September 7, 2022

Welcome to the last month of the federal fiscal year! The Senate is back in session this week, while the House has a “committee work week” where there are no votes on the floor but there is activity at the committee level. Both chambers have their work cut out this month in order to keep the government funded beyond the September 30^th deadline. Now let's dive into the latest news in higher education.

Final Reminder: Basic Needs Grant Webinar

Join ACCT and the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University (The Hope Center) for a pre-application webinar on the Fiscal Year 2022 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program ("Basic Needs Grant").

Applications are due October 3, 2022 and will provide a total of $7.5 million for community colleges, HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other Minority-Serving Institutions to implement systemic solutions to student basic needs insecurity. The grant has the potential to fund significant activities and interventions on college campuses that can support student basic needs, which in turn helps advance student success.

The webinar will discuss the basics of the grant competition, allowable activities, Department of Education priorities, and the components of a successful grant application. Participants will learn about promising practices in providing systemic support for student basic needs that can be listed in the grant application, such as referring students to public benefits, co-locating services in basic needs hubs, and surveying students.

The webinar will take place Thursday, September 8 at 3:00 PM EDT. Register here.

Cultivating Digital Equity Webinar

Join ACCT's Strengthening Rural Community Colleges webinar series as they discuss how community-driven solutions focused on the adoption of broadband and technology tools for learning can unlock opportunities for learners, families, and caregivers as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. As states strategize implementation of funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, learn how leaders can ensure the needs of learners furthest from digital opportunities are reflected in plans, including state digital equity plans. Additionally, gain an understanding of the role of different sectors in the digital equity ecosystem – including state and local leaders, school systems, internet service providers, community-based organizations, and edtech organizations – in supporting digital inclusion efforts for learners.

The webinar will take place Monday, September 12 at 3:00 PM EDT. Register here.

Lessons from the Field Webinar

Join the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to learn practical, ready-to-use strategies for preventing sexual violence and other gender-based violence on college and university campuses. This webinar will feature a roundtable of higher education administrators and a student perspective along with experts describing actual practices, strategies, and lessons learned in their efforts to support prevention and reduce the incidence of gender-based violence on college and university campuses.

The Partners in Prevention: Engaging the Campus Community to Prevent Gender-Based Violence webinar will take place Wednesday, September 14 from 3:00 - 4:15 PM EDT. Register here.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

This past July, the Department of Health & Human Services rolled out the new 988 dialing code. 988 is the new three-digit number to call, text or chat that connects people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, where compassionate, accessible care and support are available for anyone experiencing mental health–related distress.

ACCT is partnering with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to help amplify their transition in order to reach students who may need to reach out for help through the Lifeline. We also want to highlight the job opportunities they offer throughout our membership. The Lifeline is currently hiring crisis counselors as volunteers, part-time, and full-time employees throughout over 200 local crisis centers. We encourage institutions to help amplify these opening throughout their campuses, especially among students interested in social work, behavioral health, or mental health related careers.

If your institution is interested in partnering with this initiative, please locate your local crisis center and reach out to them directly or review the 988 Partner Toolkit for for more information.

October 3 - deadline to apply for the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
October 11 - deadline to apply for College Completion Fund for Postsecondary Student Success
October 25 - deadline to apply for third round of funding for SCCTG

Outreach Efforts

Is you institution meeting or hosting an event with federal elected officials?

We created a Congressional Contact Form that will help us track outreach efforts of community college leaders across our membership. By filling out the form, you are better informing ACCT's advocacy efforts and our advocacy team is able to continue those conversations with congressional staff in DC.

We also put together an outreach toolkit and an advocacy guide to share best practices for meeting with elected officials and set your team up for success.

ACCT NOW is the go-to resource for issues affecting community colleges. Our new website features original reporting and research, as well as of-the-moment legislative updates. ACCT NOW also includes articles, reports, and research from outside sources that benefit the ACCT community. Read the Latest Articles on ACCT NOW:

A Three-Step Guide to Rural Community College-Workforce Partnerships

How Community Colleges Are Supporting Students Through Rising Costs

CHIPS and Science Act: What’s In It For Community Colleges, and What Items Were Left Out

Have a Question?

Contact us with any questions or concerns about public policy and ACCT's advocacy on behalf of two-year colleges and two-year college trustees. ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts are sent to interested ACCT members to keep you up to date on important legislative activities that impact community colleges. If you no longer wish to receive ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts, reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. For more information about ACCT's advocacy services, visit acct.org/advocacy

Spread the Word.

Please encourage your fellow trustees, presidents and colleagues to stay up to date about legislation that affects their community colleges by joining the Latest Action in Washington (LAW) E-Alert network. To join, simply e-mail publicpolicy@acct.org with 'LAW Alert' in the subject of the e-mail.

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