1. Students with Food and Housing Insecurities
1/12/2017
Students with Food and Housing Insecurities
Start off with introduction of roles at university – include title, responsibilities, and how long you have been with CSUSM
- Nick Mortaloni – CARE Manager in Dean of Students Office – Lecturer in School of Social Work
- Working with individuals and families impacted by housing and food insecurity for about 15 years
Today, we are going to talk about the challenges that our CSUSM students are facing with food and housing insecurity, but I also hope to focus on some of the solutions, including resources available both on and off campus
Hope is for everyone to leave more comfortable connecting students to on and off campus resources and support

2. 1/12/2017
Questions
Please raise your hand if you have worked with a CSUSM student who…
Is experiencing financial challenges?
Struggles to afford their basic needs?
Disclosed not being able to afford food?
Disclosed experiencing homelessness?
Ask audience questions by show of hands
“Basic Needs” include food and water, shelter (including utilities), clothing, hygiene supplies, etc.

3. Prevalence CSU Chancellor’s Office Study
1/12/2017
Prevalence
CSU Chancellor’s Office Study
1 in 5 CSU students experiencing food insecurity
1 in 10 CSU students experiencing housing displacement
CSUSM National Collegiate Health Assessment
Measured food insecurity
Significantly higher prevalence
Chancellor’s Office Study: Discussed in June 2016 at CSU Conf. on Food & Housing Security
- Dr. Rashida Crutchfield (CSU Long Beach) – Phase 1 Results listed
- Food insecurity includes not enough money to afford enough food, as well as nutritious options
- Housing displacement includes sleeping in their car, on the streets, or unstable or unsafe housing (couch surfing)
- Phase 2A: Online Student Survey – October 31st through December 2016 (10% CSUSM students completed)
- Phase 2B: Focus Groups on 10 of 23 CSU campuses
- Will be providing campus and system-wide CSU data in 2018
National Collegiate Health Assessment (NCHA): Spring 2016
- Specifically added questions to measure food insecurity
- Up to 1 in 2 CSUSM students struggling to afford food (included healthy food options)
Think about those statistics
- If you interact with 50 students in one week, at least 10 of those students were hungry and not able to fully focus, and 5 of those students have experienced homelessness within the last 12 months
- If CSUSM NCHA data is accurate, then at least 25 of those students have experienced food insecurity

4. Resources Available Student Resilience
1/12/2017
Resources Available
Student Resilience
On-Campus and Off-Campus Resources available
Where have you referred students experiencing food or housing insecurity?
Discuss RESILIENCE of our CSUSM students
- Countless stories of students surviving very difficult circumstances
- Imagine the student who recently came out as gay, got kicked out of their home, and is couch surfing during midterms and finals
- Imagine the student who was evicted for not being able to pay their rent, who is a young mother, and is moving between living in her car and her friends’ homes throughout the semester
- VICTIM  SURVIVOR  THRIVER
There are resources available – especially food
“Housing sucks in San Diego County, but there is definitely food available.”
Solicit ideas from the audience, “Where have YOU referred students experiencing food or housing insecurity?”

5. Cougar Care Network Referral
1/12/2017
Cougar Care Network Referral
Website:
CCN Reporting Form
Cougar Care Network is the first stop shop for all things student – student will likely get assigned to me as the CARE Manager
For Faculty and Staff to make an online referral, they can view the Cougar Care Network website to fill out the Cougar Care Network Reporting Form.
Success Story:
“Tracy” is struggling to attend class and is not performing well on exams and assignments. She is on Academic Probation and is concerned about being academically disqualified if she does not do well this semester. When her part-time Faculty member entered the classroom, she noticed that Tracy was crying while talking to another student. The Faculty member spoke briefly with Tracy, who admitted she was struggling, but was not specific about her concerns. Referred student via CCN.
Tracy came to speak with me and disclosed that she was living in her car with her 11 year old son, did not have food or resources to meet her family’s basic needs, and was on the verge of giving up on school. Connected student to various resources, including Financial Aid Office to maximize her financial aid package, temporary homeless shelter, case management services, rental assistance, etc. Student is now doing much better and is on her way toward graduation. She recently shared that she wants to start a support group for students experiencing homelessness!

6. Other On-Campus Resources
1/12/2017
Other On-Campus Resources
Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
Change of Circumstances?
Associated Students, Inc. (ASI)
Student Emergency Fund (SEF)
Food Pantry (coming soon)
CARE Manager Hygiene Supplies
This is NOT an exhaustive list of resources…
- Others could include the Career Center for job search assistance, and MANY more
Ask for other audience ideas
- Campus garden (vegetables)
- Specific departments with packets of food (or leftovers)

7. Off-Campus Resources 2-1-1 San Diego (Shelters, 2 Enroll Me)
1/12/2017
Off-Campus Resources
2-1-1 San Diego (Shelters, 2 Enroll Me)
San Diego Food Bank (zip code search)
Interfaith Community Services (basic needs)
Community Resource Center (basic needs)
YMCA TAY Academy (ages 17-25, job search)
2-1-1 San Diego: Both call 211 or online website
- North County Resource Guide
- Shelter Bed Availability – updated every morning
- 2 Enroll Me – CalFresh, Medi-Cal and Covered California
- Will CalFresh Eligibility Criteria for Students (very different) – automatically eligible if they are eligible for Federal Work Study
- Contact 211 to obtain a phone appointment with an Enrollment Specialist – also have Enrollment Navigators to provide more follow-up, advocacy, and document pick up if needed
San Diego Food Bank: Recently merged with North County Food Bank
- Recommend against using static food distribution program lists (outdated quickly)
- Zip code search – find a few local Emergency Food Assistance Programs (EFAPs) – resourceful
Interfaith Community Services: Nutrition and Basic Needs Programs
- Emergency food assistance, morning meals and sack lunches, shower & laundry facilities, etc.
Community Resource Center (CRC): Integrative Services
- Case management, emergency shelter, transportation assistance, income taxes, financial education, job search, etc.
YMCA Transition Age Youth (TAY) Academy: Drop-in center
- Open to youth ages 14-25, one-on-one coaching, vocational training and job search
MANY more available

8. We are ALL the Cougar Care Network!
1/12/2017
Supporting Students
We are ALL the Cougar Care Network!
When we rolled out the Cougar Care Network, we often said, “We are ALL the Cougar Care Network!” This statement is never more true than with students impacted by these very real challenges of food insecurity and homelessness.
What do you think that statement means?
While staff can certainly refer to the Cougar Care Network and we will assist the student, you can also provide some of the resources we discussed to meet their immediate needs. Feel free to also consult with me if you have questions about any of these resources.
What other resources do you utilize, either on or off campus?

9. Nick Mortaloni, LCSW CARE Manager, Dean of Students Office
1/12/2017
Nick Mortaloni, LCSW
CARE Manager, Dean of Students Office
Lecturer, School of Social Work
USU 3500
Any questions, comments or concerns?
Thank you for attending and for your time!