Promising Approaches to Student Basic Needs Support: Evidence from Leading Colleges and the Literature. Research Report. RR-A3771-3
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| Title: | Promising Approaches to Student Basic Needs Support: Evidence from Leading Colleges and the Literature. Research Report. RR-A3771-3 |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Jenna W. Kramer, Isaiah Simmons, Amanda Perez, Lindsay Daugherty, RAND Education and Labor |
| Source: | RAND Corporation. 2025. |
| Availability: | RAND Corporation. P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138. Tel: 877-584-8642; Tel: 310-451-7002; Fax: 412-802-4981; e-mail: order@rand.org; Web site: http://www.rand.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 52 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Institute of Education Sciences (ED) |
| Contract Number: | R305A200101 |
| Intended Audience: | Practitioners |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education Two Year Colleges |
| Descriptors: | Community Colleges, Community College Students, Needs, Need Gratification, Nutrition, Housing, Student Personnel Services, Partnerships in Education, Outreach Programs, Caseworker Approach, Organizational Culture, Evidence Based Practice, Public Support, Emergency Programs, Transportation, Access to Computers, Child Care, Mental Health Programs |
| Geographic Terms: | California, Colorado, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia |
| DOI: | 10.7249/RRA3771-3 |
| Abstract: | Many community college students across the country face financial constraints and unmet basic needs for food and housing. Basic needs insecurity is associated with negative academic outcomes, and many colleges now view such basic needs supports as food pantries and emergency aid as a core strategy for supporting student success. The goal of this report is to provide clear guidance to community college leadership and staff on promising features that colleges should build into their basic needs support approaches. The authors identified six core features of strong basic needs support approaches at community colleges: (1) comprehensive basic needs supports; (2) dedicated basic needs supports staff and partnerships; (3) broad outreach efforts; (4) streamlined intake and case management; (5) an institutional culture that prioritizes basic needs support; (6) and data-informed practices. To identify these features, the authors conducted a literature review, consulted five national experts on basic needs evidence, and interviewed staff and leadership at 16 community colleges identified as leaders in basic needs support across California, Colorado, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. The evidence from interviews illustrates how leading community colleges have been implementing these features. The authors also describe the federal, state, and system initiatives that helped to support college efforts. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| IES Funded: | Yes |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | ED676939 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Many community college students across the country face financial constraints and unmet basic needs for food and housing. Basic needs insecurity is associated with negative academic outcomes, and many colleges now view such basic needs supports as food pantries and emergency aid as a core strategy for supporting student success. The goal of this report is to provide clear guidance to community college leadership and staff on promising features that colleges should build into their basic needs support approaches. The authors identified six core features of strong basic needs support approaches at community colleges: (1) comprehensive basic needs supports; (2) dedicated basic needs supports staff and partnerships; (3) broad outreach efforts; (4) streamlined intake and case management; (5) an institutional culture that prioritizes basic needs support; (6) and data-informed practices. To identify these features, the authors conducted a literature review, consulted five national experts on basic needs evidence, and interviewed staff and leadership at 16 community colleges identified as leaders in basic needs support across California, Colorado, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. The evidence from interviews illustrates how leading community colleges have been implementing these features. The authors also describe the federal, state, and system initiatives that helped to support college efforts. |
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| DOI: | 10.7249/RRA3771-3 |
