CARE Team
Cuyamaca College
The CARE Team is dedicated to a proactive, coordinated, and planned approach to the identification, prevention, assessment, management, and reduction of interpersonal and behavioral threats to the safety and well- being of Cuyamaca College students.
CARE Team Process
A CARE Team referral (through Maxient) is submitted when someone is concerned about a Cuyamaca College student.
The CARE Team Chair (Dean, Student Affairs) will appoint one of the team members as a Case Manager and will reach out to the student of concern to provide support and resources.
- If there are no additional concerns from the student, the referral source, or the core team, the CARE referral is closed.
- The CARE Team Case Manager will reach out to the person who referred the case prior to closing the referral.
Tips for Working with Students of Concern
Ensure Safety First
- If there is an immediate threat to safety (self or others), call campus security or 911.
- Do not attempt to physically intervene unless trained and necessary.
Stay Calm and Present
- Use a steady, non- threatening tone of voice.
- Maintain open and non- defensive body language.
- Take deep breaths to regulate your own emotions.
Create a Supportive Environment
- Move to a private, quiet area if safe and possible.
- Reduce environmental stressors.
Listen Actively and Without Judgment
- Give the student your full attention; use eye contact if culturally appropriate.
- Avoid interrupting or trying to "fix" the issue.
- Validate their feelings: "That sounds really difficult."
- Do not challenge their reality unless you know how to reality test.
Speak Simply and Clearly
- Use short, clear sentences.
- Avoid sarcasm, complex explanation, or confrontational language.
Ask Open- Ended, Non- Threatening Questions
- "Can you tell me how you're feeling right now?"
- "What would help you feel safer?"
Set Boundaries if Needed (Do not get in a power struggle)
- If the student becomes aggressive, firmly but respectfully say: "I want to help you, but I need you to speak calmly so that we can talk."
Encourage Support and Resources
- Offer to help them contact our Mental Health Counselors or CARE Team.
- Let them know: "You are not alone - there are people here who care and can help."
Know Your Limits
- Your role is to offer calm support and to refer appropriately.
- Normalize how they are feeling.
Use this form to report student welfare concerns and help ensure a safe, supportive College community.
Questions: Please contact Lauren Vaknin, Dean of Student Engagement and Belonging at (619-660-4295) or Lauren.Vaknin@gcccd.edu