CARE Team

Crisis
Assessment
Response
Evaluation

The CARE Team responds to reports about students experiencing difficulties or whose behavior is raising concerns within the University community. The team's responsibilities include gathering and sharing information, discerning concerns about a student within a setting or across multiple settings, and managing situations that encompass a variety of issues. The committee is charged to devise a coordinated plan for assessment, intervention, and management of the concerns for the students well-being and that of the University community. Students who are deemed a threat to UC will be referred for further review by the Threat Assessment Group.

The CARE Team is chaired by the Associate Dean of Students and composed of representatives from Academic Excellence & Support Services, Accessibility Resources, the University of Cincinnati Police Department, Student Conduct & Community Standards, University Ombuds, Resident Education & Development, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), and a faculty representative per recommendation from Faculty Senate. Representatives from CAPS and the University Ombuds will serve as permanent consultants. Representatives from the branch campuses will be asked to join the CARE Team meeting when discussing branch campus students. The CARE Team seeks legal advice from the Office of General Counsel as needed. The CARE Team shall meet monthly for general meetings in addition to ad hoc meetings when there is a report of a specific concern for discussion.

Students, faculty, staff, and any member of the university community who interacts with students are in active positions to observe students whose behaviors may demonstrate distress affecting their overall well-being. Students should be referred if they show signs of potential threat of harm to self or others, or if they show signs of academic distress, emotional distress, or homelessness. Students should be referred as soon as these signs are recognized. 

Any member of the University community may contact the Associate Dean of Students or any committee member to express a concern. Any member of the committee already aware of a situation causing concern may request the Chair to convene the committee. The Chair will bring all reported concerns before the committee.

Faculty, staff or students concerned about the behavior of a student may report the behavior via an online confidential form that will be sent to the committee. The report requires a detailed account of why the person is concerned with specific examples of troubling behavior. Additionally, information is requested about whether the reporter has attempted to engage the student before reporting the concern. The person submitting the form will receive confirmation from the CARE Team acknowledging receipt of the report and seek additional information if needed.

*If this is an emergency then you should dial 911.

• The student referred will be assigned a Case Manager, who will contact the student and schedule an initial meeting with the student.
• The Case Manager will discuss possible solutions with the student to determine what is the best course of action. Evaluation of action will be done on a student-by-student basis and may be ongoing.
• A coordinated action strategy for students may include:
  
  • Referrals to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
    
  • Voluntary withdrawal from classes
    
  • Referral to disciplinary process
    
  • Interim measure such as interim suspension
    
  • Parental involvement
    
• The Case Manager, where appropriate, will update the person submitting the report and provide guidance on the plan of action to support the student.

• Maintain contact and meet with students to address needs; conduct follow-up communication and meetings
• Arrange for appropriate medical and mental health care
  
• Monitor compliance with treatment plans and/or university behavioral expectations
  
• Evaluate threat and assess safety to self and/or the community for appropriate referrals
  
• Foster self-advocacy in students to manage their academic, personal and fiscal responsibilities
  
• Advocate for students individually and systemically
  

*Modeled after Seattle University, UC Berkley, Illinois College, and University of Tampa

Revised 11/2017

If you would like additional information or a presentation regarding the CARE Team, feel free to contact the Associate Dean of Students, Daniel S. Cummins.

CARE Team Flowchart

Policy 4.1.1 Student-Related Critical Incidents Response Policy

Policy 4.1.2 Missing Residents in On-Campus Housing Facilities

Policy 4.1.3 Resources for Suicide Prevention

Policy 4.1.4 Mental Health Assessment*

Policy 4.1.5 Involuntary Withdrawal*

Policy 4.1.6 Medical Leave of Absence*

*To request the required forms for policies 4.1.4, 4.1.5, and 4.1.6, please contact the Dean of Students Office.