Craig Gilkey, LMHC and Kate Wolfe-Lyga, LMHC, ACS Development and Assessment of a Residence Life Mental Health Counselor Position on a College Campus Craig Gilkey, LMHC and Kate Wolfe-Lyga, LMHC, ACS

SUNY Oswego Campus Map Appr. 400 acres on main campus

Objectives Attendees will explore methods of engaging and implementing an embedded counselor program on their campus. Attendees will consider program evaluation methods and client outcome measures, based off of shared experiences of this campus’ program. Attendees will identify challenges, such as ethical issues, in navigating a shared program and position with another department. Ask questions on the fly.

Creation/Development/Background Why? Similar to national trends (CCMH 2018), we experienced significant increase in utilization. Kate - Learned about this at AUCCCD, Res Life AVP shared what he learned about at ACUHO.

Key Stakeholders VP of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Residence Life and Housing Counseling Services Students Kate - Considerations for location - res life more popular recently, but academic departments, athletics and other students services or schools are other options.

Funding Model . Kate – they have the money…! Still issue with fringe

Job Description Clinical/ Consultation Training Outreach Minimal individual service Group services Let’s Talk Training Professional Staff Student Staff Outreach RLH events Counseling outreach (wellness fair) Administrative Staff Meetings, case consult, supervision, etc... Craig and Kate – collaborative negotiation for development because of Craig’s experience with both departments. Appreciation of constraints and opportunities.

Position Components Craig

Evaluation & Assessment Summary Individual Clinical Effectiveness Pre/Post session, Burns’ Brief Mood Survey Burns’ Evaluation of Therapy Session Residence Life Pro. Staff Perceived Effectiveness Google Form Questionnaire During Pilot Focus Group Utilization Tracking Let’s Talk Crisis/Walk-In at Counseling Center Kate and Craig – bring BMS handouts. Kate – division assessment process

Individual Clinical Effectiveness Pre/Post session, Burns’ Brief Mood Survey Burns’ Evaluation of Therapy Session Craig

Residence Life Professional Staff Perceptions Questionnaire – google form Focus Group Themes Significant Increase of Accessibility Supportive of Residence Life Staff and Students in a Unique Way Offered Helpful Ongoing Programs and Trainings Atmosphere of Mental Health Support in Residence Halls Effective Consulting for Student and Professional Staff Much Needed Liaison Bigger Presence of Counseling Referral Sources Could Improve by Having More Counselors Kate - December 2017, after one semester of 20 hour/ week position – questionnaire to RHDs, CDS and AHDs. Focus group run by a counselor and Assoc. Director of career services – RHDs and AHDs, October 2018.

Training Outreach Evaluation What did you like best? What did you like least? What would you like more of? Craig

Correlational Data in the CSC 19% decrease in crisis over last year Let’s Talk appointment increase of 270% Let’s Talk total hours increase of 76% Let’s Talk utilization increase of 54% Kate

Challenges Ethics Logistics Reporting and Supervision Multiple roles AHDs Student Staff utilization Informed consent Consultation vs. Intervention Let’s Talk Logistics Access to physical space Work schedule & Work life balance Communication (e.g., Let’s Talk services) Safety Reporting and Supervision Kate and Craig

Reporting & Supervision Responsibilities Res Life Time and Attendance Staff Meeting Admin Policies Counseling Clinical supervision Case Consultation Staff Meeting Policies and Procedures Evaluation Craig

Embedded Counselor Implementation Tips Ask each Hall Director to email the residents with embedded counselor information Attend res. life student staff (e.g., RAs) meetings early in fall semester Build relationships Support new student staff and professional staff onboarding Maintain visibility (wear ID lanyard) Reach out to stakeholders to inform and collaborate Use assessments (e.g., Brief Mood Survey, Program Evaluations) Have consult hours for staff later in the day/evening Act as a liaison between counseling center and residence life during staff meetings Provide index cards of all services at front desk of residence halls Craig

Future Plans CSQ-8 GPAs Workshop Assessments Residence Student Staff Perceptions Tracking RSS and RHD Utilization MOU Unique Challenges - (access, new AVP) Kate and Craig. Doc student review what was out there for satisfaction – this has already been a validated instrument. GPA review in the works with IRB. Tracking RSS – any services. MOU – need to do!!!!! Access – halls all being locked down.

References Boone, M.S., Edwards, G.R., Haltom, M., Hill, J.S., Liang, Y.S., Mier, S.R., Yau, T.Y. (2011). Let’s talk: Getting out of the counseling center to serve hard-to-reach students. Jounral of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 39(4), 194-205. Center for Collegiate Mental Health, (2018, January), 2017 Annual Report, (Publication No. STA 18-166.) Orchowski, L. M., Castelino, P., Ng, H. M., Cosio, D., & Heaton, J. A. (2011). The design and implementation of a counselor-in-residence program. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 25(3), 241–258.