Sunday, November 24, 2024
11/24/2024
Project Summary: Project Safety Net is a coordinated, integrated network of supports to meet the growing mental health needs of Lewis University (LU) students. The program will provide screenings, assessments, referrals for services, training, education, and an awareness campaign. Project Safety Net will identify students who are at risk for suicidal behavior, increase protective factors that promote mental health, and reduce risk factors for suicide. Project Name: Lewis University's Project Safety Net Population to be served: The target population to be served is Lewis University (LU) students who are athletes, LGBTQ+, freshmen, first-year transfers, online, and out-of-state; as well as those who have sought resources after hours, or have been referred to counseling by faculty, staff, a parent, or other referral source. The combined graduate and undergraduate student body is diverse, with 35.3% comprised of people of color (excluding international students). Based on Fall 2021 data, Hispanic students account for 23.3% of undergraduate enrollment and 19.4% of total enrollment. Over one third (34.5%) of our current undergraduate students are first-generation college students; and nearly half (47.5%) receive need-based financial aid. LU's Campus Counseling data reveal that out of 263 students who received services in the 2020-21 academic year: 1) more than one third identify as LGBTQ+ (36.4%); and 2) more than one third are first-generation college students (36.8%). Strategies and interventions: Project Safety Net deploys evidence-based and evidence-informed tools and approaches. We also have engaged a number of strategic partners who have committed to their respective roles in serving LU students. We will also hire a full-time Project Coordinator to ensure successful roll-out and oversight of the project. Key strategies of Project Safety Net include campus-wide training of faculty and staff, screening events for mental health and substance use, education, expanding LU’s referral network for more diverse direct service options for students, and a comprehensive suicide prevention campaign. Project goals: The project goals for Project Safety Net are: Goal 1: Create an external network infrastructure of appropriately credentialed behavioral healthcare specialists to link with LU to offer direct care to at-risk LU student populations and to provide input and program support. Goal 2: Design internal systems rooted in relationship-building to identify vulnerable students and to facilitate expedited referral and response processes before students are in crisis. Goal 3: Facilitate curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular connections that promote mental health, suicide prevention, substance use disorder treatment and recovery services. Goal 4: Develop a campus culture of awareness and prevention of suicide by promoting student resiliency, advocacy, and allyship amongst all campus constituencies. Goal 5: Coordinate communication, training, and assessment to ensure a safe, supported, and informed campus environment on issues of interpersonal violence and public health. Number of people served annually and for lifetime of project: Students (6,200), new student parents (1,500), faculty and staff (500): annual total projection (8,200); and for lifetime of grant: (24,600).
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
