Delta College’s Coordinated Care Network Initiative

Delta College's Student and Educational Services division has initiated a transformative project to address students' basic needs by establishing a Coordinated Care Network (CCN). This innovative network is grounded in research from The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University, which emphasizes the critical role of nonacademic support in fostering student success. Studies show that institutions implementing integrated, student-centered support systems experience enhanced retention and graduation rates (Martinez et al., 2021), which significantly influenced Delta College's decision to adopt a holistic framework connecting students to vital resources through comprehensive case management.
Strategically aligned with statewide initiatives, such as Michigan's Student Basic Needs Task Force, CCN focuses on reducing barriers low-income students face, including food insecurity and housing instability. Delta College's response included direct financial support through its Special Assistance program, which in 2024 has provided nearly $50,000 to address essential needs like rent, utility bills, and textbooks (see Table 1). This proactive, collaborative care model utilizes internal and external resources to ensure that students can concentrate on their education without the distractions of nonacademic challenges (Broton et al., 2022).
Table 1: Delta College’s Response to Financial Insecurity

Data collected by Shelly Raube, November 1, 2024
Delta's food security initiatives further emphasize meeting students' basic needs. The Delta Food Pantry supports students facing food insecurity, distributing over 4,500 items in 2023, including family food boxes, lunch bags, and food vouchers (see Table 2). This initiative reflects the network's mission to eliminate nonacademic challenges that impact student success, aligning with findings from research that show a positive correlation between food security and academic performance (Broton et al., 2022).
Table 2: Delta College’s Support of Food Security

Data collected by Shelly Raube, November 1, 2024
Additional resources supplement Delta College's approach, including the mobile medical unit; free shuttle services; and Delta Closet, which provides healthcare, transportation, and clothing support. Partnerships with organizations like United Way and Michigan Works extend these efforts by facilitating access to housing support, career readiness, childcare, and emergency relief services (see Table 3).
Table 3: Delta College’s Response to Student Basic Needs

Data collected by Shelly Raube, November 1, 2024
Further support comes through the MiLEAP Barrier Removal Direct to Students program, which addresses emergency needs, and the cost of attendance support initiatives covering tuition, textbooks, and class supplies (see Table 3). These resources align with Delta College's commitment to providing comprehensive, responsive support that addresses predictable and emergent challenges, creating a stable foundation for students' academic journeys.
The MI-BEST Year 2 Report highlights the importance of aligning strategic college plans with basic needs support, underscoring the role of leadership and faculty in building effective, sustainable support systems (Broton et al., 2022). The report emphasizes that when colleges actively listen to students, leverage data, and engage community partners, they can create sustainable support systems that promote long-term student success. Delta College's CCN exemplifies these best practices by fostering a holistic, inclusive network that prioritizes academic progress and economic stability.
Additionally, Delta College has expanded its Financial Aid Office to assist students in navigating the complexities of the FAFSA, thereby improving completion rates and contributing to overall academic success. The initiative, along with the creation of a student resource guide and targeted marketing efforts, ensures that students are informed about and connected to the resources available to them.
Through the Coordinated Care Network, Delta College serves as a model for enhancing retention and completion rates by addressing students' comprehensive needs. This approach resonates with findings from The Hope Center and MI-BEST initiative, reinforcing Delta's commitment to creating an inclusive, student-centered environment where students can thrive academically and personally (Martinez et al., 2021).
References
Broton, K., Mohebali, M., & Lingo, M. (2022). Basic needs insecurity and mental health: Community college students’ dual challenges and use of social support. Community College Review, 50(4), 456-482.
Martinez, S., Esaryk, E., Moffat, L., & Ritchie, L. (2021). Redefining basic needs for higher education: It’s more than minimal food and housing according to California university students. American Journal of Health Promotion, 35(6), 818-834.
Shelly Raube is Vice President, Student Empowerment and Success, and James Perry is Dean, Enrollment and Access, at Delta College in University Center, Michigan.
Opinions expressed in Learning Abstracts are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the League for Innovation in the Community College.