WCC is a community that CARES
WCC adheres to core values of integrity, community, social justice, respect, and responsibility. We deeply care about the health, well-being, safety, and success of our students and our employees. In support of these goals, the College created the WCC Care Team.
The WCC CARE Team
- is a group of WCC staff comprised of members from student affairs, public safety, and the counseling department.
- is designed to intervene early and provide support to students displaying emotional or distressed behaviors.
- utilizes a proactive and multi-disciplinary approach in support of the safety, health, and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff.
- acts to promote a safe and effective learning environment
- meets bi-weekly during the year and at other times as needed to develop potential interventions tailored to the student of concern and coordinate follow-up on a case-by-case basis.
- assists faculty and staff with strategies to interact in the support of students of concern who are struggling or having a difficult time.
Although the Care Team is often updated on instances of student code of conduct violations, criminal behavior, etc. - the Care Team role in these matters is as an advisory group to the offices directly managing the situation (Dean of Students Office, Department of Public Safety DPS, etc.)
The Care Team is a student-focused group. Reports regarding employees are forwarded directly to the Human Resources Office or immediate supervisor.
How to contact the Care Team
The best way to contact the Care Team is through the Care Team contact form.
What happens when you file a Care Team Contact Form?
The report will be reviewed by member(s) of the Care Team to assess the situation and determine on a case-by-case basis, what outreach or interventions may be needed. In some cases, the report will not trigger outreach or intervention at all as the situation may only require monitoring. A member of the Care Team may contact you for follow-up information. The Care Team will not be able to provide information on the outcome of outreach or intervention. The Care Team will handle the information as privately as it can sharing information only with internal employees that may need to know or be aware of the situation.
When a faculty member is concerned about a student
Faculty have a unique opportunity to intervene when a student is in, or heading toward, distress. The majority of students at WCC are committed to performing well academically. When a student’s academic performance is poor or declines throughout the semester - this may be a sign of the student struggling in other areas. Faculty are often the first to know when students need additional support. Listed below are some things faculty should consider when identifying a student of concern:
- Class attendance – Has the student missed multiple classes? Is the student failing to meet your attendance policy? Have you noticed a change in the student’s attendance as the semester has progressed?
- Quality of assignments – Has the quality of the student’s assignments declined? Is the student turning assignments in later or not at all? Does the content of the assignment concern you or allude to other problems the student may be experiencing?
- Receipt of concerning information – Has the student shared information with you that seems to imply distress in other areas of the student’s life? Did you receive an email that shares personal information not relevant to your course or assignment?
- Noticeable changes in the student’s behavior or appearance – Do you have concerns about a student’s behavior in class? Is the student having trouble connecting with peers? Have you noticed a significant change in the student’s appearance or mood?
- Does the student make remarks about hopelessness, being a burden, not having a purpose, feel trapped, and make remarks about self-harm or suicide ideation? These types of remarks should be forwarded to the Care Team.
Please consider filling a Care Team Report if you have concerns about a student’s emotional state. While one of the concerns listed above, alone, may not trigger a Care Team Report, a combination of these concerns may be cause for concern. Any information you submit may initiate the process of identifying a student in distress, or may add to information we already have about a student of concern.
When one student is concerned about another
Students are often the first to know when one of their friends or peers is struggling. For this reason, students are likely to be the most helpful in getting another student connected to appropriate campus resources. Often, other students see and hear what the struggling student is really experiencing.
Students are encouraged to submit a Care Team report when there is significant reason to be concerned about another student. The following list provides some areas to consider when identifying a student of concern.
- Disengaging or isolating – disengagement from activities of which the person was previously interested.
- Missing multiple classes and assignments – Is the student choosing not to go to class even though there is a penalty for missing? Are they falling behind in multiple classes or in multiple assignments? Are they missing class because of other, less important, activities?
- Noticeable change in the student’s behavior or appearance – Do you have concerns about a student’s behavior? Is the student having trouble connecting with peers? Have you noticed a significant change in the student’s appearance or mood?
- Problematic behaviors – Are you concerned about the amount of alcohol or drugs the individual is consuming? Are they participating in behaviors that are unhealthy and have you worried? Are they seemingly reckless with their choices and actions?
- Receipt of concerning information – Has the individual told you information that has you concerned for their wellbeing? Do you feel that the student could benefit from the support of WCC services? Do you feel “in over your head”?
- Does the individual make remarks about hopelessness, being a burden, not having a purpose, feel trapped, and make remarks about self-harm or suicide ideation? These types of remarks should be forwarded to the Care Team.
While a single instance of one of the concerns listed above may not trigger a Care Team Report, a combination of these situations may be cause for concern. Any information you submit may initiate the process of identifying an individual in distress, or may add to information we already have about a student of concern.