CARE Team


Concern

Assessment

Response

Evaluation

The CARE Team responds to reports about students whose behavior is raising concerns within the College community. The team’s responsibilities include gathering and sharing information, discussing concerns about a student within a setting or across multiple settings, and managing situations that encompass a variety of issues.

The CARE Team is committed to the following:

  • Responding to reports regarding students of concern who are in need of extra support
  • Assessing the most appropriate way to intervene and support a student
  • Addressing student behaviors that impact our community
  • Intervening so a student may achieve academic and personal success
  • Balancing the needs of an individual student with the needs of the community

How to Make a Referral

Submit an online CARE report or you may contact any member of the CARE Team.  Any member of the CARE Team who is made aware of a concern will notify the chair of the CARE Team, who will then bring reported concerns before the CARE Team.

When is it Appropriate to Make a Referral?

Students, faculty, staff, and any member of the College community who observe students whose behaviors may demonstrate distress affecting their overall well-being may report a student of concern to the CARE Team.

Students should be referred to the CARE Team if they show signs of distress that may affect their personal or academic well-being.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • student is increasingly isolated, unkempt, irritable or disconnected
  • student has bizarre or disjointed thoughts
  • academic and/or social performance declines
  • behavior reflects increased hopelessness or helplessness
  • shows significant and marked changes in behavior or mood
  • student has shared concerns over financial, food, housing, and/or transportation
  • student has shared medical concerns that may affect their ability to complete the semester successfully

If a student appears they are in immediate danger to themselves or others, please contact the Department of Public Safety immediately at (567) 661-7575.

What happens when a referral is made to the CARE Team?

  1. The CARE Team will review the information and assess whether or not the CARE Team response is appropriate.
  2. A CARE Team member will follow up with the reporting party if consultation is requested in the report.
  3. The reporting party will not receive additional information unless there is an educational need to know.
  4. CARE Team referrals can be made anonymously (by not putting in the reporting party name and contact information in the report). However, students will be notified that they have been reported through the CARE report if the CARE Team response is appropriate.
  5. The CARE Team meets when reports of student concern are made to determine the most appropriate response. The immediate goal is to attend to individual student and community well-being and safety. After that, the CARE Team will explore opportunities to support persistence and academic success.

CARE Team Members

Carrie Heller, Ed.D.
Dean, Student Life & Deputy Title IX Coordinator
carrie_heller@owens.edu

Dwayne Dotson
Representative, Department of Public Safety
dwayne_dotson@owens.edu

Jodi Gore
Instructor, Social Work and Human Services
jodi_gore@owens.edu

Vickie Heck
Director, Counseling Services
vickie_heck@owens.edu

Krista Kiessling
Director, Campus and Community Connections
krista_kiessling@owens.edu

Annette Staunton
Manager, Tutoring
annette_staunton@owens.edu

Jennifer Togrul
Manager, Student Life
jennifer_togrul@owens.edu