IBX Grant

About the Grant

In 2020, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation and the Association of Recovery in Higher Education partnered to expand CRPs in Southeast Pennsylvania. Through 2022, the Foundation has committed $1 million in supporting the establishment and expansion of collegiate recovery programs in the Southeast Pennsylvania region. Over half of that funding has gone directly to schools in the region, resulting in the establishment or expansion of recovery support services at 14 institutions of higher education (as of December 2022). As a result of this investment in their community, Pennsylvania is now the fastest growing state for collegiate recovery programs in the US.

Eligible schools may apply for up to $50,000 for the first year of the grant with the opportunity to apply for a second year at up to $25,000 with matching funds from the institution.

ARHE provides direct technical assistance (TA) to each of the institutions from start to finish, including assistance with the grant application. Each school is assigned a team of knowledgeable and seasoned CRP Staff who have experience with building a CRP. That team works directly with the staff and students at the grantee institutions to both assist with the grant application process and to assist with implementation of the grant objectives. This direct technical assistance aims to help these programs create sustainable communities on their campuses.

Grantee Schools

• • Joseph’s University – Hawk Hill Campus
  • Temple University
  • Thomas Jefferson University
  • Joseph’s University – University Campus
  • Cabrini University
  • Montgomery County Community College
  • Villanova University
  • Holy Family University
  • Eastern University
  • Bryn Mawr College
  • Drexel University
  • Neumann University
  • Ursinus College
  • Bucks County Community College

About The Independence Blue Cross Foundation

https://www.ibxfoundation.org/

The Independence Blue Cross Foundation is focused on improving access to primary care and behavioral health in underserved areas and populations, increasing educational opportunities for health professions, addressing the stigma of addiction, and creating more inclusive treatment and recovery environments for individuals with substance use disorder. By the end of 2022, the Foundation will have awarded nearly $70 million in funding to impact the health of communities in southeastern PA.

Getting Started Guide

Part of this partnership led to a new best practices guide, Getting Started: What You Need to Know About Building a Collegiate Recovery Program. The guide is intended to help higher education professionals to get started on the planning process for building a CRP. Since every campus has its own unique culture, this document is not intended to be a step-by-step how-to guide, but rather it is something every school can adapt in its own way in order to meet the needs of students in recovery on that campus.

Application Process

The grant is limited to Institutions of Higher Education in the following Pennsylvania Counties:

• • Bucks County
  • Chester County
  • Delaware County
  • Montgomery County
  • Philadelphia County

Specific eligibility requirements may be found here.

If your institution meets the eligibility requirements and you are interested in being part of this grant, please reach out to Kristina Canfield at [email protected].

Once you express interest in the grant, you will meet with the ARHE Team in order to discuss the grant and to answer any questions you may have.

Once you are ready to move forward, ARHE will work with you to complete the Collegiate Recovery Readiness Assessment, a tool developed specifically for this grant that will help you understand potential next steps to starting a CRP on your campus. The personalized analysis developed from your responses will also help guide your application process.

You will be assigned a TA Team that will work directly with you throughout the process. They will review the results from the Readiness Assessment and then assist you with completing the grant application.

Once the funds are dispersed, your TA Team will be with you every step of the way!

Reach out to Kristina Canfield at [email protected] to learn more about future application deadlines.