Grant To Boost Student Involvement At HCC Sexual, Reproductive Health Clinic

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Health Department has received a grant from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research to promote and increase student engagement in the sexual and reproductive health clinic at Howard Community College.

The funding, provided through the IWPR Connect for Success Initiative, will allow HCHD to ensure that the services provided at HCC meet the needs of the student population. Connect for Success is a new initiative aimed at significantly increasing community college students' access to high-quality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services and supports.

“Many community college campuses across the country lack access to on-campus health services,” said Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer. “We have worked closely with county and HCC leadership to expand the sexual and reproductive health services available on campus. Now, we can use this opportunity to improve awareness of these comprehensive services and to make sure all students have access to high-quality care.”

Using funding provided by the Howard County government in 2022, The HCHD Health Services team was able to expand the hours and services available at its HCC Health Clinic. The next step will be administering a survey to HCC students and staff during the fall 2024 semester to assess current awareness and accessibility of these health clinic services. Other planned activities include building partnerships and connections with existing campus programs, completing student focus groups, recruiting student clinic champions, and expanding clinic branding.

“Two years ago, I announced a major $1 million investment to expand and prioritize preventative reproductive healthcare services at HCC, in order to ensure its students have improved access to the care they need,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “I want to thank Dr. Rossman, her staff and IWPR for further supporting the needs of our students and ensuring women have the right to make their own choices for their reproductive healthcare and family planning needs.”

“Every student deserves to be empowered by good information and quality guidance from caring experts when it comes to sensitive topics like sexual well-being,” added Daria J. Willis, Howard Community College president. "I am so proud that Howard Community College will continue to partner with Howard County to expand reproductive and sexual health services and provide our students with care when they need it most.”