento State, affectionately called Sac State, is an outstanding and affordable comprehensive university just a few miles from California's Capitol. The campus sits on 300 acres, with 3,500 trees. There are seven academic colleges and the campus offers 58 undergraduate majors
We have 1,700 faculty and staff
Our student population is 30,000
42-45% are Pell Grant eligible (low-income)
Although referred to as a commuter school, a large percentage of students live within a mile of campus

3. Demographics

4. What Do We Mean When We Say Comprehensive Safety Net?
A portfolio of services and resources that are sufficiently diverse so as to meet whatever need that might manifest for a student that could potentially impact their ability to be successful in school

5. Understanding the Importance of Comprehensive Safety Nets
Ensures that the campus has a way to address unique challenges that suddenly arise for students
Proactively anticipates possible needs and how to address them
Identifies gaps and fills them
Provides an equity toolkit and promotes social justice

6. Scenario
Activity #1!
Joslyn is a 26 year old female student, returning to college. She has a 4 year old son, and they have recently become homeless after she left an abusive relationship. Joslyn has no money, and it has been difficult finding a job. Her son has asthma and she has difficulty affording his care. She is a 1st generation college student, her parents are immigrants and do not speak English. Before this, she was a good student with a 3.9 GPA, and is now on academic probation. She is struggling to find housing in the same area because she would like to keep her son in the same school and near his doctors. She has a car in her name, but her ex partner has the vehicle, and due to his violent behavior, she has not approached him about getting it back. She has come into the Dean of Student’s office after a faculty member reported her sudden change in behavior, decrease in hygiene, and ongoing struggles in class.

7. Needs Identified Domestic violence support Financial crisis resource
Public benefits assistance
Medical care for son
Legal support
Tutoring/Advising
CAMP/EOP support
Counseling support

8. Additional Services That are Helpful
Application assistance to public benefits
CAMP
Case Management and Advocacy
Connecting with nearby community stakeholders (faith community, local shelters, youth shelters, families in the community who can host students short term)
Counseling Center
Dreamer centers
Financial Aid
Guardian Scholars
Host a student program with alumni
Partnerships with local food banks
Student Emergency Fund
Student Emergency Housing

9. Addressing Gaps at Sacramento State
Current Support Services on Campus
Behavioral Intervention Team
Food Pantry
Guardian Scholars
CalFresh application assistance
Host a Hornet
Professional Clothing Drive
Case Management
Community connections and outreach
Student Emergency Fund
Student Emergency Housing
Dreamer Resource Center
Food and Housing Task Force
More is needed….
Hotel Vouchers
EBT Machines on campus

10. Hearing From the Students
Joy is an African American female in her 20s, who identifies as gender queer. Upon coming out to her mother, they encountered stressful family dynamics that led to the loss of financial support. Joy stopped receiving money for rent, books, tuition, food, etc. She had a difficult semester, was experiencing emotional and financial distress, isolation from her primary support, and her grades suffered. She reached out to a faculty after learning that the next semester, she was dropped from classes due to non-payment and had a SAP hold
Case Management- Assessment of need, triage and identify need, utilize resources to address needs
Joy utilized the Student Emergency Fund to obtain housing, food, etc while we worked to secure her financial aid. Worked with Case Manager to gather appropriate documentation to appeal SAP, explored counseling to discuss family dynamics
Outcome: Joy reconciled with her mother, was back on track with Financial Aid, completed her semester with a 2.4, and secured housing. Joy continues to use Case Management as needed, she identifies as low-income and occasionally utilizes the Case Management office to keep up with resources and programs that meet her needs
“I was saying thank you for all your help, I really appreciate it. Earlier in the semester I felt like I was in a deep hole and your efforts helped me get out, I'm not sure where I would be without your guidance.”
NRP

11. Role of Case Management
Supporting students who are in crisis, or experiencing unique challenges and barriers to their education.
Assessment of student needs, identifying appropriate resources to meet these needs and provide follow-up support to ensure success
Providing triage support and making referrals to resources to that address a variety of issues
Coordinate the Behavioral Intervention Team and Red Folder which addresses students in various types of crisis that involve threat of harm to self or the campus community
Spring 2016-Now: 240 students

12. Comprehensive Safety Net
Activity #2!
What resources are currently available on your campus and what pieces do you think might be missing?
Who on campus will you need to work with to address these gaps?

13. Thank You!
Questions? Beth Lesen: Danielle Muñoz:

14. Thank you for joining us today!
Please remember to complete your customized online evaluation following the conference.
See you in Philly in 2018!