Strategic Initiatives Update

Each month, this column will highlight the supporting initiatives that are intended to help FSCJ achieve the goals identified in our Strategic Plan.

Initiatives Supporting Goal #3:  Increase Retention and Completion

• Clinton Foundation College Health Program Initiative

This emerging initiative is designed to promote physical, behavioral and sexual health programs at the College in an effort to create a sustainable culture of health at FSCJ. The Clinton Foundation is establishing these programs in areas that are disproportionately impacted by chronic disease and where health disparities exist; Jacksonville is the only area in the state of Florida that was targeted.  

As a result of being awarded this initiative, FSCJ students will be able to participate in regional learning communities. Additionally, the College will provide and improve student health programs, establish an interdisciplinary Collegewide student health task force and complete an assessment survey to determine our College’s priority health issue.  Participation in this initiative will increase students’ awareness and knowledge of important health issues.  Creating a sustainable culture of health will promote students’ achievement of their academic goals.

• The Mental Health First Aid USA Initiative

Coordinated by the National Council for Behavioral Health, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Missouri Department of Mental Health, this initiative provides, at no cost to the College, training for two FSCJ employees to become certified Mental Health First Aid instructors.  Following this training, these employees will host a minimum of five training sessions over the next three years with the goal of training 750 faculty, staff and community members. 

The training should give employees the knowledge to support students who are experiencing mental health challenges, making students better able to continue their enrollment and complete their degree.

For more information about these initiatives, contact Academic Director of Health Sciences Monica Franklin.