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Center for Essential Needs

Case Management

Case management is a student-centered service that helps Fresno State students navigate challenges that may impact their academic, personal, or emotional well-being. Whether you’re facing a financial crisis, housing instability, family conflict, or difficulty accessing campus or community resources you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Our case managers listen, assess, and help you to create a plan that supports your goals. You can expect empathy, honesty, and follow through without judgment.

What to Expect Before, During and After a Case Management Appointment

You can schedule a case management appointment in the format that works best for you:

  • In-person at the Center for Essential Needs.
  • Remote via Zoom.
  • Phone call.

Appointments are scheduled based on your availability and urgency of your situation. Most appointments are scheduled for 1 hour. 

We encourage you to think about the reason you're seeking support. Common topics students come in for include:

  • Financial hardship or unexpected expenses.
  • Housing instability, eviction risk, or homelessnes.s
  • Family or relationship conflicts.
  • Mental health needs or transition to community providers.
  • Academic concerns, such as SAP appeals.
  • Disability-related support, including ADHD/learning assessments.
  • Legal aid, food insecurity, or help navigating public benefits (like CalFresh).

You will be asked to complete a short assistance form and a pre-survey.

You may need to have some documents (such as financial aid awards or lease notices) available. 

During your first session, your case manager may:

  • Ask about personal history, academics, financial situation, mental health, and more.
  • Identify your most urgent and ongoing needs.
  • Create a shared plan of action with referrals and next steps tailored to you

This is a conversation not an interview. You are welcome to share at your own pace. 

All information is confidential and only shared with your written permission, unless safety concerns require otherwise.

Your case manager may connect you to:

  • Campus departments (like Financial Aid, Counseling Services, or Services for Students with Disabilities). 
  • Community resources in multiple counties for:
    • Housing.
    • Health and mental health care.
    • Employment.
    • Financial assistance programs.
  • Specialized services for undocumented students, parenting students, and others.

Follow-up appointments are scheduled as needed to check progress, offer new referrals, or reassess needs.

Our Case Managers

Our case managers are experienced professionals with backgrounds in social work, mental health, education and a variety of community organizations. 

We are:
  • Culturally responsive and trauma-informed.
  • Connected across campus and the wider community.
  • Committed to self-determination, we do not make decisions for you. 

Housing Navigator Services

Students experiencing housing insecurity can also meet with our housing navigator, who provides focused support to:
  • Help you find housing that is right for you and your budget.
  • Assess housing readiness and create a stability plan.
  • Help gather necessary documents (ID, income verification, etc.).
  • Assist with budgeting and savings.
  • Connect you to housing programs, emergency shelters, and rental assistance.
  • Communicate with landlords or agencies on your behalf when needed.

Case Management is free and available to:

  • All currently enrolled Fresno State students.
  • Recent graduates in the process of connecting to community support.
  • Incoming students seeking general information (note: services begin once enrolled).

Because your success at Fresno State matters. Students meet with case managers when they:

  • Feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start.
  • Need help connecting to food, housing, or financial aid.
  • Want support navigating personal or family struggles.
  • Are seeking clarity and advocacy, not just information.

Case managers may not have all the answers but they help you ask the right questions, connect to resources and move forward.

  • We see you as a whole person, not a problem to fix.
  • What you share stays private.
  • We know systemic barriers exist, and we’re here to help you navigate them.
  • Your voice matters. Our solutions come from shared wisdom.

Scheduling and Contact Information

Visit us: Center for Essential Needs at Fresno State, Family Food Science Building Room 110

Call: 559.278.6740

Email: centerforessentialneeds@csufresno.edu