Springfield College Earns $240,000 To Assist With Mental Health Needs Through Partnership With City of Springfield
Springfield College Vice President for Student Affairs Slandie Dieujuste representing Springfield College at City Hall.
In partnership with the city of Springfield, Springfield College was awarded $240,000 to help assist in combating the growing mental-health needs among college students and the local community. Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Chief Development Officer (CDO) Tim Sheehan announced the partnership as part of the Sarno Administration's Higher Education ARPA Fund at City Hall on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.
"Empowering our students through comprehensive counseling programs is not merely an investment in their well-being; it is a commitment to the resilience of our community. Our phased program fosters Springfield College's mission of providing leadership in service to others, and creates the opportunity for us to shape the future of individuals and fortify the foundation upon which our society stands by addressing the mental health crisis head-on," said Springfield College President Mary-Beth A. Cooper, PhD, DM.
Mayor Sarno had previously announced the creation of the $750,000 Higher Education ARPA Fund as part of his 13th round of ARPA awards back in July 2023, as Springfield College was joined by American International College and Western New England University as recipients of the funding. The $240,000 allocation that Springfield College received will create additional opportunities to further support youth and families in the City of Springfield, and provide collaboration between Springfield College students and the Springfield Public School to enhance their learning and simultaneously support the community.
With the funding, Springfield College intends on hiring case managers to provide support and advocacy for both college students and children and families in the Springfield Public Schools who have difficulty navigating the often complex web of available resources, hiring of a psychiatric nurse practitioner to support critical needs within area colleges and the community, strengthen relationships between Springfield College School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling student interns and the Springfield Public School to provide additional community-based mental health services and support.
