Cultivating a safe and supportive campus environment is the responsibility of all university employees. The CARE Team was created to formalize the university’s existing processes and facilitate communication, collaboration and coordination of concerns related to student wellness and behavior. The CARE Team and affiliated CARE referral process, provide a centralized resource for bringing concerns about students to the attention of the people on campus and/or in the community who can best assist that student. 

The CARE Team meets weekly to consult and determine optimal support strategies for students who may be experiencing personal challenges and coordinate an appropriate response action plan. Central to the CARE Team process is coordinating campus communication and information sharing to detect patterns of behavior that in isolation may seem insignificant, but when viewed holistically, may indicate a more critical concern.

The UNC Pembroke CARE Team seeks to:

• Identify, assess and support students who display concerning behavior
• Initiate appropriate measures to support the student and campus community  
• Coordinate activities with other departments/programs to support students
• Educate and empower the campus community to recognize, report, manage and effectively address concerning, problematic, disruptive, threatening, and/or harmful behaviors
• Provide consultation, support, recommendations and intervention assistance to campus members to help students and manage situations or behaviors, preferably before they repeat, escalate or become threatening or acts of harm to self or others
• Collect, assess and track reports and information about student behaviors to identify and respond to patterns of behavior or trends, including gaps in service(s) and support for students

The CARE Team is comprised of subject-matter experts from a variety of campus departments dedicated to helping students of concern remain successful in and out of the classroom. CARE Team members have experience in law enforcement, threat assessment, physical and mental health, human resources, housing and residence life, university operations, and student affairs.

Any individual is welcome to submit a CARE referral.  Most often those submitting a report are faculty, staff, students or parents. A CARE referral should NOT be used for emergency situations. If you are experiencing an emergency situation, please call UNC Pembroke Police and Public Safety 910.521.6235 for on-campus emergencies or 911 for off-campus emergencies.

Anyone can report concerning, disruptive or threatening behaviors to the CARE Team by submitting a CARE referral using the online reporting form.

 

Submit a CARE Referral

Reports can be submitted anonymously. However, we prefer to have the contact information for the reporter so we can reach out to follow-up, gather additional information, etc.

All members of the university community play an important role in helping others get the assistance they need to succeed. There may be signs indicating that a person is experiencing personal challenges and would benefit from support.

Examples of the types of behaviors sometimes exhibited by distressed individuals that should be referred to the CARE Team include:

• Extreme anxiety
• Prolonged and significant difficulty with the demands of college
• Tearfulness, frequent crying
• Loss of temper or outbursts of anger
• Destructive behavior, including self-injurious behavior
• Displays of physical and/or domestic violence
• Expressions of self-blame, guilt or shame
• Extreme sadness or depression
• Deteriorating classroom performance
• Disruptiveness, overly confrontational, aggression with disregard for others
• Impulsiveness without giving thoughts to consequences of actions
• Withdrawing from or avoiding others, isolating
• Expressionless face
• References to suicide along with statements of hopelessness and helplessness
• Speaking or writing that is violent in nature, seems bizarre or is out of touch with reality
• Violent fantasy content, expression of dark or jarring themes or images
• Fascination with weapons
• Homicidal ideation
• Stalking
• Non-compliance or disciplinary matters
• Interest in previous shooting situations
• Victim/martyr self-concept, allusions of grandeur   
• Paranoia
• Violence or cruelty
• Recent police contact
• Unusual interest in police, military, terrorist activities and materials
• Excessive use of drugs and/or alcohol
• Recent and dramatic life changes, including changes in personality, eating habits, hygiene/appearance and/or sleep patterns
• Publishing a video or communicating a plan of harm to self or others        

Presentation of these types of behaviors in isolation may or may not indicate a more serious problem. Sharing information with the CARE Team may assist in the analysis of a pattern of behaviors that may benefit from intervention and support. 

 

The behavior of distressed individuals may come to your attention in a variety of ways, including:

• Direct observation of the behavior in the classroom, including in written form through assignments
• Direct observation of the behavior outside of the classroom, including such places as the residence halls, library, cafeteria or at student activities and events
• Reports regarding online or social media platforms, via posts, blog entries, Tweets, etc.
• Reports from other students, roommates, faculty, staff or other members of the university community including family members
• Direct communication with the individual, via in-person conversations, email or phone calls/messages

NOTE: Even with the existence of a CARE Team, the actions and responsibilities of this team do not replace those of emergency responders or the police. Some behaviors require immediate emergency assistance. If an incident is currently an immediate threat to self or others, please contact UNC Pembroke Police and Public Safety 910.521.6235 for on-campus emergencies or 911 for off-campus emergencies.

NOTE: The list of behaviors provided is not exhaustive or inclusive of all behaviors that should be reported but is intended to be a useful educational resource or guide.

You do not have to make this determination; the CARE Team will do it for you. The most important step is that you report your concern to the CARE Team by submitting a CARE referral form. If another campus resource is more appropriate, the CARE Team will refer the student and coordinate continuity of care and appropriate case management documentation.

When a CARE referral is submitted, the CARE Team decides upon the most appropriate person to reach out to a student of concern. This can often be accomplished without mentioning the details of the CARE referral. Sometimes a student will be asked to meet directly with the CARE Team case manager or another member of the CARE Team. 

The CARE Team seeks to connect students to the department(s) that will provide the best resource(s). CARE referrals are reviewed during normal business hours by people who are trained to assess and act. The CARE Team case manager conducts an initial assessment on every CARE referral. In many cases, the outcome of the initial assessment is simply to offer support and resources to either the individual who reports the concern, the student of concern or both. Each situation is different and requires an individualized approach.

The CARE Team often collaborates with the reporting party and with other campus and community resources, if appropriate. The reporting party will be kept informed, as appropriate, of the situation with respect to the privacy of all parties involved. While maintaining privacy is the CARE Team’s goal, please be aware that reports and other communication may be subject to review as outlined in federal and state laws.

The CARE Team will make every effort to get back to you; however, we must maintain the student's privacy-certain laws may keep up from sharing details about our follow up with you. 

Only CARE Team members are aware of the names of students of concern and given details relevant to effectively support these students. If you happen to submit a CARE referral regarding a student already identified to the CARE Team, your information will be added to the previously existing CARE referrals(s). Each CARE referral provides a unique perspective that is likely to assist in identifying the most appropriate resource and support strategy for each student.

 

Upon pressing “submit” you will be redirected to a page thanking you for your submission. If you do not receive this message, please contact the CARE Team case manager to report the problem. In certain circumstances, you may be contacted to provide additional information about your referral. If you are not contacted and you have received the submission message, rest assured that your report is being reviewed and acted upon. If you would like an update on the student for which you submitted a CARE referral, please contact the CARE Team case manager coordinator at 910.775.4180 or via email however, we must maintain the student's privacy and, in fact, some laws may keep up from sharing details about our follow up with you. 

Yes. CARE referral can be submitted for any student (graduate or undergraduate) at UNC Pembroke. 

The CARE Team mission is aimed specifically at providing proactive and supportive consultation, assessment, response and education.  It does not address disciplinary issues or mete out sanctions.  

We can never promise confidentiality when safety is an issue, but we will make every effort to treat each case with discretion and privacy. University officials may be required to report situations involving threats to safety. Although you can submit a CARE referral and request anonymity, it is important to note students may realize you submitted a CARE referral through less-direct ways (i.e., details related to that incident, information only shared by the student with one person on campus).

Members of the CARE Team are available to provide education, resources and training to UNC Pembroke students, staff and faculty. Departments, clubs, organizations, teams and others are encouraged to request our consultation and training services.  To learn more or request a presentation or training visit the CARE Education and Outreach page 

Of course! Just send an email to the CARE Team or you can call the CARE Team office at 910.775.4180.