Students at Howard Community College (HCC) will soon have a sexual and reproductive health clinic that better meets their needs, thanks to a grant from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR).The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) received the grant from the IWPR Connect for Success Initiative to promote and increase student engagement with the clinic. Connect for Success is an initiative that aims to significantly increase community college students’ access to high-quality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services and related supports.“Many community college campuses across the country lack access to on-campus health services,” said Dr. 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.”In 2022, the HCHD Health Services team expanded the hours and services of its HCC Health Clinic, thanks to funding from the Howard County Government. Next, HCC students and staff will participate in a survey during the fall 2024 semester to assess how accessible these services are, and how much the students know about them.There will also be activities with existing campus programs, 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,” said Howard Community College President Dr. Daria J. Willis. “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.”“Community college students, especially those representing historically marginalized communities, often face significant barriers to accessing the sexual and reproductive health care and resources they need,” said Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, president and CEO of IWPR. “Through Connect for Success, we are working to break down these barriers, ensuring that all students have the support they need to thrive academically and personally in order to succeed in life.”Connect for Success is a two-year program, and grant amounts range from $25,000-$75,000 for the two-year period. HCHD was one of 11 recipients of funding through this initiative. The goal, according to the Connect for Success website, is “to increase community college students’ access to high-quality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive care, information, and resources, and improve their ability to manage their reproductive lives and succeed in college.”