Community of Support for Students, Faculty, and Staff Who Identify as Neurodivergent and/or Disabled

Banner Image Alternative Text: Depicted is an aerial view of the Savitz Hall exterior at Rowan University. Students, academic faculty, and staff are depicted from afar in the photograph.

 

Prepared by:

Patricia Fortunato, Content and Program Manager, Clinical Research and Grants, NeuroMusculoskeletal Institute (NMI); and Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training and Content Developer, Department of Psychiatry, Rowan–Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (Rowan–Virtua SOM) (fortun83@rowan.edu)

in collaboration with

Chiara Latimer, Autism Preparation and Achievement in the Transition to Hire (PATH) Coordinator; and Co-Director, Center for Neurodiversity at Rowan University;

Serena Powell, Electronic Resources and Serials Specialist, Collection Management at Rowan University Libraries; and Facilitator, Neurodivergent Employee Resource Group at Rowan University;

Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Rowan University;

and medical, clinical, and administrative colleagues at the Rowan University Wellness Center, Rowan University Academic Affairs, and Rowan–Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (Rowan–Virtua SOM)

This article/list of services and resources will remain updated.

 

Thank you to staff and faculty colleagues across Rowan University, for collaborating and helping to provide input and resources for Disability Employment Awareness Month at go.rowan.edu/ndeam.

Together with all Rowan colleges and schools, we are committed to supporting neurodivergent people and people with disabilities; and overall diversity, equity, and inclusion across our campuses and communities.

 

Support for Rowan Students

The Office of Accessibility Services at Rowan University: This campus office, located in Glassboro, provides accommodations and assistance to undergraduate and graduate students with documented disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Students who meet University admissions requirements (i.e., otherwise qualified to attend the University) are required to submit appropriate documentation so that the University can determine whether they qualify for reasonable accommodations. Learn more about these services on the Rowan University website, and contact the Office of Accessibility Services at successcenter@rowan.edu or call 856.256.4259.

Other services provided by this office include and are not limited to the following:

 

Sensory-Friendly Spaces at Rowan University: There are designated sensory-friendly spaces on the Glassboro campus which allow Rowan undergraduate and graduate students to have access to a place for decompression. Each space has low lighting, limited sound options, and access to fidgets. These spaces are located in Hawthorne Hall 202 near the front desk for the Office of Social Justice, Inclusion, and Conflict Resolution (SJICR); Laurel Hall 116 in the Center for Neurodiversity; and Discovery Hall's Quiet Room on the first floor.

 

Support for Rowan Faculty and Staff

The Neurodivergent Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Rowan University: The Neurodivergent ERG is a community where neurodivergent Rowan faculty and staff can freely exchange resources and engage in discussions pertaining to their experiences as neurodivergent individuals. All Rowan employees who identify (or who think they may identify) as neurodivergent are welcome! The group meets on select Tuesdays at 1pm and Fridays at 10am during the fall 2023 semester. Register at this link or by emailing Serena Powell at powellse@rowan.edu.

 

Support for Rowan Students, Faculty, and Staff

The Center for Neurodiversity at Rowan University: This campus center, located in Glassboro, facilitates resources, educational events, and support services for all Rowan students, faculty, staff, and community at large. The center's shared tenets of neurodiversity culture are:

  • valuing neurological differences as diversity and as one of many aspects of identity,
  • recognizing that a variety of minds benefits society,
  • viewing neurodivergence from a strength perspective, and
  • understanding that neurodiversity and disability co-exist.

Learn more about the Center for Neurodiversity on the Rowan University website, and contact the center at neurodiversity@rowan.edu.

 

Other Support for Rowan Students

The Wellness Center provides numerous support services for undergraduate and graduate students on the Glassboro campus who are struggling with mental health issues, substance dependence, substance use disorder (SUD), and other medical needs. The Wellness Center at Winans Hall on the Glassboro campus facilitates the following services:

*If you are in crisis, you can call Rowan Public Safety at 856.256.4911. Additionally, the Wellness Center After Hours emergency number is 856.256.4333 (follow the prompts to speak with a counselor on call); or call Public Safety at 856.256.4911.

 

  • Rowan Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS): This service offers high-quality counseling to address a range of mental health issues, for Rowan undergraduate and graduate students on the Glassboro campus. CPS further offers its services to Rowan faculty and staff on the Glassboro campus regarding issues impacting the campus community. Confidential personal clinical counseling and other psychological services are available cost-free to all currently enrolled students. Students should call 856.256.4333 or email wellnesscenter@rowan.edu to make an in-person appointment. To schedule teletherapy, visit the Rowan CPS website.
  • Rowan Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AOD) Program: Confidential, high-quality counseling/therapy and treatment for Rowan undergraduate and graduate students on the Glassboro campus who are struggling with any substance dependence, SUD, and mental health issues is available at the Wellness Center through its AOD Program. Students can make an appointment with a licensed clinical provider by calling 856.256.4333 or emailing wellnesscenter@rowan.edu. To learn more about services, visit the Rowan Wellness Center website.
  • Rowan Student Health Services (SHS): This service offers cost-free illness and injury visits for Rowan undergraduate and graduate students on the Glassboro campus. Students are clinically evaluated by a physician or advanced practice nurse (APN), provided some medications and treatments, and/or are provided with medical referral for illnesses or injuries. SHS does not take the place of a primary care physician (PCP). Certain medications, and point-of-care lab tests, are offered cost-free. Reimbursement receipts can be submitted to health insurance companies. Students should call 856.256.4333 to make an in-person appointment. For non-emergency health-related questions, students can call 856.256.4333 and follow the prompts to speak with a nurse. To learn more about services, visit the Rowan SHS website.
  • Rowan Emergency Medical Services (EMS): This is a student-run organization chartered under the Rowan Student Government Association (SGA), providing 24/7 emergency medical care to the Glassboro campus, Rowan–Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (Rowan–Virtua SOM) campuses in Stratford and Sewell, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) campus in Camden, and surrounding communities. EMS also offers students cost-free non-urgent transportation to and from off-campus medical and counseling/therapy appointments, and pharmacy access for prescriptions unavailable at the Walgreens located on the Glassboro campus, within a 15-minute radius of campus. Transports are available Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm. All transport requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance. To learn more about this service, visit the Rowan EMS website.

 

Confidential, high-quality care for Rowan Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Rowan GSBS), Rowan–Virtua SOM, and CMSRU graduate students, medical students, and medical residents who are struggling with mental health issues is available at the Rowan–Virtua SOM Psychiatry clinical site:

  • Rowan–Virtua SOM Student Mental Health Center: All services are provided off-campus to protect privacy, at the Rowan–Virtua SOM Department of Psychiatry Mount Laurel clinic or via telehealth. For maximum privacy, no students or residents are permitted to shadow or deliver services for the center, and to protect against role conflicts, providers do not participate in the academic evaluation of graduate students, medical students, and medical residents. Please note that this clinical site is currently only insurance-based. Rowan GSBS, Rowan–Virtua SOM, and CMSRU graduate students, medical students, and medical residents who are seeking a diagnostic evaluation and/or clinical care will need to utilize health insurance to make an appointment with a psychiatrist for medication management/therapy or with a clinical psychologist for therapy/performance coaching. Rowan GSBS, Rowan–Virtua SOM, and CMSRU graduate students, medical students, and medical residents can make an appointment with a licensed clinical provider by calling 856.482.9000. If you are a Rowan GSBS, Rowan–Virtua SOM, or CMSRU graduate student, medical student, or medical resident calling Monday to Friday after 4pm ET or on a weekend, and you need urgent medical assistance or are in distress, please call Rowan Public Safety at 856.256.4911 and ask for the counselor on call. For more information about services, visit the Rowan–Virtua SOM Psychiatry website.

 

Other Support for Rowan Faculty and Staff

  • Employee Advisory Service (EAS): The EAS is a referral agency for Rowan faculty and staff. If, in the opinion of the EAS Advisor, the employee should seek medical assistance, the Advisor will help with the arrangements. If other services seem indicated, the employee will be advised and referred. Employees may contact the EAS directly, and are encouraged to voluntarily seek information and referral. All contact with the EAS is confidential. To learn more about services, please call 866.327.9133 or visit the Rowan EAS website.

 

Other Support for Rowan Students, Faculty, and Staff

  • Rowan University Recovery Support Group: The Rowan Recovery Support Group is facilitating fall 2023 semester meetings every Monday from 5pm to 6pm, at the Wellness Center in Winans Hall on the Glassboro campus. The group is open to all students, faculty, and staff from all Rowan colleges and schools including Rowan–Virtua SOM and CMSRU, who are in all stages of recovery and/or who are supporting loved ones/family members in all stages of recovery. The group is supportive of all people in recovery from substance dependence and addictions/disorders, including opioid use, stimulant use, alcohol use, and mental health disorders, and is supportive of people on all pathways to recovery including medication for addiction treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). It is facilitated by John Woodruff, Senior Director of Accessibility and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator at Rowan, and Co-Director of the Center for Neurodiversity at Rowan. For more information about the group, email John Woodruff at woodruff@rowan.edu or call 267.566.8619. Click here to download the flyer for sharing with all Rowan students, faculty, and staff across all Rowan colleges and schools.
  • Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program: This service offers animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and animal-assisted education (AAE) for all students, faculty, and staff at Rowan University, Rowan–Virtua SOM, and CMSRU. Services include group and individual therapy animal visits; partnerships with Rowan student services, including accessibility services such as the Center for Neurodiversity, and other Wellness Center departments; exam de-stress events; and transition support. To learn more about services, visit the Rowan Pet Therapy website.

 

Other Support and Resources

  • Inclusive Therapists: Inclusive Therapists is a social justice movement founded by licensed marriage and family therapist Melody Li to destigmatize and expand mental health care to people with marginalized identities. You can search on the Inclusive Therapists website for a local licensed therapist, or licensed therapists available by telehealth, by insurance, specialties, and identity.
  • The Steve Fund: The Steve Fund is the United States' leading organization focused on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people of color. If you are a young person of color and feeling stressed, depressed, and/or anxious, text "STEVE" to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Learn more about services and additional resources on the Steve Fund website.
  • The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention support organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents and young adults. Call 866.488.7386 or text TREVOR to 202.304.1200, and visit the Trevor Project website for additional resources.
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: For mental health crisis support, for all people who are struggling and their loved ones/families, call or text "988." Visit the website at 988lifeline.org for additional resources.
  • Veterans Crisis Line: For mental health and suicide prevention crisis support, for veterans who are struggling and their loved ones/families, call or text "988" and then press "1" to reach responders from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—many of whom are veterans themselves—or visit the website at veteranscrisisline.net
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: SAMHSA offers 24/7 free, confidential information and referral for mental health and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Call 1.800.662.HELP

 

Additional educational information and supportive resources focused on mental health equity and suicide prevention are available at go.rowan.edu/bethe1to; and educational information and supportive resources focused on stigma, substance dependence and substance use disorder (SUD)/addictions treatment, and related terms and issues are available at go.rowan.edu/recovery.

 

Interested in contributing to the Rowan University DEI website/blog and/or social media? Please complete the following brief interest form and share with student groups and colleagues across all Rowan colleges and schools: go.rowan.edu/deicontent