Care and Support
About Care and Support
At San Francisco State University, we believe that every Gator deserves not only a great education, but also the resources and support to overcome challenges along the way. The Care and Support Unit – encompassing Basic Needs support, Case Management and The SAFE Place – is your dedicated support resources on campus. From your first semester to graduation day, our mission is to ensure you never have to navigate personal hardships alone. Whether you’re facing food or housing insecurity, personal or if need someone to talk to, we’re here to help you feel empowered and succeed academically.
Our Approach: Proactive, Holistic and Collaborative
Our Care and Support Unit doesn’t just react to problems – we take a proactive, student-centered approach to foster well-being across campus. Here are the key strategies that guide our work:
- Early Intervention: We believe in helping students early, before challenges escalate. Through the Care and Support Form, students can reach out to our CARE team to request a meeting with one of our case managers. Our teams in Basic Needs, Case Management and the Dean of Students Office provide direct services in resource coordination, advocacy, coaching, consultation on university policies, emergency grants, housing and food stability resources and so much more. Our CARE Team is here to help students navigate SFSU, build their network of support, and succeed academically, personally and professionally.
- Holistic Support: You are more than just your academics – so our support is designed to be holistic and wraparound. The Care and Support team addresses the full spectrum of student needs: physical health, mental health, emotional well-being, safety, financial stability and more. Our staff comes from diverse professional backgrounds (social work, student affairs, counseling, public health) and works together to reduce barriers to student success. We also coordinate with other SFSU offices like Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Financial Aid and academic departments to ensure you get comprehensive care. Our philosophy: helping the “whole student” leads to the best outcomes.
Campus and Community Partnerships: We know a culture of care is necessary to empower our students. Our unit maintains strong partnerships both on campus and in the community. On campus, we collaborate with Student Financial Aid, Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, Residential Life, Counseling and Psychological Services, Undergraduate Advising Center, Associated Students, and Disability Programs and Resource Center (and so many more!).
Off campus, we partner with regional organizations for specialized support, including Third Street, LYRIC, SFWAR, CalFresh and Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence (to name just a few!).
Our Care and Support team works with faculty, staff and students to ensure all gators have access to resources, services, support and community so they can continue to thrive.
Care and Support by the Numbers
Students Need Support
Three in five U.S. college students have struggled with basic needs insecurity, such as lack of food or stable housing.
$600k Annually
We are proudly part of the CSU Rapid Rehousing Program, providing support and resources to stabilizing student housing.
Students
Have case manager support annually
Our Core Support Services
SFSU’s Care and Support Unit is a hub of resources ready to assist you. Here’s an overview of our key programs and what they offer.
Basic Needs Center
Provides support with food, housing and financial emergencies so you can reach your full potential. The Basic Needs Initiative offers programs like the student food pantry, emergency housing referrals and help accessing benefits (e.g. CalFresh). No Gator should study on an empty stomach or worry about where to sleep – the Basic Needs Center is here to help.
Case Management
Our professional case managers work one-on-one with SFSU students, providing compassionate guidance and follow-through from start to finish of whatever challenge they are navigating. If you’re overwhelmed or unsure where to turn, our case managers will help you identify the right offices or resources and develop a plan to resolve the issues you’re facing. Our team facilitates skill building to empower you to meet and overcome adversity and successfully navigate SFSU.
The SAFE Place
The SAFE Place is a confidential survivor advocacy and sexual violence prevention center for students. The SAFE Place offers free, trauma-informed support to survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking or harassment. Services include crisis counseling, help understanding reporting options and referrals for medical or mental health care. No matter what you’ve experienced, you will be heard, believed and supported in a safe and welcoming environment.
Ready to seek support or learn more? Use the buttons above to explore each service. You can also submit a Care and Support request if you’d like our team to reach out and help determine which resources fit your needs.
Assistance from Basic Need Center
I was working two jobs and still couldn’t make ends meet. When I lost one job unexpectedly, I didn’t know how I’d pay rent or eat. The Basic Needs Center team helped me sign up for emergency meal assistance and even connected me to the HOPE Fund for a small grant. I can’t express how relieved I felt – I was able to focus on my classes again instead of my empty pantry. I’m on track to graduate this year, thanks to the support I received during that tough time.
Additional Campus Resources
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Gator Health and Well-Being
Located in the Gator Student Health Center, we provide student health services including basic medical care, pharmacy, laboratory, and psychological care and health education programs that support overall wellness.
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Tutoring and Academic Support
SFSU champions your success through free tutoring at TASC. You’ll build confidence, strive for academic excellence and join a supportive community where every SFSU student can thrive.
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Undergraduate Advising Center
The Undergraduate Advising Center supports all SFSU undergrads with academic advising, including degree planning, class registration, major exploration and more — available in-person and virtually.
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Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) at SFSU is here to guide you through every step of the financial aid process—from applying for aid to accepting your award. We’re here to support you as you pursue your educational goals and build a bright future at SFSU.
How to Get Help: Accessing Care and Support
Reaching out for support at SFSU is simple, and we encourage you to do so sooner rather than later – you don’t have to wait until a situation becomes a crisis.
The Care and Support team encourages you to submit a Care and Support form if you need support or assistance with any of the following:
- a basic need concern related to food, housing, and/or financial crisis;
- difficulties navigating complex needs within the university environment and/or being successful as a students;
- wanting advisement or referrals to campus resources;
- wanting an advocate when navigating a situation on campus
Please complete this form and share, in as much detail as you are able, the situation you are experiencing. This form should take 10-15 minutes to complete. Once your request is submitted, you will be contacted by a staff member within 2-3 business days. This form is NOT monitored 24 hours a day and does NOT notify first responders. If this is an emergency, please call 9-1-1 or contact University Police at (415) 338-7200. Response times may vary or be delayed during break periods due to closures and staff development time, or during weeks with a high volume of requests. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
- The Basic Needs team and resources are located the Student Services Building (SSB 301). You’re welcome to stop by during business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) to speak with a staff member grab supplies (like free snacks, grocery items from the pantry or hygiene kits).
- The Case Management Team is located in the Gator Health Building on the 3rd floor. Appointments through the Care and Support Form guarantee time with a case manager.
- The Dean of Students Office is located in the Student Services Building (SSB 403) where you can find Associate and Assistant Deans to help you connect with Student Life at SFSU. You are warmly welcome to stop by during business hours or email the dean of students office at dos@sfsu.edu. No question or issue is too big or small.
- If you have an urgent crisis outside of regular hours, help is still available.
- If your experience an immediate emergency, call 911.
- If your emergency occurs after business hours, please contact:
National Suicide & Crisis Hotlines:
1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433
1-800-273-Talk or 1-800-273-8255
TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) - For issues related to sexual violence when our SAFE Place advocate is unavailable, our community partner SFWAR offers a 24/7 crisis line at (415) 647-7273.
- And remember, University Police (415-338-2222) are on duty 24/7 for any safety emergency or if you need immediate assistance on campus.
- In any true emergency (health or safety at risk), do not hesitate to call 911 or campus police. The Care and Support Unit will follow up after the immediate crisis to continue supporting you.
Our Care and Support Team
Behind these programs is a team of caring professionals who are passionately committed to student well-being. The Care and Support Unit is part of the Division of Student Life, led by the Dean of Students, and its daily operations are overseen by an Associate Dean who integrates basic needs, case management and crisis services under one umbrella. Our staff come from various backgrounds but share one goal: helping every student thrive. Here are some of the key people you might meet:
Dr. Mia Reisweber, Associate Dean of Students
Provides vision and oversight for all Care and Support services, including the Basic Needs Initiative, Case Management (ACT) and the HOPE Crisis Fund. She ensures that students in distress receive prompt support and that the university’s policies and partnerships continually adapt to meet students’ evolving needs.
Sara Flynn, Director of Basic Needs
Leads SFSU’s Basic Needs programs, addressing student hunger, housing insecurity and economic challenges. Sara’s team coordinates resources like the on-campus food pantry, emergency meal programs, housing referrals and financial literacy workshops. She works one-on-one with students to remove financial and logistical barriers so they can focus on their studies.
Nour Loren, MSW, Director of Case Management and The SAFE Place
Oversees survivor advocacy and sexual violence prevention programs. Nour is a confidential advocate who supports students who have experienced sexual violence, relationship abuse or stalking. Under her leadership, The SAFE Place provides crisis counseling, accompaniments (to medical appointments or hearings), support groups and educational workshops. She also trains the campus community on violence prevention and creates a safe, inclusive environment for all.
Kenya Sullivan, Well-Being Case Manager
Coordinates early intervention efforts for students of concern through the Action Care Team. Kenya works behind the scenes when a referral comes in about a student who is struggling – she gathers information, reaches out to the student to offer help and develops action plans in collaboration with academic advisors, counselors and others. Her focus is on reducing students’ distress and connecting them with the right support to get back on track.