OATdb Archive - Sam Houston State University

OATdb Archive

2008 - 2009

Counseling Services

Goal

ADA-Adaptive Technology

Improve the quality and utility of the adaptive technology equipment and services provided to students.

Objective

ADA-Assessment Of Adaptive Technology

Assess the quality and utility of adaptive technology equipment from the perspective of student users, along with disability experts from peer institutions.

Indicator

ADA-Data From Peer Institutions

Data will be collected from a selection of experts from peer institutions regarding the quality of specific resources currently available to SHSU students.

Criterion

ADA-Comparison with TSUS Institutions

Adaptive technology quality will be equal to or greater than that of other institutions in the Texas State University System. Provision, quality, and accessibility of accommodated testing will be equal to or greater than than of other institutions in the Texas State University System.

Finding

ADA-Adaptive Technology

SHSU needs to improve the technology available for low-vision and visually impaired students, as well as the general availability of adaptive technology across campus.

Finding

ADA-Accommodated Testing

SHSU needs to increase the amount of space available for the provision of accommodated testing. In addition improvements in proctoring/monitoring these tests also need to be made.

Action

ADA-Adaptive Technology Expansion/Update

A planned move of the Adaptive Technology lab will allow for more space and the acquisition of new CCTV's for low vision students. In addition, we are currently looking into acquiring portable versions of some devices that can be checked out by students on an as-needed basis. Efforts to expand the availability of various types of adaptive software to additional computer labs are ongoing.

Goal

CC-Service Provision

Attend to the mental health needs of the SHSU student population through counseling and psychoeducational outreach.

Objective

CC-Brief Therapy

Provide time limited counseling and psychological services to the SHSU student population, which meet the mental health needs of those students.

Indicator

CC-Clinical Productivity

Data reflecting number of students seen for services, number of sessions provided, and client satisfaction.

Criterion

CC-Client Satisfaction

An increase in 5% of total number of students seen and sessions provided. A satisfaction rate of 80% for those receiving clinical services.

Finding

CC-Client Satisfactin Survey Results

Students utilizing CC services increased by approximately 3.5% during FY09, while client satisfaction in services received was approximately 84%

Action

Placeholder For Client Statisfaction Data Related Action

Will seek approval for funding of 1-2 additional clinical staff members to increase capability to see additional clients. End of semester survey will be modified to capture more meaningful information (e.g. Impact of counseling on academic performance).

Objective

CC-Outreach

Provide workshops and other preventive educational outreach programs focused on psychological and emotional health to the SHSU student population.

Indicator

CC-Outreach Assessment

Conduct evaluations of the effectiveness of the outreach initiatives provided by the Counseling Center staff.

Criterion

CC-Outreach Evaluation

85% of students completing an evaluation of an outreach program will communicate overall satisfaction with the program.

Finding

CC-Outreach Evaluation Results

Results of Outreach Evaluations indicated that approximately 79% of students were satisfied with the outreach programming they attended. Approximately 63% of students believed that they gained skills that could be applied to everyday life, while 87 percent would recommend the workshop they attended to a friend.

Action

Placeholder For Outreach Data Related Action

Although a significant number of students were satisfied with the quality of the outreach programming they attended, the overall goal of 85% was not attained. In reviewing survey results, this is likely due to the fact that a relatively low number of students believed they gained usable skills as a result of attending the outreach. During FY '10 an effort will be made to include a practical/skill based element to outreach presentations (when appropriate). An example might be walking a class through a breathing exercise during an outreach on stress management.

Goal

CC-Training

Contribute to the training of developing professionals in the field of psychology.

Objective

CC-Graduate Training Program

Provide training opportunities to graduate students in the mental health professions that will contribute to their ability to further learn and apply psychological principles with clients from the SHSU student population.

Indicator

CC-Training Effectiveness

Formal evaluation of clinical services provided by trainees in addition to evaluation of training program effectiveness by said trainees.

Criterion

CC-Trainee Evaluation

Clinical supervisors will rate trainees as moderately effective or higher in the application of psychological principles with clients. Trainees will rate the training program as moderately effective or higher.

Finding

CC-Graduate Student Evaluation Results

All practicum students indicated that their training experiences met or exceeded their expectations and needs.

Finding

CC-Post Doctoral Trainee Evaluation Results

Post doctoral resident indicated that all training activities met or exceeded training needs.

Action

Placeholder For Graduate Training Related Action

Graduate trainees will continue to be provided with a variety of training experiences to help them develop well-rounded clinical skills. With the addition of new staff members during FY '10 we plan to add additional opportunities related to group therapy and providing services to diverse populations.

Objective

CC-Post Doctoral Training Program

Provide training opportunities for new mental health professionals that will contribute to their ability to apply psychological theory and researched based interventions to clients from the SHSU student population.

Indicator

CC-Training Effectiveness

Formal evaluation of clinical services provided by trainees in addition to evaluation of training program effectiveness by said trainees.

Criterion

CC-Trainee Evaluation

Finding

CC-Graduate Student Evaluation Results

All practicum students indicated that their training experiences met or exceeded their expectations and needs.

Finding

CC-Post Doctoral Trainee Evaluation Results

Post doctoral resident indicated that all training activities met or exceeded training needs.

Action

Placeholder For Post Doctoral Training Related Action

Despite positive feedback, additional emphasis will be placed on preparing post-doctoral residents for their own job searches.

Goal

CC-Multicultural Awareness

Use values of diversity and inclusiveness to guide delivery of services to the student population.

Objective

CC-Diversity/Inclusiveness

The population of students served will reflect the diversity of the SHSU student body to demonstrate the inclusiveness of the agency, as well as to communicate to the university the value of an inclusive posture.

Indicator

CC-Racial/Ethnic Demographics

Data reflecting racial/ethnic demographics to be compared with the general student population.

Criterion

CC-Racial/Ethnic Representation

Racial/ethnic demographics of students receiving clinical services will be comparable to those of the broader campus population.

Finding

CC-Racial/Ethnic Demographic Analysis

Use of CC by racial/ethnic minority students for the '09 academic year was approximately 35%. This is slightly above the rang of students with a racial/ethnic minorty background on SHSU's campus (28-30%).

Action

Placeholder For Diversity Relacted Action

Although data suggests that the Counseling Center is doing an effective job reaching traditionally under-served populations, it also suggests that certain of these groups are significantly less likely to utilize services. During FY '09 efforts will be made to focus outreach programming on these groups to increase awareness of services. The feasibility of a study on barriers to service utilization will also be investigated.

Goal

ADA-Accommodated Testing

Improve the quality and accessibility of the testing accommodation.

Objective

ADA-Assessment Of Accommodated Testing

Assess the quality and utility of the testing accommodation from the perspective of student and instructor users, along with disability experts from peer institutions.

Indicator

ADA-Data From Peer Institutions

Data will be collected from a selection of experts from peer institutions regarding the quality of specific resources currently available to SHSU students.

Criterion

ADA-Comparison with TSUS Institutions

Finding

ADA-Adaptive Technology

SHSU needs to improve the technology available for low-vision and visually impaired students, as well as the general availability of adaptive technology across campus.

Finding

ADA-Accommodated Testing

SHSU needs to increase the amount of space available for the provision of accommodated testing. In addition improvements in proctoring/monitoring these tests also need to be made.

Action

ADA-Accommodated Testing Expansion

A planned shifting of various spaces within the Counseling Center office will allow for the creation of a dedicated testing room. This will allow for between 7-10 exams to be administered at once. We are in the process of purchasing a closed-circuit camera system, per industry standard, to improve the monitoring of tests.

Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement Counseling Center:

The Sam Houston State University Counseling Center exists to support the academic success and personal growth of students by providing effective therapeutic support. We embrace a student-oriented philosophy that is respectful of diversity and is committed to the development of the student as a whole person. We believe that prevention focused initiatives are just as important as response based interventions. Furthermore, we see the opportunity to instill these values in future clinicians through meaningful training experiences as an important part of our mission.

In order to provide effective therapeutic support, the Counseling Center offers a variety of therapeutic treatment modalities; including individual therapy, couples therapy, and group therapy. All performance indicators associated with client satisfaction have been met consistently throughout the year, and plans are in place to implement learning indicators for the coming fiscal year to make this data more meaningful. Based on feedback from client satisfaction surveys new group therapy options are being developed for FY 10, including a support group for students who are parents and an additional offering of our popular interpersonal therapy group. Information gathered from measures of client distress indicates significant drops in severity for the majority of our clients from the first session to the last. This further demonstrates that both student success and personal growth are enhanced by participation in counseling.

One of SHSU?s greatest strengths is the diverse nature of its student body, staff, and faculty. The varied perspectives provided by such diversity create a desirable environment not only for academic growth but also for personal enrichment. Although final data associated with diversity related efforts will not be available until the end of FY09, projections indicate that these will likely be met. A current review of this data suggests that international students are underrepresented within the Counseling Centers client base. As a result, the staff is investigating options to engage this population in a more meaningful and intentional way.

Prevention efforts are focused on a range of outreach programs that address common concerns faced by college students. Screenings and interactive presentations identify at-risk students and help them develop practical skills and enhance their critical thinking. Measures of outreach program effectiveness demonstrate that the majority of students attending these presentations feel that they have learned new skills and/or gained new insights into their behaviors. Due to the success of these programs, the Counseling Center staff is currently investigating opportunities to expand outreach efforts to broader audiences through collaboration with related campus agencies. Effective prevention programs are essential for the development of psychological and emotional wellness, and ultimately help support the missions of SHUS and the Division of Student Services.

An important opportunity for collaboration and support of SHSU?s academic programs comes in the form of the Counseling Center?s graduate training program, while our post-doctoral training program provides the chance to instill the values of SHSU into new professionals. Evaluations of trainees suggest that both training programs are doing an effective job of developing the necessary skills for the independent practice of psychology. In addition, feedback from current trainees? indicates a high level of satisfaction with the quality of training being provided. This information is being utilized to develop new training experiences to ensure maximal development of clinical skills.

Services for Students with Disabilities:

The primary mission of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) is to ensure that all otherwise qualified students have equal access to university programs and activities, regardless of disability status. Equal access is achieved when barriers to learning are removed and students with disabilities are allowed to compete solely on the basis of their academic skills and abilities. SSD has experienced a rapid rate of growth during the past two years in terms of total number of students registering for services, and total number of services provided. As a result, the departments main goals for FY09 focused on improving the quality of adaptive technology available to students, in addition to improving the availability of the testing accommodation.

Students with impairments related to vision, hearing, and learning are often unable to interact with professors and classmates during a lecture the way that their peers can. This presents a significant barrier to learning and development in general. The use of adaptive technology can significantly close this gap, leading to a more successful academic experience. An assessment of the current breadth and quality of adaptive technologies indicated that SSD was lacking in several key areas of adaptive technology, and that the overall space allotted for an adaptive technology lab was significantly less than peer institutions. Based on this information, SSD is in the process of implementing a plan to increase the variety of adaptive technology available, in addition to the space allotted for the adaptive technology lab. Future assessment efforts in this area will focus on the effectiveness and utility of these technologies, along with their impact on student learning.

Many students who register with SSD require some accommodations related to testing. These accommodations ensure that students with disabilities are given the same opportunities to demonstrate their mastery of course content as their peers. An assessment of the current space allocated for testing and associated procedures indicated that SSD was significantly lacking in the space used for administering accommodated exams. In particular, no space existed where blind or low-vision students could have an exam read aloud without distracting other test takers. As a result, SSD has begun the process of developing a formal testing room which will allow for a significant increase in the number of tests administered. In addition, a separate satellite testing room will allow the needs of blind and low-vision students to be met. During FY10, SSD plans to assess the impact that these changes have had on students who require the testing accommodation.

Providing a quality education is the primary goal of SHSU, and the office of SSD directly contributes to this goal through the services it provides. The department will continue to use a variety of assessment practices to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of these services, and to develop new and innovative ways of supporting our students.