CARE Frequently Asked Questions

What does CARE stand for?

CARE stands for Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation. 

It is the purpose of the CARE Team to:

  • Provide a proactive, coordinated and planned approach to the assessment, monitoring, and management of DVC students who have been identified as students of concern.
  • Review reports of concern about DVC students.
  • Provide resources and offer liaison support to faculty, staff and managers.
  • Maintain a database of historical reports of concern through the Advocate software.

What is the CARE team responsible for?

  • Reviewing reports of students of concern, determining appropriate referrals and resources, and following up with the reporting party as needed.
  • Assessing the composition of the CARE team and adding members when appropriate.
  • Develop and implement education and outreach plans to ensure that processes and contacts are well known by the campus community

Having clear procedures and plans of action when behavioral issues arise is critical to ensure the safety and security of the entire campus community. The CARE team will provide leadership and guidance on these processes and also respond to inquiries and issues as they arise.

Who is on the CARE Advisory Committee?

The CARE advisory committee is a multi-disciplinary campus committee (meeting 2-3 times per term) and includes representatives from the following offices:  Students Services, Police Services, Counseling, Community Partners, Instruction, and Marketing.

Committee members:

  • Emily Stone, Dean, Counseling and Student Success Programs, co-chair
  • Kenyetta Tribble, Dean, SRC
  • Christie Harrington-Tsai, wellness counselor
  • Renee Savage, International Students
  • David Hagerty, Disability Support Services
  • Beth Hanis, Contra Costa Counted Supported Education Services
  • Cathy Walton-Woodson, Counseling
  • Chrisanne Know, Marketing
  • Ryan Huddleston, Police Services
  • Bill Oye, Instruction
  • Nancy Deason, Disability Support Services
  • Nicole Despins, Disability Support Services
  • Sara Larkin, Student Life
  • Leigh Apodaca, Student Life

Who is on the CARE team?

The CARE team is comprised of members of the advisory committee. This team meets on a weekly basis. Members include:

  • Emily Stone, Student Services, co-chair
  • Carla Molina, Dean, Enrollment Services
  • Kenyetta Tribble, Dean, SRC
  • Christie Harrington-Tsai, wellness counselor
  • Other departments as needed

How do I know when to contact the CARE team?

  • If you feel there is an immediate threat or emergency, call Police Services 925-969-3000 (PHC), 925-551-6212 (SRC) or 911.
  • If you know of a student who may be experiencing the following: unusual or erratic behavior in class, extended absence from class or activities by a typically engaged student, written work or creative expression with troubling themes or references, written or verbal expressions of suicidal thoughts or intent, housing insecurity, extreme financial distress or other unexpected life events (not an exhaustive list), they may be an appropriate referral to the CARE team. 

What do I do if I have a student who may need a referral to the CARE Team?

  • If you feel there is an immediate threat or emergency, call Police Services 925-969-3000 (PHC), 925-551-6212 (SRC) or 911.
  • To make a referral, you can submit a CARE report or use the desktop icon. You will be asked for basic information about the student and a description of the incident or behaviors that prompted the referral. 
  • You are the CARE team’s best resource because you are familiar to the student. If you are comfortable doing so, tell the student that you are concerned and ask if he/she is OK. In many cases students will indicate that they could use some help and you can refer them to the Counseling Center.  

Who can make a referral?

Any DVC employee who feels a student meets the criteria for a CARE referral may submit a report.

How do I submit a referral?

  • Desktop icon available for PC users (networked computers) 
  • Access team site through the CARE webpage

How will I know my report has been received?

All confirmation emails are sent to your dvc.edu email address. You will be receive a confirmation email from the Advocate system.  Be sure to look for an email from:  dvc-advocate@advocate.symplicity.com.  We advise that you add this email address to your trusted contacts. 

What if I’m not sure if I should report to the CARE team?

When in doubt, ask your dean, manager, or department chair.

What happens after I make the referral?

If the concern is urgent the CARE team may seek out the student to make sure everything is ok.  In a less urgent situation the student will be discussed in our weekly Care team meeting, and all of the relevant people will evaluate how to proceed.  Each situation is different and requires a unique approach.

Upon receipt of a CARE referral, the CARE team will review the information provided and then strategize the best way to follow-up. Individuals who make a referral may be contacted by a representative of the CARE team for more information or clarification. Depending on the circumstances, that individual may not receive specific information about how the CARE team plans on responding to their referral.

What happens to the student under the CARE team?

If the CARE team determines a student is appropriate for monitoring, the student will be added to a list of students discussed at each CARE team meeting.  A course of action is outlined and then reviewed during the subsequent meeting.  Usually a team member will be responsible for contacting the student to initiate an appropriate response. 

Examples of responses may influence the following:

  • The CARE team may determine that there is no need for further action but will monitor the situation and concern.
  • A CARE team representative will circle back around to the referral source and provide suggestions and ways to respond to the concerning behavior.
  • A CARE team representative may reach out to the individual of concern directly to provide support and resources.
  • If the situation requires immediate action, such as situations where the individual is an immediate threat of harming self or others, the CARE team may coordinate with Campus Security or the local Police Department to assist in the response.

Will students be disciplined?

The CARE team protocol is aimed specifically at providing for the health of students in the community.  It does not address disciplinary issues. The CARE team will refer disciplinary issues to the appropriate conduct process.  

How do I know if it is a CARE team issue or if it is more appropriately handled by other campus resources?

You do not have to make this determination; the CARE team will do it for you. The most critical step is that you report it to the CARE team. If another campus resource is more appropriate, the CARE team will refer the student and handle the transfer of information.

Are the referrals to the CARE team confidential?

We can never promise confidentiality when life safety is an issue, but we will make every effort to treat each case with discretion. School officials may be required to report situations involving threats to safety.

The CARE team will take reasonable steps to maintain the privacy of those who make a referral if requested.  If the circumstances don’t allow privacy to be maintained, this will be discussed with the person making the referral. On occasion, the nature and context of the report may make it easy for the individual to speculate the reporting source.

Is the CARE Team part of EOPS/CARE?

No. EOPS/CARE is a student services program that serves students who meet the EOPS/CARE criteria.  EOPS/CARE means Extended Opportunity Programs and Services and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education.

What other resources are available?

Please refer to the Assisting Emotionally Distressed Students Handbook for detailed information and resources for students or visit dvc.edu/care.

Who/where should I call after hours?

In emergency situations, call Police Services 925-969-3000 (PHC) or 925-551-6212 (SRC) or 911.

What if I think a student is under the influence of alcohol or drugs?

Call Police Services immediately. It is important to have the student assessed by Police Services at the time you think the student is under the influence. Call the non-emergency line 925-969-5547 (x25547 from a campus phone).

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal law (Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, Title 20, U.S. Code, Chapter 38, Sections 1681 – 1686) prohibiting discrimination in educational institutions receiving federal financial assistance, in the college's programs or activities, employment, academic, educational, extracurricular and athletic activities (both on and off campus) on the basis of sex. 

Title IX protects all people regardless of their gender or gender identity from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery and sexual coercion. Title IX requires institutions to take necessary steps to prevent sexual assault on their campuses and to respond promptly and effectively when an assault is reported.

For more information, review our Title IX page.

Should I report a Title IX incident to CARE? 

No. Complaints of sexual discrimination, misconduct or harassment should be filed with the college Title IX Coordinator, Vicki Ferguson, Administration Building, 207; vferguson@dvc.edu; 925-969-2005.