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Division of Student Affairs
CARE Team

Understanding the CARE Team Process

Anyone concerned about a student facing academic, personal, or emotional difficulties, or exhibiting disruptive behavior, can submit a CARE referral form. This form indicates concern for the student’s well-being and triggers the CARE outreach process.

CARE referrals are reviewed during business hours by trained professionals. A CARE Team member performs an initial assessment of each referral, usually leading to the provision of support and resources to either the referrer, the student, or both. Each case is handled individually, with CARE Team members often meeting with students multiple times and maintaining periodic check-ins throughout the academic year. You can contact us by phone at (631) 632-CARE (2273).

In the initial meeting, the CARE Team member typically:

  • Assesses the student's well-being, including emotional, social, economic, familial, or medical challenges.
  • Provides consultation and education.
  • Connects students with academic, social, and emotional support resources.
A CARE referral should NOT be used for emergency situations. If you are experiencing an emergency situation, please call the University Police Department 3333 for on-campus emergencies or 911 for off-campus emergencies.

What the CARE Team is Not:

While the CARE Team can be a great resource and tool for helping students, it can't do everything. There are some services that CARE Team is not equipped to offer.

  • Emergency services. CARE Team is happy to reach out to students who have recently experienced a crisis or who seem at-risk of harm to self or others. However, if a student is currently in crisis and in imminent danger of harm to self or others, we advise you to call UPD (for on campus) 333 and 311 for off campus. Calling the police does not get anyone in trouble; police provide emergency services.
  • Counseling services. Counseling Psychological Services has representation on the CARE Team, and if students need counseling services we are happy to put them in touch with either CAPS or a community provider. However, the CARE Team does not offer counseling services, and most of its members are not licensed counselors.
  • A Quick Fix: The CARE Team is here to support students facing obstacles to their well-being and academic success. However, students are expected to actively participate in addressing and overcoming their own challenges.