CARE Team FAQ
Q: When should you create a report to the CARE Team?
A: In an emergency always DIAL 911 – The CARE Team is not intended as a response to an emergency situation
When in doubt report! By reporting concerning behavior, you give the CARE Team the opportunity to intervene and connect an individual with critical resources. You also help the campus community by submitting concerns to a central source - more often than not, if you've noticed a behavior of concern someone else has as well.
Q: Why make a report to the CARE Team?
A: By reporting concerning behavior, you give the CARE Team the opportunity to intervene and connect an individual with critical resources. Reporting shows you care and want the individual to succeed. By reporting, you are also helping the campus community centralize information, thus building a more complete picture of the situation. More often than not, if you've noticed a behavior of concern someone else has as well.
Q: What type of issues should be reported to the CARE Team?
A: The CARE Team should be alerted when you witness or are made aware of any of the behaviors below by any member of the Gavilan College community:
- Suicidal statements or self-harming behavior
- Dangerous behavior or threats of dangerous behavior toward others (including disclosure or witness of domestic /relationship violence)
- Unusual changes in the individual's behavior or appearance
- Significant changes in attendance or academic performance
- Disproportionate responses to stress including outbursts or aggressive statements
- Unusual focus on violence or morbidity
- Increasing isolation
- Significant personal issues/crisis
- Other behaviors that you feel are out of the ordinary for the individual
Q: How do I report an issue to the CARE Team?
A: To submit a report now please click on the following link: Gavilan College Incident Report
The form is simple and straightforward. You can even remain anonymous.
Q: What happens to the report once it’s been submitted?
A: The CARE Team holds confidential, monthly meetings. In those meetings we use a protocol to determine the appropriate action steps. Those steps may include a number of the following:
- The individual of concern may be contacted by a member of the CARE Team to facilitate connections with resources such as counseling, financial aid, health and wellness, social agencies, or legal advice
- The CARE Team may determine that the individual of concern need not be contacted because an action plan is already in place and functioning
- A member of the CARE Team may contact the reporting party to provide resources that the reporting party can share with the individual of concern (this would only happen if the reporting party has expressed an interest in participating in the conversation with the individual of concern)
- The individual of concern may be referred to and/or contacted by a case manager, counselor, dean, or someone else on the team.
- When appropriate and in compliance with privacy policies, a CARE Team member may contact the referring party to provide an update on actions taken.
Q: Who can submit an incident report?
A: Any member of the Gavilan College community can submit an incident report
Q: What happens to an individual who has been referred to the CARE Team?
A: The CARE Team will review the report to determine the appropriate course of support. If there is a threat, the Team will determine what level of risk may be presented.
The Team will then recommend the appropriate actions and resources for the situation and the individual. If direct contact with the individual is appropriate, a member of the CARE Team will reach out, in-person if possible. The CARE Team will work with the individual to schedule any suggested or mandated sessions. In the unlikely, but possible case of involuntary hospitalization, the CARE Team will work with external agencies and campus personnel to determine under what conditions the individual is permitted to return to campus.
The CARE Team will always strive to help the individual in a proactive and positive manner while maintaining a safe and supportive educational environment for all.
Q: What if the individual I’m concerned about is a staff member?
A: The CARE Team assesses every situation with the goal of assisting the individual in distress. The resources made available to an employee may be different than those directed to a student but the goal of maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all remains the focus.
Q: Are Incident Reports confidential?
A: CARE reports are confidential to the extent that the individual is not an immediate danger to self or others.
Q: What if I’m just looking for advice on how to handle/deal with a student issue?
A: You can always call your division dean or direct supervisor, as well as the Supervisor, Student Health Services, or counseling department.
Q: Can a report be submitted anonymously?
A: Yes they can. Be aware, though, that if more information is necessary, we may not be able to complete an investigation of the case as we will be unable to conduct follow-up.
Q: Where can I read more about behavioral threat assessment and intervention?
A: National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment
Submit an Incident Report to the Care Team
To submit a report now please click on the following link: Gavilan College Incident Report
The form is simple and straightforward. You can even remain anonymous.
Title IX
If you are experiencing sexual misconduct, gender-based discrimination/harassment, and/or domestic/intimate partner violence or know someone who is, or are being accused, please visit the Gavilan College Title IX page.