Use this brief to understand learn how three institutions designed dynamic staffing models for their counseling centers to be responsive to student demand. Then, use the discussion guide to explore dynamic staffing models as a solution to fluctuating counseling center demand on your campus.
Across the U.S. and Canada, counseling centers face stagnant budgets and staffing levels as well as fluctuating demand for service across the year. Most institutions cannot hire enough full-time staff to meet the demand for campus services, leading some counseling centers to explore dynamic staffing models.
Providing 24/7 support, or after-hours crisis care, is a significant challenge for many college and university counseling centers. Providing this type of care in-house can lead to staff burnout and strained clinical resources. It can also lead to capped utilization, as this service might be sparingly advertised to students and campus stakeholders in order to maintain a manageable call load.
However, institutions recognize that after-hours support that is in sync with campus resources is critical for ensuring student well-being, campus safety, and continuity of care. Many institutions have recently contracted with an after-hours call service or were currently pursuing such an option to alleviate the demand on campus staff.
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The impact of providing after-hours…