CARES Team
The CARES Team responds to non-immediate concerns about students. We take a proactive approach to discuss potential issues, intervene early, and provide support and behavioral response to students displaying varying levels of disruptive, disturbed, and/or distressed behaviors before they rise to the level of a crisis.
What is the CARES Team?
Any college-related conduct or behavior that prevents any student from attaining his or her educational goals is a concern to members of the college community and potential violation of the Student Code of Conduct. This conduct may be referred to the CARES Team for investigation and possible assistance, referral, or disciplinary action.
The CARES Team has been charged with upholding policies and maintaining a healthy and safe environment for the college community. The CARES Team is not meant to take the place of standard classroom management techniques utilized by faculty. Implementation of this team does not alter any existing discipline policies. Rather, the CARES Team centralizes the reporting of concerning student behavior and encourages early intervention.
Goals of the the CARES Team are as follows:
- Review information from faculty, staff, students, and/or community members; conduct investigation to determine appropriate response.
- Intervene early. Provide support and response to students displaying varying levels of disruptive, disturbed, or distressed behaviors.
- Centralize collection and assessment of concerning student behaviors. ‘Connect the dots’ of disparate problematic actions involving one student that may be known to various faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Coordinate follow-up. Ensure that services, support, and resources are deployed effectively.
- Utilize a formalized protocol of instructions for communication, coordination, and intervention.
- Balance FERPA, HIPAA, and counselor privilege with the colleges need-to-know and emergency communication needs.
- Coordinate actions: psychological assessment, adjudication of conduct issues, disability services, hospitalization, and/or medical leave/withdrawal, as needed.
What to Report to the CARES Team:
- In general, any behavior that disrupts the mission or learning environment of the college or causes concern for a student’s well-being:
- Concerns about a student’s well-being
- Distressed or disturbed behavior
- Extended absence from class or activities
- Written work or creative expression with troubling themes or references
- Written or creative expression of suicidal thoughts or intent
- Anything that makes you feel uncomfortable; something doesn’t seem right
- In general, any behavior that disrupts the mission or learning environment of the college or causes concern for a student’s well-being:
What NOT to Report to the CARES Team:
- Classroom or campus disruptive behavior
- Academic integrity violations
- Emergencies
Report and Follow-Up:
- Email Interim Director of Student Activities and Campus Life, Natalie Rodriguez at nrodriguez@peralta.edu
- Complete the Report of Concern.
The CARES Team Processes include:
- Receive information about students of concern and discuss concerning behaviors
- Maintain confidentiality and handle all matters discreetly
- Provide consultation, support, response to faculty and staff
- Intervene and connect students with resources; take other necessary measures to address concerns
- Coordinate follow-up.
- Ensure that services and resources are deployed effectively
Potential Outcomes of the CARES Team may:
- Assist faculty or staff in developing a plan of action
- Refer student to existing on-campus support resources
- Refer student to appropriate community resources
- Recommend no action, pending further observation/monitoring
- Make recommendations consistent with college policies and procedures
Who is on the CARES Team?
The CARES Team is comprised of Student Service deans and Directors, Mental Health representatives, Student Accessibility Services (formerly DSPS) representatives, Counseling Department representatives, and other representatives as needed.
When needed, the CARES Team may consult with the Counseling Department, Athletics Department, International Student Admissions and Services, Disability Support Services, Financial Aid, Instructional Deans, the Vice President of Student Services, and the Vice President of Instruction.
The ethics of the CARES Team are to provide confidential, respectful, proactive support, while offering resources and balancing the educational needs of students within the overall mission of College of Alameda.