H.O.W.L. Service Center Celebrates Grand Opening
Ribbon cutting for H.O.W.L. Service Center
JONESBORO – A new public outreach initiative at Arkansas State University, the H.O.W.L. Service Center, opened its doors Thursday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, as university faculty and staff welcomed community visitors for a first look.
The center derives its name from the theme, Helping Our Wolves Learn. The College of Education and Behavioral Science is home of the center, which involves the school psychology program, in partnership with the mental health counseling and special education programs.
Dr. Kristin Johnson, assistant professor of psychology, said the center is being established to provide quality services to the community while providing training opportunities to A-State students in mental health counseling, school psychology and special education.
She recognized those serving on the board for the H.O.W.L. Center, Dr. Kimberley Davis, Dr. Meagan Medley, Dr. Lacy Overley and Dr. Asher Pimpleton-Gray, as well as other faculty and supervisors who will be working collaboratively in the center, Dr. Blake Sandusky, Dr. John Hall and Stephanie Gotay.
"The board members and these faculty are the ones who are going to be giving, day in and day out, for our students to have state-of-the-art learning opportunities and spectacular services to the community," she told those gathered for the opening.
The range of outpatient services to be provided for children, adolescents and adults include individual therapy, family, marital or couples therapy, play therapy, behavioral therapy for children, behavioral parent training, social skills training, academic interventions and consultation.
"The H.O.W.L. Service Center provides critical training to our students to enhance their development by providing services and research to the college, our greater community, and our affiliated professional organizations," Johnson added.
This fall, the center will offer academic services only; in spring 2019, services will expand to include individual counseling, group counseling and marital or couples counseling.
The center, in Room 133 of the College of Education and Behavioral Science, will see children age 3-18 in the community or children of A-State employees, or adults in the community who are not current employees. The university's Counseling Center will continue to provide services for A-State students.
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