If you are worried about a friend and want them to receive support, please fill out the Care Team Referral form. A member from the Care Team will review this information within 24 hours Monday – Friday and reach out to the student.
Please note: This is not an emergency contact form.
If you believe someone may pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of themselves or others, call Campus Safety immediately at 330-263-2590 or 9-911.
Please see more information about the Care Team, when to make a referral, and the process the Team takes to support students.
Care Team
The Care Team is Wooster’s behavioral support team that provides coordinated support for the entire campus community: students, faculty and staff. Care Team members are trained to offer a well-rounded, holistic support system for individuals experience a broad range of concerns, to intervene in disruptive behaviors before they pose a threat to the individual and/or college community, and to assess risk and develop appropriate plans to mitigate that risk.
The mission of the College of Wooster’s Care Team is to assist when a student experiences personal, emotional, academic, or medical concerns that may interfere with their overall well-being, their success as a student, or the safety of the college community. The Care Team uses a proactive, collaborative, and objective approach to identify, assess, and intervene to support success while balancing community safety. This team of multidisciplinary professionals collaborate with the individual of concern to facilitate appropriate and timely interventions.
The Care Team is Committed to:
· To assist individuals in meeting their academic/professional/personal goals to thrive while at The College of Wooster.
· To demonstrate empathy, respect for individuals and their multiple identities, and use professional practices in support of community well-being and safety.
· To communicate effectively across campus (e.g., departments, divisions, groups, teams) to promote the health and safety of all members of campus.
· To be proactive in identifying, assessing, and responding to student behaviors and assess potential risk to the campus community.
· To provide resources for students, faculty, and staff
How to Refer Someone
Fill out the Care Team Referral form. A member of the team will review this information within 24 hours Monday – Friday.
Please note: This is not an emergency contact form.
If you believe someone may pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of themselves or others, call Campus Safety immediately at 330-263-2590 or 9-911.
When to Refer Someone
Refer someone if you notice:
· They express thoughts of suicide or other acts of self-harm.
· Their behavior reflects increased hopelessness or helplessness.
· They become increasingly isolated, unkempt, irritable, disconnected, or unable to care for themselves.
· They remain distressed following attempts by you and others to help.
· They show aggressive or threatening behavior that poses a danger toward themselves or others.
· Their academic performance or social interaction deteriorates.
· Significant and marked changes in their behavior or mood.
Care Team Members
· Jennifer Bowen – Dean for Curriculum and Academic Engagement
· Kevin Cooper – Interim Director of Campus Safety
· Joe Kirk – Interim Dean of Student
· Amber Larson – Director of the Academic Resource Center
· John Reynolds – Director of Residence Life
Certification
The Care Team participates in certification courses facilitated by the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association, as well as ongoing trainings.
How to Help Others
There will be times within your friendships that you can see that someone is struggling or has been through something traumatic. Sometimes we want to know what to do to help and do not know where to even start and may feel “unqualified” to handle certain situations.
Ways to help
There are a few basic things to do to establish some boundaries for yourself and be helpful for your friend:
- Remember that you cannot do everything, do not take responsibility for fixing what is wrong. You cannot make someone else seek help or make big life changes.
- Don’t ignore what is happening because you may not be sure how to respond, often just communicating that is helpful.
- Listen and be supportive, really listening without judgement and without offering advice is often the most helpful way we can be there for others.
- Be honest with yourself about your limitations.
- Be honest with your friend, if you are unable to help, it is ok to redirect to someone that can.
- “Touch base” and encourage your friend to keep talking.