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HARRT Team

Related Information

HARRT (High at Risk Response Triage) Team

Cuyamaca College

The HARRT 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.

 

HARRT Team Process

A HARRT Team referral (through Maxient) is submitted when someone is concerned about a Cuyamaca College student.

 

The HARRT 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 HARRT referral is closed.
  • The HARRT Team Case Manager will reach out to the person who referred the case prior to closing the referral.

Use this form to report student welfare concerns and help ensure a safe, supportive College community.

 

Report a Concern

 

 

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 HARRT 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.

 

Questions: Please contact Lauren Vaknin, Dean of Student Engagement and Belonging at (619-660-4295) or Lauren.Vaknin@gcccd.edu