CARE Team

When classroom management (with the help of your department chair and division dean) has been unsuccessful, or you are noticing an escalation in behavior, this is the time to make a referral to the CARE Team.

For more information, review "Identifying At-Risk Students" in the next section.

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• Create opportunities for connections in your classroom and work to engage the withdrawn, or socially isolated student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.
  
  

• 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

Nicole Cooper – Title IX
(432) 685-4781

Anthony Soliz - Housing
(432) 685-6467