Care Team

CARE: Consultation - Assessment - Referral - Education

The CARE Team at Kent State University at Ashtabula exists to gather isolated concerns in one location to be examined as possible patterns of behavior and to coordinate a supportive, positive outreach toward students with concerning behavior when appropriate.  The cross-functional team prefers to take a proactive approach, focusing on early interventions toward distressing student behavior in an attempt to change the behavior before the situation escalates.

Is CARE Team confidential?

All referrals and information discussed related to the referral is confidential.  This means that the information is kept completely separate from academic records, does not have a physical paper trail, and is not accessible by any individual on the campus other than members of the CARE Team.  The identities of individuals who submit a referral are kept confidential by the members of the CARE Team; however, once the CARE Team reaches out to the student, the student may be able to identify the person making the referral.  Keeping referrals confidential is important to each member of the CARE Team in order to respect the privacy of all individuals involved and to allow individuals to feel comfortable in making a referral.

How do I make a referral to CARE Team?

There are two primary ways to make a referral to CARE Team:

  1. *PREFERRED* Submit an Online CARE Referral Form.  When you complete the form, please fill in as much information and detail as you can as this will assist the CARE Team in evaluating the referral properly.
  2. Submit a paper copy of the referral form to:
    CARE Team
    Kent State University at Ashtabula
    Student Services
    3300 Lake Road West
    Ashtabula, OH 44004
    ph: 440-964-4217 | fax: 440-964-4100

Will I know what happens with my referral?

If you include your e-mail address when you submit a referral to CARE, you will receive a confirmation e-mail that your referral was received and will be reviewed.  In some situations, you may be contacted by a CARE Team member for additional information.  CARE will perform an outreach based on your referral without providing information about the outcome of that outreach, although there may be some situations in which you will remain involved as part of the outreach from the referral.

Submission Guidelines

Examples of concerning behavior can include, but are not limited to:

  • Erratic behavior that is distracting and/or disruptive to the learning environment, in the classroom, or elsewhere on campus (including online activities)
  • Violations of personal space both physically and via communications
  • Implied or direct threat of harm to themselves or others
  • Displaying or talking about what is thought to be a weapon or something to be used for harm or disruption
  • Physical or verbal confrontation or discomforting statements
  • Stalking or harassment behavior towards a faculty member or student
  • Bizarre or odd behavior
  • Threatening, aggressive, or hostile communications (verbal and/or electronic)
  • Clearly noticeable changes in behavior, demeanor, dress, or personality from what was previously "typical" for that individual