June 20, 2024
The Honorable Aaron Michlewitz
Chair, House Committee on Ways and Means
State House, Room 243
Boston, MA 02133
The Honorable Michael Rodrigues
Chair, Senate Committee on Ways and Means
State House, Room 212
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Chair Michlewitz and Chair Rodrigues:
As directed by line item 7066-1123 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023, I am pleased to submit to
you a report of the methodology used to distribute funds as appropriated by the Legislature
through the Student Behavioral and Mental Health Services at state universities and community
and municipally owned colleges. The Department of Higher Education is committed to
increasing the retention and completion of underrepresented student populations, particularly
students of color, those from low-income households, and/or first-generation students. These
FY24 grant awards focus on student behavioral and mental health in the areas of crisis services,
therapy, the assessment of learning disorders, responses to sexual assault, substance use disorder
services and assistance to students struggling with stress, anxiety or other mental health, which
students from our target populations are particularly vulnerable to experiencing.
The Department of Higher Education used a two-pronged approach to funding campuses. The
DHE issued a request for proposals that all public state universities and community colleges
were eligible to apply for in January 2024. The agency used a funding formula to determine the
maximum budget each institution could request; colleges and universities with more part-time
and full-time students were eligible to receive more funding. All fifteen community colleges
and eight of nine state universities applied for funding. DHE staff reviewed the proposals to
ensure funds will be used appropriately and in alignment with the intended purpose of this line
item. Additionally, based on legislative language, DHE staff worked directly with Quincy
College as the Commonwealth’s only municipally owned college.
I believe that the grants made through this program will advance the work of the
Commonwealth’s public colleges and universities to promote success and completion for our
state’s neediest students. If you have any questions about the Higher Education Innovation
Fund, please feel free to contact Alex Demou, Director of Constituent and Legislative Affairs for
the Department of Higher Education, at ademou@dhe.mass.edu.
Sincerely,
Noe Ortega, PhD
Commissioner
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FUNDED PROJECTS
The 24 awards represent the following higher education institution types and anticipated number
of students to receive access to crisis services, therapy, the assessment of learning disorders,
responses to sexual assault, substance use disorder services and assistance to students struggling
with stress, anxiety, or other mental health needs.
• 15 Community Colleges were awarded a total of $2.39 M to serve 34,254 students
• 8 of the 9 state universities were awarded a total of $2.1 M to serve 26,563 students
• 1 municipally owned college was awarded $28,000 to serve 1,000 students
All of the projects specifically focus on equitable outcomes and will intentionally support Black,
Latinx, ALANA, LGBTQ+, low income, first generation, and other traditionally marginalized
groups.
The table below provides an overview of the projects, including number of students served and
the types of services the award is supporting:
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 Types of Services Supported
Assistance
to students
struggling
with stress,
anxiety, or
Substance other
Number Assessment Responses Use mental Safe and
Higher Education Students Crisis of Learning to Sexual Disorder health Welcoming
Institution Amount Awarded Served Services Therapy Disorders Assault Services needs. Spaces
Berkshire Community
College $120,494.00 300 X X X X X
Bristol Community
College $190,105.57 6,000 X X
Bunker Hill
Community College $238,347.41 1,890 X X X
Cape Cod Community
College $138,692.54 2,500 X X X X X
Greenfield Community
College $121,344.92 1,200 X X
Holyoke Community
College $152,559.58 100 X X X X
MassBay Community
College $168,205.58 265 X X X X
Massasoit Community
College $181,840.59 5,029 X X X X
Middlesex Community
College $220,900.30 5,000 X X X
Mt. Wachusett
Community College $143,388.55 3,150 X
North Shore
Community College $179,067.18 500 X X X X X
Northern Essex
Community College $107,140.00 150 X X
Quinsigamond
Community College $198,967.22 7,500 X X X X
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Roxbury Community
College $123,200.00 370 X X X X X X
Springfield Technical
Community College $101,711.00 300 X X X X
Community College
Total $2,385,964.44 34,254 8 8 2 7 4 14 11
Bridgewater State
University $383,931.75 9,604 X X X X X X
Fitchburg State
University $352,502.57 250 X X X X X
Framingham State
University $285,977.48 500 X X X X X X X
Massachusetts
College of Art and
Design $208,115.42 1,800 X X X X
Massachusetts
College of Liberal Arts $190,500.00 209 X X
Salem State
University $312,916.77 7,000 X X X X X
Westfield State
University $269,308.79 4,200 X X X X X X
Worcester State
University $95,260.00 3,000 X X X X
State University
Total $2,098,512.78 26,563 6 7 4 8 4 8 2
Quincy College $28,000.00 1,000 X X X X
Municipally Owned
Total $28,000.00 1,000 1 0 0 0 1 1 1
Grand Total $4,512,476.74 61,817 15 15 6 15 9 23 14
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Community Colleges
Berkshire Community College (BCC)
Target population: Berkshire Community College students with behavioral and mental health
needs.
Total number of students served upon implementation: 300-400
Target number of faculty and students trained: 200
Project summary:
Improving Environments: With project funding, BCC will improve its Student Support Center to
create a more welcoming environment. In addressing equity, BCC wants their students to know
that they are valued, especially those who are struggling with mental health, disabilities or other
significant stressors. Updated spaces including new ADA accessible furniture will support the
creation of an environment that students can better access and allow for comfort and privacy
while meeting with team members during their appointments. BCC will also improve the
environment in the Students for Recovery Lounge with comfortable furniture and supplies. They
also plan to purchase materials such as self-care journals, books, sensory items etc. to support
students as they navigate their mental health and wellness.
Support Staff: As more students reach out for behavioral and mental health services, additional
counseling support is needed to serve their students in a timely manner. BCC data has indicated
that 77% of their students feel that the college makes mental health a priority. Given the
importance of psychoeducational programming and wellness activities, funding will provide the
opportunity to continue initiatives in promoting wellness, sexual assault and domestic violence
awareness events and suicide prevention trainings. BCC will also use this funding to support
their frontline personnel to engage in triage, helping with warm referrals and administrative tasks
for the grant as well as the Student Support Center.
Trainings & Certifications: Funding will enable BCC’s Students for Recovery Program
Coordinator to engage in more professional development and training, most significantly,
Association of Recovery in Higher Education’s 's Annual Conference. BCC has continued to
engage students and will purchase materials that support their own learning and recovery. BCC
will also offer another Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training session for
faculty and staff. In addition to the cost of the training, stipends will be provided to participants.
Last year, BCC had 234 students, faculty and staff complete the programming.
Brief Summary of Project Outcomes: Improving the surroundings in the Student Support Center
and the Students for Recovery Program spaces will help to create a more welcoming
environment for students who are accessing behavioral and mental health services on campus.
Training opportunities will create avenues for additional students, faculty and staff to gain the
knowledge and awareness of suicide prevention techniques and will help to create a campus
culture that is continually focused on the health and well-being of the college community.
Bristol Community College (BCC)
Target population: All students
Total number of students served upon implementation: 6,000
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Target number of faculty and students trained: N/A
Project summary:
Bristol Community College offers free and confidential mental health counseling services to
students at all campus locations who are experiencing challenges in their lives that may impact
their academic performance, daily functioning, relationships and personal growth. Licensed
mental health counselors are available to provide short-term therapy for students. Mental health
counseling staff engage in over 1,000 appointments annually with the most common issues for
students being stress and relationship issues. Given the high number of student interactions with
mental health counseling, this grant will be used to create welcoming and supportive
environments that offer a sense of safety and security, which will essentially bolster the
therapeutic relationship.
Brief Summary of Project Outcomes: As a result of this project, current mental health counseling
spaces will be refurbished and refitted with appropriate furniture to create a more welcoming and
supportive space for students engaging with counselors.
Connection to the Equity Agenda: Spaces will be inclusive and culturally responsive to serve as a
welcoming and supportive environment for students holding historically marginalized identities.
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC)
Target population: All BHCC students in need of behavioral and mental health services
Total number of students served upon implementation: 1,890
Target number of faculty and students trained: 35
Project summary:
During recent years, BHCC created a Student Counseling, Prevention, and Wellness Center to
serve students in need of emotional support and guidance during difficult times. It offers mental
health assessment, crisis intervention, psychoeducation, wellness and prevention education and
community resource referrals. The Center provides counselling sessions in-person and virtually,
including limited walk-in appointments. Their funding request will support the equity agenda by
providing formal and informal wellness and mental health resources and activities across
campus. These will contribute to students’ academic achievement that will, in turn, lead to
economic and social mobility. The Counseling, Prevention, and Wellness Center will have an
administrative assistant to welcome students and connect them to the mental health services that
they need:
• Students and staff will have 24/7 access to mental health resources;
• The consultant will help the mental health advisory council develop goals that
will support student mental health;
• Students, faculty, and staff will learn from and engage with dynamic speakers at
HOPE events focused on mental health issues for students of color;
• Students will have access to activities supporting mental health/wellness (yoga,
gardening, art) during the period leading up to final exams;
• The end-of-year celebration will support students’ accomplishments and provide
a final “check-in” for them by faculty and staff before the academic year ends;
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 • The Student Counseling, Prevention, and Wellness Center will expand its library of
mental health books and other resources for students. Fidget toys will help to
calm students during counseling sessions;
Connection to the Equity Agenda: The equity agenda is focused on enhancing economic and
social mobility for all citizens, and particularly those from groups that have been historically
underserved and underrepresented throughout all levels of education. Bunker Hill Community
College is deeply committed to the equity agenda, which is seen in the resources it has created to
help students face basic needs challenges during the pursuit of a higher education credential,
including mental health support.
Cape Cod Community College (CCCC)
Target population: All CCCC students in need of behavioral and mental health services
Total number of students served upon implementation: 2,500
Target number of faculty and students trained: 150
Project summary:
Funding will cover partial salary and fringe for 2 Clinicians and the Assistant Director of
Wellness to assist students struggling with stress, anxiety and other mental health needs.
Additionally, funding will cover training costs and materials for mental health related training
such as de-escalation, crisis training, trauma training, sexual misconduct and wellness
workshops. Travel funds for staff to attend the Suicide Prevention conference is requested.
Funding for Maxient software and 24/7 Peer to Peer campus subscription is requested. The costs
of exercise equipment to refurbish the campus gym, workstations for wellness staff,
privacy/secure doors for the wellness area, and first aid kits will also be supported with these
award funds.
Brief Summary of Project Outcomes: Expansion of Mental and Behavioral Health training and
staff will allow CCCC to better serve its population of 2,500 students. They anticipate training
150 faculty, staff and students will receive training.
Greenfield Community College (GCC)
Target population: Students facing anxiety, neurodivergence, and other mental health challenges
Total number student served upon implementation: 1,200
Target number of faculty and students trained: 46
Project summary:
This grant will enable Greenfield Community College to focus on providing calming, welcoming
environmental space for students in need of privacy, decompression, and quiet space. GCC will
purchase noise-dampening 1- and 2-person privacy pods for Wellness Center, Library, and other
locations on campus disrupted by a major campus construction project beginning May 2024.
Pods include light and sound sensory controls designed to provide a calming study and
decompression atmosphere; a need requested by many students (including those who identify as
neurodivergent). Additional funds will be used to support autism awareness on campus,
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including books and other resources for library display during Autism Awareness month in April
2024, and a series of four virtual training presentations for faculty and staff on autism
responsiveness on campus and in the classroom.
Brief Summary of Project Outcomes: An estimated number of 1,200 total students will benefit
from privacy pod usage in FY25, the first full academic/fiscal year after spring '24
implementation. An estimated 40 faculty and staff will receive professional development training
in Autism Cultural Responsiveness, and 5-6 staff will be trained on Behavioral Intervention
through NABITA.
Holyoke Community College (HCC)
Target population: Holyoke Community College students facing