Campus Assessment, Response and Evaluation (CARE)
The CARE team is here to help students of concern. If you believe the issue you've observed is an emergency, do not refer it to CARE. Please see our emergency procedures for more information.
What is CARE?
The CARE team exists to help faculty and staff with students who are emotionally distressed or demonstrating behaviors that are currently or potentially harmful to self or others. We refer to these students as students of concern.
Although you should refer any student you believe falls into the description, these behaviors mainly encompass a student whose personal welfare is in jeopardy due to problems such as:
- homelessness,
- hunger,
- domestic violence,
- substance abuse,
- financial hardship,
- presence of mental health problems (depression, anxiety, PTSD).
- threat of suicide or other harmful acts to self
or others**
**Call campus police and notify your dean/manager immediately.
These issues may be identified through, but are not limited to, the following behaviors:
- unusual or erratic behavior in class,
- extended absence from class or activities by a typically engaged student,
- written work or creative expression with troubling themes or references,
- written or verbal expressions of suicidal thoughts or intent.
Review our behavioral assessment and intervention chart.
Complete a Student of Concern Referral
What should NOT be referred to CARE
The above links will direct you to the process of referring for those categories.
CARE is an internal support system, meaning, it is important to keep anything you refer confidential and internal. The CARE team will evaluate the issue and assess if the student in question should be contacted.
The CARE team has prepared an Employee CARE Handbook to assist with supporting the emotionally distressed student. Please go to the Sharepoint team site and log in to access the handbook. For quick information on the CARE team, a CARE overview handout is also available.
If you have questions, please review the CARE FAQ's before contacting the CARE team.
CARE referrals and follow up
If you have recognized a student of concern on campus, you may submit the Student of Concern Referral Form. Please note you will need your InSite login information. The CARE team will treat each submission on a case-by-case basis. The team meets once a week to review current student of concern referrals and will make recommendations for follow up.
For technical assistance on completing the online form, please contact Carrie Sadighian, by email at csadighian@dvc.edu or by calling 925-969-2114.
Upon submission of your referral, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt from dvc-advocate@advocate.symplicity.com.
Once your referral form has been reviewed, you may be contacted by a CARE team member for more information if needed. The CARE team will evaluate the situation and consult with others as appropriate to determine what further steps are required.
Who is on the CARE team?
The CARE team is comprised of Student Service deans, DVC Counseling Department representatives, Police Services representatives, San Ramon Campus representatives when applicable, and other representatives as needed.
When needed, the CARE team may consult with the Counseling Department, Athletics Department, International Student Admissions and Services, Disability Support Services, Financial Aid, Instructional Deans, Supported Education Services (Contra Costa County), Wright Institute Clinical Supervisor(s), Police Services, the Vice President of Student Services, and the Vice President of Instruction.
Why does the CARE team exist?
After seeing the many tragedies across high school, college, and university campuses, DVC has developed a thoughtful, well-coordinated plan for identifying, assisting, and keeping track of students on campus that have been identified as students of concern. Many colleges across the country have implemented similar teams.