Family & Career Supports – Because Life Doesn’t Stop During College
By Jacci Gilbert
Not every Chadron State College student is “just” a student. Many balance classes with jobs, parenting, or caregiving. Western Community Health Resources offers programs designed to support the whole person, because college doesn’t happen in a bubble.
Services include:
- Respite care for families with special needs
- Early Development Network (EDN) for children birth–3 with developmental delays
- Community Essentials Pantry for hygiene and cleaning supplies
- FAST (Families & Schools Together): Programs supporting kids entering kindergarten or middle school
- Supported Employment to help individuals with behavioral health diagnoses find and keep jobs
Parents and caregivers describe these supports as a lifeline:
💬 “We are very blessed to have this care.”
💬 “Glad to have this program to get a break.”
Why it matters for students: Education is about preparing for the future, but you shouldn’t have to put your present responsibilities on hold. WCHR helps you balance both.
📍 Programs vary; contact WCHR for details
📞 800-717-1231
💬 Campus dialogue question: How can we better support nontraditional students—those with kids, jobs, or caregiving roles—on our campus?