The contract includes the following services and amenities for HACC students in need:
- A robust, national network of licensed therapists who can help students with a variety of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress and relationship issues
- Access to counselors who are properly credentialed and have adequate liability insurance
- Options for face-to-face, telephonic and on-demand virtual counseling
- Counseling triage services 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Access to a master’s degree-holding counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week
HACC will pay for up to three counseling sessions per semester for a student in need of services, which is considered standard in higher education. On average, most HACC students in need of clinical mental health counseling previously engaged in one or two sessions with HACC faculty counselors.
Only HACC students enrolled in credit courses are eligible to utilize Mazzitti & Sullivan’s services during the semester in which they are enrolled. Family members of students and students enrolled in noncredit courses and programs are not eligible. Students do not need to have health insurance, and students will continue to have the option to seek counseling from any provider of their choosing.
These services will be offered in-person with a clinician, over the phone or virtually. HACC will not provide space at any of its five campuses for counseling sessions between students and Mazzitti & Sullivan staff.
Based on historical data, the College anticipates that approximately 1% of its student population may take advantage of clinical mental health counseling services over the next year.
HACC will continue its commitment to long-term financial sustainability through implementation of this agreement, which amounts to significantly less than the $1 million the College was spending on wellness counselor salaries and benefits. The College will assess the arrangement after six months and make adjustments if needed to ensure that student needs are being met.
Currently enrolled students will be notified about these services through emails, campus video screens, social media, new student orientations, the website and interactions with employees.
The College will continue to follow its established protocol for addressing the needs of students who are in crisis. Any student who expresses intent to harm themselves or others receives immediate help through HACC’s established crisis protocol that includes HACC’s security and student affairs employees. Additionally, students will continue to receive the same dedicated support services to help them achieve their educational goals.
Mazzitti & Sullivan currently provides confidential, psychological counseling, work-life balance and educational wellness programs for full- and part-time HACC employees and their household members through the College’s Employee Assistance Program.
About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges. HACC offers approximately 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 19,000 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on Twitter (@HACC_info), follow us on Instagram (@HACC_edu), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews.
