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| DSS eligibility workers, ready to help students succeed |
UCSB recently hosted a "Getting Through College" event, and DSS representatives were there to provide information and answer questions about our programs. Part town hall and part resource fair, the event provided students an opportunity to express their needs, and to connect with community resources that could help them meet their basic needs and succeed in school.
DSS was represented by Deputy Director for eligibility programs Maria Gardner, as well as three Eligibility Workers: Diana Aguirre, Michelle Niro, and Estefania Escalera. They came ready and able to address a variety of questions about CalFresh and MediCal—from the application and interview process, to concerns about immigration status or tax implications for parents. Read on to learn more.
The event took place October 11 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Corwin Pavilion, and was hosted by the UCSB Office of the External Vice President for Local Affairs (EVPLA).
After a brief reception with light snacks, the panel discussion began. Elected representatives, UCSB administration, students and community members engaged in a conversation about issues pertaining to basic needs and the overall college experience. Topics included food security, housing security, access to health care, transportation and accessibility, undocumented student support, and more.
The evening's panelists included California Assemblymember Monique Limón, US Congressman Salud Carbajal, Third District County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Margaret Klawunn, and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Mike Miller.
Hartmann explained her role as a Supervisor in overseeing the provision of DSS services. Both she and UCSB Sustainability Coordinator Katie Maynard expressed interest in ways DSS might be able to help improve program access, including greater collaboration and campus presence. (The Saengjaeng Division has since responded by participating in a UCSB CalFresh Outreach event on October 16, and by scheduling an in-service training with the UCSB CalFresh application assistants for October 28.)
Community members shared their personal experiences and struggles with basic needs while getting through college, and a brainstorming session to identify solutions followed.
The event concluded with the resource fair, highlighting the ongoing efforts to support students by various departments and groups in the community and at UCSB.
