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Putting

Together the Puzzle Pieces

How to identify, support, and refer a student of concern to the CARE Team�

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Behavior Intervention Team: History

Schools were responding to reports of threats and concerns for safety “ad hoc” and using a reactive approach. Northern had the CAT team.

Pre-2007

Today

April 16, 2007

2009

2022

The National Association of Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA) formed to support the work of campuses engaged in preventative student support and violence assessment.

Our CARE Team aims to receive early alerts, or early intervention referrals, and reduce threats before they ever occur.

49 people are shot on Virginia Tech’s campus by a student who had a hospitalization prior to the attack, as well as several concerning encounters with individuals on campus.

NMU signed the Okanagan Charter to to embed health into all aspects of campus culture and to lead health promotion action and collaboration.

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CARE Team

  • Case Administration and Resource Education
  • Identify, assess, and intervene
  • Receive referrals from anyone
  • Create a safe and supportive environment
  • Provide support, resources and guidance
  • Refer to supportive departments on campus

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CARE Data Trends- 2023 to 2026

  • Around 1,000 referrals per calendar year
  • Top 3 concerns: Emotional, Social, and Physical WellBeing
  • Referral Sources- 25% Faculty, 25% housing, 12% Success Advisors
  • Fall- 50% referrals are FTFYF
  • Increase in wellbeing checks from F23 to F26
  • 25% connection rate with CARE Management Services

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CARE Team: Members

  • Core Team Members- attend every meeting with backup
    • Emily Meier, CARE Management Services Director
    • Lynne Vedin, Counseling Assistant Department Head
    • Mark Dellangelo, Director of Student Conduct
    • Jon Kovar, Campus Police Detective/Lieutenant
    • Cat Hardenbergh, Housing and Residential Life Director
    • Deni Brenes, Student Success Director
    • Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick, Medical Director
  • Middle Team Members- attend meetings as needed
    • Jason Laxo, Head Athletic Trainer
    • Harger Boal, Title IX Coordinator

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Who to Refer: Common Faculty Referral Reasons

Missing class/late assignments because of self-disclosed stress

Poor focus or attention in class that is unusual for the student

Talking about harm to self or others or loss of will to live

Distruptive, hardened or unusual participation in class

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Strange or bizarre writing (e.g., writing that is off topic to prompt)

Frequent requests for special provisions (e.g. late papers, extension requests)

A sudden or unexpected change in classroom or research performance

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Who to Refer: Common Staff Referral Reasons

Difficulty accessing resources across campus

Difficulty dealing with an event (e.g. death of loved one)

Talking about harm to self or others or loss of will to live

Emotions that are extreme for the situation

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Delusional or paranoid speech or actions

Mentions dealing with depression, anxiety, substance use, eating disorder, etc.

Lack of connection with peers or lack of support system

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Who to Refer: Common Housing Referral Reasons

Talking to RA/RD about difficulty handling life stress

Difficulty dealing with an event (e.g. death of loved one)

Talking about harm to self or others or loss of will to live

Change in typical personality (more outgoing or more withdrawn than usual)

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Roommate issues

Financial stressors

Transport to hospital

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Who to Refer: Common Employer Referral Reasons

Missing shifts because of stress

Teasing or bullying (receiving or giving)

Talking about harm to self or others or loss of will to live

Change in typical personality (more outgoing or more withdrawn than usual)

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Marked irritability, anger, hostility, etc.

Financial stressors

Difficulty connecting to others

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How to Provide Support

Name the Concern

“I noticed that…”

“Lately you’ve seemed…”

“It seems like…”

Open-ended Questions

“How have things been going for you?”

“What has been difficult for you lately?”

“What could help make things better?”

Summarize

“So what I heard you say…”

“What I’m hearing from you…”

“Ok, let me make sure I understand…”

Name the concern

Ask open-ended questions

Demonstrate empathy

Summarize what you heard

Demonstrate Empathy

“Wow, thank you for sharing that. It must be difficult.”

“You’re dealing with a lot

right now.”

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How to Make a Referral

High Risk

  • If there is a concern for safety, get immediate help by calling NMU PD at 906.227.2151

Low-Medium Risk

  • If there is not a concern for safety, make a referral by:
    • CARE Referral Form: nmu.edu/CARE
    • ESP Personal Concerns
    • Call 906.227.1403
    • Email wellbeing@nmu.edu

Information to Share

  • Demographic information
  • Objective description of actual observed behavior, statement or written communication
  • Specific examples, including direct quotes of what was said, emails exchanged or assignments
  • The CARE Team is designed to receive referrals from faculty, staff, students, and families.
  • Students who get referred to the CARE team get support

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How to Make a Referral

Example: Unhelpful Referral

“During our meeting today, Alex seemed strange, and I’m worried. So are a lot of other people. Alex also sent an email last week that was pretty concerning.”

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How to Make a Referral

Example: Helpful Referral

“During our meeting today, Alex was bouncing in the chair, sweating a lot, and struggled to make eye contact. This is not typical behavior of Alex, as he is usually calm and engaged. I’ve also heard from Alex’s English professor that she is worried as Alex stopped coming to class. Last week, Alex sent an email saying he had a panic attack and would have to cancel our meeting. I attached the email to this referral.”

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How to Make a Referral

Helpful vs. Unhelpful Referral

At our shift on Sunday night, Alex wasn’t acting like himself. He kept saying how he’d rather not be here.

That made me nervous, so I asked him what he meant by that. He said that he had too much going on to be at work. He had 2 exams next week that he hadn’t studied for, his girlfriend hadn’t texted him back since their fight on Saturday night, and his parents were getting on him for his upcoming financial aid payment. I think all the stress is too much for him, and I’d love for him to have some extra support.

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Sample Faculty Email

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What Happens After a Referral

Gather Data

Once the CARE Team receives the referral, we will begin collecting any additional information to put together the pieces of the puzzle.

Assess Concern

To determine how to best intervene and support the student, the CARE Team reviews the data collected to assess the level of concern, risk, or threat.

Deploy Interventions

Based on the level of concern, risk or threat, the CARE Team will deploy interventions such as meetings, case management services, safety response and assessments

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ALEX

ADVISOR

FACULTY

EMPLOYER

RES LIFE

At the beginning of the semester, Alex (who is in the honors program) performed well in class and participated regularly. He seemed eager to learn the material and was trying hard. Over the last few weeks, however, Alex has started to miss class. When Alex does show up, he is late and looks disheveled and tired. Yesterday, he left in the middle of an exam appearing tearful. On the last question of the exam he wrote, “I’m sorry, I just can’t do this. I need time to myself.”

Alex was a strong student in high school and came to the school as an honors student. He is hoping to major in biology or chemistry with the dream of going to med school. In the fall, he seemed to struggle to adjust to college life. He earned low grades in his classes and was placed on academic probation. Midterm grades were issued for spring semester and you see that Alex has low grades again.

One of the RAs is concerned for Alex. Alex hasn’t left his room much in the last few weeks and the RA has heard him crying at night.

The RA notes that the few times he has seen Alex out of the room, he is withdrawn and quiet which is unusual for him. The RA knows Alex’s girlfriend recently broke up with him and she seemed to be his closest friend at school.

Alex was hired after a glowing recommendation from his honors program advisor. He was a great employee until the last few weeks. A few weeks ago, Alex getting a phone call that seemed to upset him. He appeared agitated during the call and left work right away. Since then, he has been calling off work, or not showing up at all. A few times, when he did come to work, he appeared hungover.

1 to 10- how would you rate Alex?

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CARE Management

  • Meeting with CARE Manager (100% voluntary):
    • Discuss any obstacles you are currently facing or barriers you may be coming up against
    • Identify campus resources central to your success
    • Create an action plan with clear goals to map out your success for the academic year
  • Set up follow-up meetings to check on progress and set new goals

Emily Meier

emeier@nmu.edu

906.227.1403

José Garcia

jogarcia@nmu.edu

906.227.2916

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Questions?

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