Basic Needs Initiatives at Texas Community College Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Changes in Service Offerings during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were high rates of food and housing insecurity and unmet childcare, clothing, and physical and mental health needs among community college students. There was a growing body of evidence linking these unmet needs to adverse educational outcomes. In response, many community colleges had started to develop basic needs initiatives directed at addressing these unmet essential needs to make college feasible. The Covid-19 pandemic created enormous economic and logistical challenges for all sectors, including community colleges. The purpose of this study was to explore changes in community college student basic needs services and programs. An online survey of administrators at Texas community colleges designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions was administered in late fall 2020. Administrators were asked about 19 basic needs initiative areas. The results indicate an overall decrease in the number of basic needs initiative programs and services at the community colleges during the pandemic. While specific service provision areas, such as food, childcare, clothing, and training, had the greatest decline, programming directed at financial assistance, mental health referrals, student employment, and on-campus physical health services increased.