CARE Team

At one time or another, everyone feels depressed or upset. However, there are three levels of student distress which, when present over a period of time, suggest that the problems are more than the ‘normal’ reactions to life stressors.

LEVEL 1 – DISTRESS

Although not disruptive to others in the classroom or elsewhere, these behaviors in students may indicate that something is wrong, and that help may be needed:

• Serious grade problems
• Unaccountable change from good to poor performance
• Change from frequent attendance to excessive absences
• Change in pattern of interaction
• Marked change in mood, motor activity, or speech
• Marked change in physical appearance

LEVEL 2 – DISTURBANCE

These behaviors in students may indicate significant emotional distress, or reluctance or inability to acknowledge a need for personal help:

• Repeated request for special consideration
• New or regularly occurring behavior which pushes the limits and may interfere with class management, or be disruptive to others
• Unusual or exaggerated emotional response

LEVEL 3 – DYSREGULATION

These behaviors may show that the student is in crisis and needs emergency care:

• Highly disruptive behavior (hostility, aggression, etc.)
• Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, slurred speech, disjointed thoughts)
• Loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things that are not there, beliefs or actions at odds with reality)
• Overt suicidal thoughts (suicide is a current option)
• Homicidal threats
• Individuals deficient in skills that regulate emotion, cognition, self, behavior, and relationships

MORE TIPS FOR FACULTY IN THE CLASSROOM

• Create opportunities for connections in your classroom and work to engage the withdrawn, or socially isolated student
• Phrase feedback positively whenever possible
• During critiques, emphasize the purpose, process, and benefit of them. Seek to normalize the experience by using examples, such as an invited upperclassman’s work
• Understand that some students lack basic life skills and are playing catch-up in many areas
• Identify that Midland College can provide resources regarding self-care, stress management, test anxiety, depression, or other pertinent topics
• Contacts:
  • Shep Grinnan
    Scharbauer Student Center, Room 118
    (432) 685-4505
    sgrinnan@midland.edu
    OR
  • Wendy Kane
    Scharbauer Student Center, Room 118
    (432) 685-4505
    wkane@midland.edu

OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

• Refer students to programs that will help them improve study skills and time management (Language Hub, Math Lab)
• Encourage student involvement in events, campus clubs, community activities. Contact the Student Activities Coordinator for a list of student organizations and campus activities and watch for announcements posted in the Canvas Student Connection course.
  
  

  Jeremiah Blair
  Student Activities Coordinator
  (432) 685-5505
  jblair@midland.edu

• Inform students with disabilities about the self-identification process to utilize accommodations. Refer them to the Disability Coordinator:
  
  

  Ty Soliz
  Director of Residence Life and Accommodations
  Scharbauer Student Center, Room 135
  (432) 685-6467
  asoliz@midland.edu

• Engage with students at activities and on campus – this helps them feel valued!
• Consult with the CARE team as needed for feedback. We are here to support the students and you.

All educators should know the basics of how to de-escalate a situation to refocus students, provide student support, and foster a safe learning environment.

Read and learn how to quickly de-escalate a situation with by downloading your own copy of the provided De-Escalation Script.

De-Escalation Script (pdf)

In An Emergency

Contact the MC Police Department immediately!
The MCPD has officers trained as mental health officials for the college.
(432) 685-4734 - 24/7

Non-Emergency

In NON-EMERGENCY situations, the CARE Team urges you to utilize the provided incident report form to make a referral.

CARE Incident Report Form

CARE Team Contacts

Wendy Kane - Dean of Student Life, CARE Team Co-Chair
(432) 685-4695

Shep Grinnan – Counseling
(432) 685-4505

Tana Baker – Title IX/SOS
(432) 685-4781

Kimberly Daw – Advisor/Coordinator
(432) 681-6338

Anthony Soliz - Housing
(432) 685-6467

Members of the CARE Team follow the general guidelines and recommendations of the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NaBITA) and The National Center for Higher Education Risk Management Group (TNG). The CARE Team will also operate with specific regard to the Midland College Catalog/Student Handbook and the Midland College Policy and Procedures set forth by the Board of Directors.

Information Gathering

A CARE Incident Report Form triggers the CARE Team response. Once a report has been received by the team, the co-chairs will assess whether or not there is an immediate risk/reason for concern. If so, the team will be called to meet immediately. If not, the case will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

ASSESSMENT/DETERMINATION RISK

The CARE Team utilizes the NaBITA Threat Assessment Tool to best determine risk level. Summaries of each level are outlined below:

• Mild Risk

  There is no threat to the individual of concern or others. At this level, the situation can generally be resolved by addressing the disruptive or concerning behavior. Counseling and follow-up support may be recommended. Generally, in this situation, the individual can acknowledge the inappropriateness of the behavior and engage in behavior to make amends with the other party. These individuals may be experiencing mental health concerns, but their conduct is not generally in violation with MC conduct policies.
  
  

• Moderate/Elevated Risk

  At this level, there may be a threat to self or others that could be carried out although there is no evidence that the student has take preparatory steps. These individuals may be experiencing mental health problems and/or displaying disruptive behaviors.
  
  

• Severe/Extreme Risk

  At this level, there appears to be serious danger to the safety of the individual of concern or others, and immediate intervention by MCPD and other local resources are required. It appears that specific steps have been made to carry out a plan to harm.

Intervention Strategies

Based on behavior displayed and the assessment by the team, any of the following recommendations for intervention may be applied. Recommendations may be made in consultation with the appropriate MC department or administrator before any final action is taken.

• Referral to College and/or Community Resources – the CARE Team may refer the student to community counseling services for intervention.
  
  
• Voluntary withdrawal from classes – Based on discussion with the CARE Team and the Vice President of Student Services, the student may choose to temporarily take time away from Midland College to deal with other concerns. The student may re-enter MC during any future semester.
  
  
• Referral to Code of Conduct Process – The CARE Team will make this referral to the Vice President of Student Services only when it is determined that the student behavior may be in violation of the student code of conduct.
  
  
• Involuntary Direct Threat/Safety Assessment – The CARE Team may recommend that students determined to be at high risk for danger to self or others be required to participate in a mandatory assessment by a community mental health professional. The mental health professional will conduct an assessment of direct threat, aid in gaining access to emergency care for the student as needed, assist the student in establishing ongoing treatment as needed, and provide feedback and recommendations to the CARE Team.
  
  
• Criminal Charges – Students who have engaged in behavior that may be in violation of local, state or federal law may be referred for criminal prosecution. Midland College Police Department will take over the case in these circumstances.
  
  
• Follow-Up and Monitoring – In addition to any of the specific intervention strategies described previously, the CARE Team will develop a plan for the follow-up monitoring of each student by providing the student with a CARE Case Manager. This may include checking with faculty and staff regarding student be4havior and periodic meetings between the student, an assigned mental health professional and/or CARE Case Manager.

Record Keeping

Student records are subject to FERPA guidelines and are kept for a minimum of seven years. Confidentiality of student records and associated documents are respected by all members of the CARE Team.

Feedback to Reporting Parties

In accordance with FERPA and other laws addressing confidentiality, the team will report back to the reporting party/parties only when appropriate with pertinent information about our findings and recommendations.