Brookdale Partners with NJ Council of County Colleges to Champion the COPE Program

Brookdale Community College recently hosted the Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE), for the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. This is a powerful training program that helps participants understand the realities of individuals navigating poverty. The initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Jacob C. Farbman, Ed.D., APR, Executive Director of Economic Mobility Initiatives for the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) and the Caroline Huber Holistic Wellness Center at Brookdale exemplifies Brookdale’s leadership in fostering a supportive and caring environment for students.

The COPE experience is part of NJCCC’s broader “Community to Opportunity: Building Community to Expand Opportunity” initiative, funded by The Tepper Foundation. This initiative connects all 18 of New Jersey’s community colleges in a professional learning community designed to strengthen campus cultures of care and address basic student needs such as mental health support, hunger relief, and financial aid. The COPE program is a cornerstone of these efforts.

Dr. Farbman, who has led multiple statewide projects to enhance student success and well-being, emphasized the importance of understanding students’ multifaceted challenges. “The COPE training provides an eye-opening experience for faculty and staff, helping them better understand the hurdles students encounter and empowering them to respond with compassion and actionable support,” he said.

Brookdale Community College played a key role in bringing COPE to New Jersey’s community colleges, using its leadership and resources to ensure the program’s success. Dr. Farbman, who completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Brookdale during its first year of Achieving the Dream implementation, credits the college for its forward-thinking approach.

Anita Voogt, Associate Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, was pivotal in this achievement. Reflecting on the program’s success, Dr. Farbman remarked:

“What Anita had envisioned came to fruition when we first brought it to Brookdale. She saw that Brookdale could obtain the license and become the hub to provide this program for others at the college, as well as community partners and institutions across the state.”

Participants in the COPE training gained a deeper understanding of the challenges facing students and left with some key takeaways, including:

• The importance of establishing emergency relief funds for unexpected financial burdens.
• Expanding access to essential resources, like laptops and food security programs.
• Destigmatizing mental health and basic needs discussions on campus.
• Developing mentoring programs to foster stronger connections between students and faculty or
staff.

“Recognizing the diversity of student challenges is critical,” said Dr. Farbman. “An emergency fund, for instance, can mean the difference between a student completing their semester or being forced to drop out.”

The program also underscores the importance of professional development for community college faculty and staff. Dr. Farbman emphasized, “The COPE training helps us all realize the power of leading with kindness and compassion, and empowering educators to make a difference in their daily interactions with students.”

Looking ahead, the NJCCC plans to expand COPE to more institutions, hoping to include four-year colleges, county agencies, and nonprofit organizations in future sessions. “Our students’ success is a collective responsibility,” said Dr. Farbman. “By broadening the reach of COPE, we can ensure that all educators and administrators have the tools to support students holistically. Brookdale is already paving the way, extending COPE to community partners across Monmouth County and demonstrating how collaboration can lead to scalable, impactful solutions.

For community college faculty, staff, and administrators who have yet to participate in COPE, Dr. Farbman offers a clear message: “Make the time. The training is a powerful professional development opportunity that opens eyes and ignites action. Together, we can ensure that all students have the support they need to thrive.”

Learn more about COPE and Brookdale’s leadership in holistic student support at the Caroline Huber Holistic Wellness Center.