CARE: Campus Assessment, Response, and Education

The CARE Team’s mission is to provide a safe and supportive physical and emotional environment for members of the college community by identifying, assessing, and responding to student behavioral, emotional and/or psychological challenges that are disruptive academically, or who present a risk to the health or safety of themselves, the college, or its members.

CARE provides a centralized structure for the campus community to report academic, behavioral, emotional, physical, or safety concerns. The team reviews reports on a weekly basis to determine the level of risk or concern, and then develops an action plan of support and intervention.

The goals of the team are to:

• Respond: Identify, assess, and intervene with individuals who are struggling or who demonstrate concerning or threatening behavior. Provide support and resources to community members who are concerned for another individual.
• Educate: Inform the campus of proactive, best practices for supporting and promoting holistic student wellbeing. Implement prevention and intervention strategies in response to identified trends related to health, wellness, and safety.

Who participates on CARE?

The team consists of trained college personnel with expertise in academic affairs, student affairs, mental health and trauma, sexual and interpersonal violence, student conduct, and law enforcement/campus safety. Team members are responsible for completing ongoing training, attending weekly meetings, and assisting with follow-up and intervention as designated. CARE members include:

• Interim Dean, Student Wellness & Support Services, Carol Calandra, Chair
• Interim Dean, College Life & Readiness, Dr. Ricardo Castillo, Co-Chair
• Chief of Police and College Safety, Steven Matchan
• Supervisor, Police and College Safety, Tyler Robins
• Psychologist, Mental Health & Wellness, Dr. Andrea Bailey
• Dean of Academic Affairs, Stephanie Fleming
• Dean of Mathematics, Carrie Starbird

What happens after a CARE report is submitted?

After receiving a report, the team will:

1. A member of CARE will contact the referring party to gather additional information
2. CARE will meet as a team to review and assess the information available to analyze student need and level of risk. Based on the determined level of risk, CARE will determine one or more interventions, including immediate and ongoing strategies.
3. A CARE member will extend services to and/or meet with the student to discuss presenting issues and available resources.
4. CARE member will follow up and provide case management to the student, as needed.
5. Outcome is communicated with referring party

Note: Outreach is extended to students out of an abundance of care for a student’s well-being as well as the safety and well-being of the campus community as a whole. Students are not required to meet with CARE staff and CARE meetings with students are not punitive. However, CARE may make a referral to Student Conduct or Title IX for behavioral intervention and potential disciplinary action.