Crisis, Assessment, Response, and Education (CARE) Team

Our Community, Our responsibility.
Student Care is everybody's business.

RED FOLDER INITIATIVE

A GUIDE TO HELP FACULTY AND STAFF WORKING WITH A DISTRESSED STUDENT

CSU Cares | Clayton State University Student Care & Support Office: Edgewater Hall, Suite 255
Phone: (678) 466-5445 or (678) 466-5585
Email: CSUCares@clayton.edu
Social: @claytonstate_care
Recognize: Things That Make You Go "Hmm?"

PHYSICAL INDICATORS

Repeatedly appearing sick, excessively fatigued
Obvious change in mental state and/or apparent intoxication
Other behavior that does not seem to match the context/setting
Struggles with hygiene
Substance misuse/abuse
Changes in dress or appearance
Shakiness, pacing, or excessive fidgeting
Noticeable cuts or bruises

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

Direct comments about distress, feeling overwhelmed, family problems, etc.
Direct comments about financial strains, basic needs strains, housing insecurity
Signs/expressions of hopelessness, worthlessness or shame
Drastic change in interactions with others, acting out of character
Expressions of concern by peers
Implied or direct threats of harm to self/others
Self-injurious, destructive, or reckless behavior
Relationship issues

ACADEMIC INDICATORS

Repeated absences
Decline in quality of work or classroom performance
Seeking personal rather than professional/academic support or advice
Conduct that interferes with classroom, group work, or activity engagement
Essays or creative work that include disturbing content and/or themes of despair, hopelessness, suicide, violence, death, or aggression
Multiple requests for extensions or incomplete grades
Excessive fatigue or exhaustion; falling asleep in class

RESPOND

How to Help

SHARE YOUR CONCERNS.
Let them know that you've noticed a change and feel concerned. Ask them what's going on, and let them know you want to hear their story.

Be there to listen. They need you to be warm, compassionate, and fully present, even virtually. Listen patiently as you try to understand where they're coming from. Ask follow-up questions and open-ended questions that help you understand them, ensure they feel heard, and facilitate their openness. Set yourself up for success. Start this conversation where they will feel safe to be open and honest with you, in a space where you can ensure their privacy.
ASK, AVOID ASSUMPTIONS.
Ask what they need. The kind of support a student needs will change based on their context, and the only way to know is to ask. Be direct. If you are worried about suicide, ask explicitly. Saying the words "suicide" or "killing yourself" can help to broach this difficult topic.
SUPPORT.
Help them connect to resources. Once you have a better idea of what they need, help them to connect with resources.

Understand that due to privacy regulations, it may not be possible for campus resources to provide you with additional information following a referral.

WHAT YOU CAN SAY

This is not a script, but rather examples of what you might say in a conversation with a student. It is important that you use language that feels natural to you and fits the context of your interaction with the student.

SAY WHAT YOU SEE

"Hi __________, I just wanted to check in. I've noticed ________, and wanted to see if you want to talk about it."
"I've noticed _______ and I want you to know that I am here to support you."
"You seem distracted today. What's going on?"
"Hey, it seems like you're having a hard time. I am here to support you if you want to talk about it."

SHOW YOU CARE

"I care about your well-being, so I just wanted to check in to see how you're doing. I want to know how I can be the most helpful for you."
"Thanks for taking some time to talk with me. I wanted to have this conversation because I care about how you're doing and want you to know that I'm here to support you in the ways you need."
"How can I be helpful?"

HEAR THEM OUT

"Wow, I'd like to hear more about that."
"I'm sorry, that seems like a difficult situation to be in, what is that like for you?"
"That sounds really hard, how is that affecting your life?"

CONNECT TO HELP

"Thank you for being so open with me. I want to continue this conversation, and I also want to make sure that you're getting the help you need. I really think you may find ________ to be a helpful and comforting resource."
"Reaching out to _________ for the first time can be a little confusing. Would you like help connecting to _________?"
"I really think __________ can address some of your needs, but sometimes it takes several tries to find a place that is the best fit. If for any reason it doesn't feel like a match, then feel free to ask what other resources may be a better fit for your needs."

Tip: Offering the name of someone from the resource can help the student to feel more comfortable when they reach out.

REFER

YES

The student's conduct is clearly and imminently reckless, dangerous, or threatening - including danger to self or others.

Call 911 or Public Safety: (678) 466-4050
*After speaking with the police report the concern by submitting a Student Care Report

NOT SURE

Indicators of distress are observed but severity is unclear. The interactions have left you feeling uneasy or concerned about the student.

Submit a Student Care Report

Connect students with Health & Wellness Center (678) 466-4940

I am not concerned for the student's immediate safely, but the individual is having significant academic and/or personal issues and could use some support.

Submit a Student Care Report

NUMBERS TO KNOW
Public Safety

(678) 466-4050

Student Care & Support

(678) 466-5585

Student Affairs

(678) 466-5444

Health & Wellness Center

(678) 466-4940

Disability Services

(678) 466-5445

Laker Life

(678) 466-5433

Residence Life

(678) 466-5444

Center for Academic Success

(678) 466-4070

Center for Advising & Retention

(678) 466-5598

Financial Aid

(678) 466-4185

Library

(678) 466-4325

Bursar

(678) 466-4295

Laker Card Office

(678) 466-4215

Admissions

(678) 466-4115

Study Abroad

(678) 466-4092

Student Conduct

(678) 466-5444

Career & Professional Development

(678) 466-5400

Community, Belonging, & Veterans Center

(678) 466-5527

Title IX

(877) 251-2644

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
If a student is showing aggressive behavior to you or another student, Public Safety can act as your first contact to diffuse a situation and prevent it from escalating.
Contact Public Safety at (678) 466-4050

RESOURCES

Health & Wellness Center
Provides students with high-quality medical and behavioral/mental health care delivered by Atrium Health. Counseling and health services are free for Clayton State students with in-person and virtual options.

Dean of Students
The Office of the Dean of Students supports student success by addressing academic, personal, and behavioral concerns. It oversee's student disciplinary matters, promotes care & well-being, and fosters a positive campus environment.
Phone: (678) 466-5444

Care Team
A centralized body of university representatives, the Care Team is committed to enhancing the student experience through proactive, collaborative and thoughtful approach to the identification, assessment, and early intervention of troublesome or concerning behaviors that impact the Clayton State community.

Student Care & Support
Provides students experiencing personal challenges as a result of personal hardships (basic needs insecurities such as food, homelessness, financial struggles, academic concerns, belonging student emergency assistance, and case management services. Physical location includes the Laker Care Pantry, Care Center, and Loch Swap Shop (thrift store).

Phone: (678) 466-5444

RESOURCES & REFERRALS

Office of Community Standards
The Office of Community Standards supports the academic mission by promoting a safe, respectful, and ethical University environment through set behavior standards which are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
Report conduct violations, academic integrity, incident reports.

Website: Community Standards

Housing and Food Insecurity
Student Care & Support oversees the Laker Care & Share program which includes services supporting students experiencing homelessness and food insecurity by providing food resources through the Meal Share Program, Laker Care Pantry and Laker Grab n' Go's. The office serves as custodians for the Elaine Manglitz Student Emergency Fund.

Laker Care Pantry

Student Emergency Fund Application

Meal Share Program

Office of Equal Opportunity

Military & Veteran Student Support

The Community, Belonging, & Veterans Center at Clayton State University is dedicated to offering a supportive space where veterans and active-duty members can connect, share experiences, and access resources. The CBV Center serves as a central hub for information about campus and community services, providing essential support for military members and their families throughout their college journey.

Phone: (678) 466-5527

Website: Community, Belonging and Veterans

Disability Services
Provides accommodations and support to students with disabilities to ensure equal access to academic programs and campus resources. It works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to create an inclusive learning environment tailored to individual needs.

Phone: (678) 466-4070

Website: Disability Services

Center for Academic Success
In a comfortable study environment, the Center for Academic Success provides tutoring and mentoring programs, academic coaching and workshops, and tips and resources to promote student success.

Phone: (678) 466-4070

Website: Center for Academic Success

The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law enacted in 1974, is a law that protects the privacy of student education records.

FERPA affords students the right to inspect and review their education records, request the amendment of their records (if proven inaccurate or misleading), limit disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their education record, and file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures of the institution to comply with the law. For more information contact the

Office of the Registrar

Phone: (678) 466-4145

Website: Office of the Registrar

Clayton State CARES!!!

Division of Student Affairs Website

OUR COMMUNITY. OUR RESPONSIBILITY

STUDENT CARE IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS

Student Care Referral

Purpose

The CARE Team is a centralized body of university representatives committed to enhancing the student experience through a proactive, collaborative, and thoughtful approach to the identification, assessment, and early intervention of troublesome or concerning behaviors that impact the Clayton State University community.

Referrals can be submitted to the Online Care and Concern Report form.

Behaviors Addressed by the CARE Team

Faculty and staff members are encouraged to contact CARE through the online care and concern reporting system, email, or by contacting a member of the CARE team to report concerning behaviors.

Behaviors that warrant a report to the committee include, but are not limited to:

Behavior that appears to be dangerous or threatening to oneself or others
Behavior that demonstrates a student’s inability to care for self
Unusual or strange behavior that is outside the realm of what most people would consider acceptable behavior
Inappropriate behavior that substantially interferes with or impedes the educational experiences of others
Unusually angry, hostile, or abusive behavior, especially if the behavior is uncharacteristic of the student’s normal behavior
Concerns due to significant and sudden changes in academic performance, behavior, and/or attendance
Any other student behavior that is concerning or distressing

Reporting Procedures

Any University faculty or staff with a concern about a student can access online reporting form or reach out to the team through any of the regular team members. Team members then immediately report to the chair, who triages the requests and determines the appropriateness and priority of the situation, with the assistance of any of the other team members, and convenes a meeting if necessary. The CARE team meets at minimum every other week throughout the academic year.

When the CARE team convenes, the chair and other members as needed present the information to the team for review. Discussion focuses on meeting both the identified student’s educational and personal needs, and the safety needs of the campus community. The team also addresses situations that relate to a student’s imminent danger to self, others, or the University. The CARE team makes recommendations regarding the behavior and communicates the disposition of each case to members of the CSU community, including the reporting party, as appropriate.

Potential Outcomes

The following are potential recommendations for disposition:

No action taken
Assist faculty or staff in developing plan of action
Referral to existing campus support resources
Referral to appropriate community resources
Recommendation of parental notification
Recommendation of a voluntary withdrawal
Recommendation of an involuntary health withdrawal
Referral to Office of Community Standards
Referral to Counseling and Psychological Services for an assessment

CARE Representatives

Representative	Name	Role
Dean of Students	Dr. Mya Richardson-Echols	Chair
Assistant Dean of Students	Ms. Sarah Ray	Co-Chair
Director of Advising and Retention	Ms. Latrika Staples
Atrium Health and Wellness Behavioral Health Program Coordinator	Ms. Shirley Chambers
Director of Public Safety	Chief John Keener
Faculty Member (Faculty Senate Student Affairs Committee Chair)	Dr. Nichelle Gause
Vice President for Student Affairs (ex-officio)	Jeff Jacobs