The Circle of Care assists students who are struggling with food insecurity, housing insecurity, and other basic needs. Studies show that 30 percent of college students nationwide require basic need assistance at some point during their college years. Students struggling with these necessities run the risk of diminished academic performance, concentration, and mental health. The Circle of Care meets students where they are and provides assistance to aid in their success.
Supports Available
Food Insecurity
- Maria’s Pace Food Pantry
- Swipe Out Hunger
- Gift Cards
Housing Insecurity
- Collaboration with New Britain Housing Authority
- Internal (on-campus) Housing
Emergency Funding
- Helping Hands Fund (one-time emergency assistance)
- Financial Aid
- Grants/Scholarships
Referrals
To refer a student to the Circle of Care, please submit a Student Success Concern using Slate and indicate Food/Housing Insecurity as the reason.
Referral forms will be sent to the Associate Dean of Students, who will review it and assign a member of the Circle of Care team to the student’s case. The team member will reach out to the student to set up a meeting to discuss in detail the student’s needs and to develop an action plan. The student will meet with the team member periodically for guidance and to ask questions.
A student’s action plan might include referrals to various departments and offices on campus, including Residence Life, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Financial Literacy, Maria’s Place, Counseling & Student Development, Student Health Services, and Career Services. A Circle of Care team member will help to connect the student with any services to which they have been referred. It will be the responsibility of the student to follow up and receive the assistance.
The Circle of Care’s goal is to help the student achieve independence. It may take time, but any student can reach this goal. Once a student becomes independent, the student will be encouraged to serve as a peer mentor to other students who are new to the Circle of Care.
The primary difference between Circle of Care and general referrals of students is team members will make direct contact with campus support services for their students; the student’s action plan is individualized based on their specific needs; and team members will meet with students on a regular basis to learn how the student is doing and adjust the action plan as needed.
Circle of Care will work with any student regardless of age, ancestry, color, gender identity and expression, intellectual disability, learning disability, mental disorder, physical disability, marital status, national origin, race, religious creed, sexual orientation or any other status protected by federal or state laws.