Student Support at ICSW
At ICSW, we are here to help. Student support services are available to all students as you progress through your academic program. We are ready and able to help you connect with resources and services, to address concerns, to navigate challenges, and to provide support and guidance during your time as a student.
The right to inspect and review education records
The right to seek to have the records amended
The right to have some control over the disclosure of information from the records
The fight to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Institute to comply with the requirements of FERPA
DISABILITY SERVICES / ACCOMMODATIONS
With a commitment to a universally accessible educational community, and in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Institute for Clinical Social Work is committed to working with students with disabilities so that they may have equal access to programs, activities, and services. Because ICSW believes academically qualified individuals with disabilities should have equal opportunity and access to a quality education, we have been actively involved in fostering an environment that encourages full participation by students with disabilities in every segment of the institution.
ICSW coordinates and provides a variety of services based the student’s individual needs. Examples of some of these services include the following:
Academic accommodations
Faculty consultation
A variety of reasonable accommodations
Contact with agencies servicing people with disabilities
Special testing arrangements: extended time, reader or separate room
Special classroom seating
Assistance with obtaining alternate format or large print textbooks and Braille materials for the visually impaired
Information and referral
Disabilities Coordinator:
Karen Bloomberg, Dean of Students, serves as Disabilities Coordinator for students. Students wishing to discuss supports available, including requesting reasonable accommodations as per ADA, are encouraged to contact Karen at kbloomberg@icsw.edu.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
Under P.A. 102-0083, each higher education institution offering degrees and instruction beyond the secondary school level in Illinois must have designated a HOUSE liaison to coordinate services to homeless students by August 1, 2022. The HOUSE liaison at ICSW is Andrea Lucius, Registrar & Director of Academic Services (alucius@icsw.edu). If you are a student in need of housing or another community member concerned that a student may not have secure housing, please contact Andrea for assistance.
Experiencing homelessness, including lacking access to required documents for enrollment due to homelessness, does not prohibit a prospective student from enrolling at ICSW. The HOUSE liaison will work with you to develop a plan to access off-campus housing both during the academic year and between academic breaks; ICSW does not have on-campus housing to offer. The HOUSE liaison is also available to connect students with support in completing the FAFSA for federal financial aid.
Local Housing Resources:
City of Chicago Family & Support Services - https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/emerg.html
Shelter Access - The City of Chicago uses a Coordinated Entry System for access to shelter services ; call 311 for assistance or contact Andrea to assist you in making this call. You can also visit a Family and Support Services Community Service Center to request assistance. The following locations are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.:
Englewood Community Service Center
1140 West 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620
312-747-0200
Garfield Community Service Center
10 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612
312-746-5400
Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center
4314 South Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60653
312-747-2300
North Area Community Service Center
845 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640
312-744-2580
South Chicago Community Service Center
8650 South Commercial Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617
312-747-0331
Trina Davila Community Service Center
4312 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60639
312-744-2014
The above locations can also assist with other supportive services including:
Clothing and referrals to local food pantries
Public benefits eligibility assessments, referrals and application assistance
Regional Transportation Authority Ride Free Program assistance
Substance abuse treatment referrals
Veteran services and resources
Workforce development referrals
Mental Health Resources:
Start Your Recovery - Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers Search
Support Staff
Students’ Advisors
A faculty advisor is assigned to all students at the point of matriculation. For PhD students, this is a Faculty Advisor. This person will serve as the central academic advisor for each doctoral student and is available to the student throughout the program up until the point at which the student has an approved dissertation Chair. Among other responsibilities, the Faculty Advisor is a student’s primary point of contact for academic, practicum, research,class or progression concerns. For MA students, the primary advisor in the Interim Associate Director of Academic Affairs, Esther Warren. Esther is ordinarily the first person to contact with any questions, concerns, and problems related to the MA program.
Dean of Students
Karen Bloomberg, PhD, is a faculty member and Dean of Students at ICSW. As Dean of Students, Karen is a primary contact, advocate and support for all students during their time in ICSW’s programs. Karen serves as Disabilities Coordinator for students in the PhD program and facilitates Preceptorial for first-year PhD students. Karen can be contacted at kbloomberg@icsw.edu.
Director of Student and Academic Affairs
Andrea Lucius, MSW, is Registrar & Director of Academic Services at ICSW. Andrea has much experience providing support services to students in higher education settings who may be navigating challenges outside of the classroom impacting their student experience. Andrea can be contacted at alucius@icsw.edu or (773) 943-6504.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Local Medical Resources
Michigan Avenue Immediate Care
180 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1605
https://www.michiganavenueimmediatecare.org/
(312) 201-1234
Rush Hospital Emergency Room
1653 W. Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 947-0100
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
WRITING SUPPORT
ICSW has made arrangements with Writing Coach Millie Rey to provide writing assistance to students at a reduced cost through the Marcia V. Adler Memorial Fund. To be connected with Millie, contact Dean of Students Karen Bloomberg at kbloomberg@icsw.edu.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
If you have questions or concerns about your student account, or if you are having difficulty affording tuition or making payments, contact Michael Bauman, Vice President of Finance and Operations, at mbauman@icsw.edu or (773) 943-6503. We are here to help!
TRAVEL RESOURCES
Hotel Discount
ICSW has partnered Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop to offer discounted rates to ICSW students and faculty at 15% off. To get this rate, you must book your stay directly through the below link: http://www.cambriasuites.com/ires/en-US/html/ArrivalInfo?hotel=IL514&srp=LCOR15&pu=no
LEAVES OF ABSENCE
A student may request a temporary leave of absence from an ICSW when circumstances prohibit their continued enrollment. Students requesting a leave of absence should submit a request with the LOA request form. For more information on leaves of absence, please see the Student Handbook.
CONCERNED ABOUT A STUDENT?
If you are concerned about a student, please contact Karen Bloomberg at kbloomberg@icsw.edu for assistance. Faculty, other students, and all other community members are encouraged to contact with staff who are able to provide necessary assistance to students should concerns arise.