USI’s CARE Team is a cross-functional assessment group, chaired by the Dean of Students, that responds to students in apparent/potential distress. C.A.R.E. stands for Campus Action Response and Engagement (CARE) of students in distress. The CARE team works collaboratively to provide confidential, respectful, and proactive support while offering resources and balancing the educational needs of students within the overall mission of the University.
Goals of the CARE Team
- Review information received from faculty, staff, students, and/or community members; conduct follow-up to determine an appropriate response.
- Intervene early. Provide support and response to students displaying varying levels of disruptive, disturbed, or distressed behaviors.
- Serve as a central resource and information gathering source.
- Coordinate follow-up. Ensure that services, support, and resources are deployed effectively.
- Utilize a formalized protocol of instructions for communication, coordination, and intervention.
- Serve as a bridge between student privacy laws, and the University’s need for information in order to provide a healthy environment for all students.
- Coordinate University follow-up and on-going support for students experiencing mental health and medical challenges, going through conduct processes, needing disability resources, and needing assistance navigating University processes and policies.