CARE Team

Consultation • Assessment • Referral • Education

The CARE Team at the Columbiana County Campuses of Kent State University 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 a 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 the members of CARE Team. The identities of individuals who submit a referral are kept confidential by the members of 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 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 found at the bottom of this page, please note the appropriate campus, fill in as much information and detail as you can as this will assist the CARE Team to evaluate the referral appropriately. 
2. Submit a paper copy of the referral form to:

Salem Students Contact

Sarah Motts, Academic Center, Office 107-E
330-337-4202, smotts@kent.edu

East Liverpool Students Contact

Dr. Steve Minnick, Mary Patterson Building, Office 101-B
330-382-7417, sminnick@kent.edu 

Will I know what happens with my referral?

If you include your email address when you submit a referral to CARE, you will receive a confirmation email 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 toward 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.

Complete this online form to submit your CARE Team concern

Kent State University at Salem  Kent State University at East Liverpool

Contact the CARE Team at salemcares@kent.edu or eastliverpoolcares@kent.edu