This 9-part video series highlights Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) Health Services and their eight “Pillars of Success” that contribute to a healthy, functioning, and effective student health services support program. The Pillars of Success form a framework that other CCC leaders can use to reflect on and improve their own campus services. The first eight videos introduce the Pillars of Success and provide an overview of different perspectives, with members of the SRJC community using their own words to tell the story of the heart of the effort. The final video provides a real-world example of how these eight pillars provide a strong foundation that structures all aspects of student health.
Quick Links to Each Video
Pillar 1: Administrative Support from the Top, President and Board
Pillar 2: Student Engagement
Pillar 3: Collaborations
Pillar 4: Integration of Multidisciplinary Direct Health Services
Pillar 5: Data Driven Research, Reporting, and Innovation
Pillar 6: Addressing Community Health Issues for the College
Pillar 7: Support CCC Workforce Development Goals
Pillar 8: Care and Attention to Following the Requirements of Education Code
Real World Example: Coming together to support the community during and after the Tubbs Fire 2017
Pillar 1: Administrative Support from the Top, President and Board
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The college President and Vice President play an important role in advancing health services. With their support and buy-in, the senior leadership champions health services and incorporates a health-services perspective in the decision-making process.
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Pillar 2: Student Engagement
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Health services has developed a number of advisory groups and roles in order to increase student engagement. In addition to having a VP of Student Health in the Student Government, there is a Student Health Services Advisory Committee, as well as a student Peer Health program. In all, there are 16 student employees in the health services department, all serving as student health and wellness ambassadors.
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Pillar 3: Collaborations
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Collaboration means that student health services is more than just a building on campus or a single department. The Student Empowerment Academy engages students to provide classroom presentations regarding all the health services offered on campus. Through their participation in the Student Empowerment Academy, students can help plan large events with outside speakers and work with teachers on how to promote health and wellness through extra credit assignments.
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Pillar 4: Integration of Multidisciplinary Direct Health Services
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When students go to Health Services for a stomachache, it is also an opportunity to check if they need help with other health issues, such as providing resources for things like stress and anxiety about testing, asking if they have a place to stay that is safe, and if they are able to afford healthy food.
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Pillar 5: Data Driven Research, Reporting, and Innovation
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The National College Health Assessment – NCHA – survey provides the college with data that can be used to get additional money for the college as well as identify the types of services that are needed. SRJC was also able to help students during and after the 2017 Tubbs Fire. After students completed a survey, SRJC contacted them to let them know where they could get help with things like replacing their laptop, information regarding workshops on grief and stress, and resources that could be shared with their family.
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Pillar 6: Addressing Community Health Issues for the College
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Current research indicates that community college students across the country are experiencing moderate to high levels of food insecurity. In an effort to address this issue, SRJC has a grocery store set up where students can get food for free. Students are also able to get items such as shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, and school supplies. SRJC also has resources available to help students sign up for Cal Fresh benefits, apply for health insurance, and select a doctor.
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Pillar 7: Support CCC Workforce Development Goals
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SRJC students that participate as a Student Health Aide gain exposure to what it’s like working in the health field and are able to imagine the possibilities of working in nursing and psychology through the connections they are able to make with the psychology interns and nurse practitioner trainees. Psychology interns and Nurse Practitioner preceptorships are sponsored at SRJC through various doctoral and graduate programs, with semester or yearlong rotations, where students can learn more about the specialty of college health and a public health, nurse directed model.
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Pillar 8: Care and Attention to Following the Requirements of Education Code
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Health services in the California community colleges setting must be supervised by a Public Health Nurse with a master’s degree in an associated field, which ensures a public health approach to services. SRJC’s Director, Susan Quinn, is a public health nurse, who has been an advocate for students and created a system that ensures healthcare services are integrated throughout the campus.
The Education Code allows colleges to charge students a health fee. Students can pay up to $21 each semester, which is currently the maximum amount that can be charged. Students can participate in the Student Health Services Advisory Committee, in which they are able to ensure those dollars are spent on what’s important to them. Part of their role is to make recommendations directly to the President of the college.
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Real World Example: Coming together to support the community during and after the Tubbs Fire 2017
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In the face of one of the worst threats our state has ever seen, SRJC partnered with other agencies to really support the community during the 2017 Tubbs Fire. The campus offered fire relief to those who lost their houses in the fire, and Student Health Services partnered with the Student Resource Center, Phi Theta Kappa, Student Government, and the Redwood Empire Food Bank to distribute fruit, vegetables and other food. Weekly mindfulness meetups and fire recovery support groups were made available to students in order to help get them through the rest of the semester.
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At Santa Rosa Junior College, these eight pillars provide a strong foundation that structures all aspects of student health. These 8 pillars are designed to help create a healthier—and more successful—student community.
Special thanks to the following Santa Rosa Junior College staff for agreeing to share their stories and be featured in the videos:
- Frank Chong, President Superintendent
- Pedro Avila, Vice President of Student Services
- Susan Quinn, MSN, NP, PHN, (Retired) Director of Student Health Services
- Genevieve Bertone, Director of Student Equity
- Robert Ethington, Dean of Student Engagement and Equity
- KC Greaney, Director of Institutional Research
- Cindy Dickinson, Family Nurse Practitioner
- Jeane Erlenborn, Health Promotion Specialist
- Bert Epstein, Psychologist, Mental Health Program Manager
- Mary Wyman, Family Nurse Practitioner