Howard Community College has expanded reproductive health services on campus.

Howard Community College’s wellness center is getting a shot in the arm — a $1 million grant from Howard County, Maryland, to expand health services on campus.

Over the next three years, it will fund a pilot program to expand the number of clinics per month and services provided by the Howard County Health Department on campus.

Expanded services include telemedicine, complete contraception, including IUDs, opportunities to ask a good woman, sexually transmitted treatment options, PrEP and HIV prevention, and a separate exam room.

“We have also decided to hire a full-time registered nurse, a full-time social worker and a part-time counselor to provide service exploration and options and counseling to our students who need a variety of health care services that may not be covered by the health care center or health department,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said Thursday. He said in the announcement of the gift.

The pilot expansion will be implemented in three phases. The first major improvement was the Health Department hosting twice a month clinics on campus.

“Currently, the Department of Health offers the following services at the health center: pregnancy testing and counseling, selective contraception, sexually transmitted infections, screening and testing, and vaccinations against HPV, flu and Covid,” said Dr. Kelly Russo, Howard Medical Director. County Health Department.

Later this fall, telemedicine visits will be added.

“This gives students the opportunity to communicate directly with a physician or nurse practitioner about STI outcomes and treatment, pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, and starting or changing birth control methods,” Russo said.

Then in January and early spring, HCC will become a federal Title 10 satellite clinic under the auspices of the county health department. Under the new name, the clinic will be classified as a Department of Health clinic, offering a full range of contraceptives, including well-woman visits, gynecological and breast examinations, and long-acting reversible contraception.

Tara Rupp, associate director of student safety at Howard Community College, said the expansion of on-campus offerings will increase the burden on students.

“It will be a big relief for students who don’t have transportation, don’t have health insurance and don’t have enough money,” Rupp said. “If we get these services, more time, getting nurses here, getting counselors here — we can really get students where they are.

We can break down barriers and allow students to not only focus on their academics, but actually focus on their personal growth and development and well-being.