South Louisiana Community College (SoLAcc) is excited to announce that the college has been awarded $477,937 in funding from the Louisiana Department of Health. This grant, facilitated by the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS), will help SoLAcc significantly enhance mental health services, increase education and outreach, expand the pipeline of behavioral health professionals, and promote the Medicaid Unwind campaign.
“We are committed to using the full $477,937 to support students’ mental well-being through various initiatives. Investing in mental health services and education is crucial for the success of our students and the community,” said Dr. Damian Glover, Executive Director of Student Services for SoLAcc “We’re honored to receive this grant and look forward to making a lasting impact.”
Education and Outreach
SoLAcc will develop a Wellness Taskforce that focuses on holistic health. The committee will be made up of faculty, staff, and administrators who will serve as champions for the SoLAcc wellness brand. The college has partnered with Beacon Connections and The Family Tree, who will help train the Wellness Taskforce.
Right now, the funds are helping raise awareness about mental health. Some of the funds were allocated to create videos and graphics aimed at promoting SoLAcc’s culture of holistic health and well-being. Wellness Ambassadors will soon be available on our nine campuses to lead mental health programming and provide information about available resources.
Direct Mental Services
In the coming months, the college will enhance direct mental health services for students, faculty, and staff. With help from a consultant, a mental health toolkit will be made available and will include telehealth resources to improve access to mental health services.
Expand the Pipeline of Behavioral Health Professionals
To meet the growing demand for mental health professionals, SoLAcc plans to expand our behavioral health programs. This includes enhancing current programs and working with faculty and program directors to identify and address needs.
Medicaid Unwind Campaign
The Medicaid Unwind campaign is focused on providing students who are currently enrolled or eligible with access to enrollment information for Medicaid. The program focused on providing students with vital information about resources they would receive if they qualified and deadlines for enrollment or re-enrollment.
SoLAcc is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment focused on mental health education and awareness. The initiatives supported by this funding will create a better educational experience and contribute to the overall well-being of our community.