91次元

group of students sitting outside on the ground in large circles

Dean of Students

The 91次元 CARES.

The Coordination, Assessment, Response, Education, and Support Team is a campus-wide team of appointed professionals responsible for identifying, assessing, and responding to serious concerns and/or disruptive behaviors by students who may threaten the health or safety of the campus community. This team was formerly known as the Behavioral Intervention Team. 

C.A.R.E.S.

Coordination: New referrals are reviewed by each member of the team prior to their weekly meeting. If a team member or the organization that they represent has prior knowledge of the student, they bring that information to the meeting in order to coordinate intervention strategies

Assessment: The team rates each student’s risk potential using an objective tool. UM’s team utilizes the . We also take student history, as well as their prior CARES(BIT) referrals into account when assessing their risk potential 

Response: the team suggests next steps and possible interventions to best support the student and campus community. In nearly all cases, every student referred to the CARES(BIT) team receives outreach from a dedicated case manager. In every case, the referring party will receive communication from a team member offering our support and guidance

Education: we work with members of the campus community to support students of concern. Students also have the ability to work with a case manager to develop skills, connect to resources, or to receive encouragement and guidance. Team members also receive professional development opportunities in order to better inform their work

Support: the CARES(BIT) team only removes a student from their agenda once we are reasonably confident that the student has succeeded in connecting to the correct resource, their behaviors have been addressed, their risk of harm to self or others has been mitigated, or they refuse services. We also hope to support the larger campus community in feeling safe and supported through our work  

How the CARES(BIT) Team Operates 

receives student of concern reports through their referral system. Students who are experiencing a moderate to critical level of concern are referred to the CARES(BIT) team. If a student is believed to have violated the student code of conduct, their case will be routed to the Office of Community Standards. 

The 3-Step CARES Process

  • The CARES(BIT) team reaches out to the student of concern and their support team members in order to gain a holistic sense of the student's needs.

  • The CARES(BIT) Team uses an objective tool, the NaBITA Risk Rubric, to rate the student's risk of harm to self or others.

  • The team suggests interventions or strategies to support the student. This may include: 

    • Outreach to staff or faculty to provide coaching and/or guidance 
    • Meeting with the student to suggest resources 
    • Working with the student to build skills
    • Ongoing case management services 
    • Administering non-clinical threat assessments 
    • Coordination with other campus partners

FAQs

  • Because our team knows that early intervention is always the best strategy, students with a “mild” risk level are still offered the opportunity to meet with a case manager to receive assistance. In some cases, a referring party just wants the CARES(BIT) team to be made aware of their emerging concerns for a student. Please visit the Dean of Student’s Office website for more information on how they support all students of concern.

    Please review our UM Faculty and Staff Guide for additional information on how to support a student of concern. 

  • Once your referral is routed the CARES(BIT) team, you and the student will be assigned to a case manager. That case manager will become your point of contact over the life of the case. You may contact them directly or submit an additional . There’s no wrong way to share information with us!

  • Students can only be sanctioned for behavioral concerns by the Office for Community Standards. If you refer a student and they have violated a policy, your referral will likely be routed directly to Community Standards. The CARES(BIT) team is responsible for risk assessment, intervention design, monitoring, and case management services.

    If a student is disruptive enough to impede teaching or learning, or if their behavior is impacting university operations, a university official may ask them to stop. If the behavior continues, please ask them to leave the classroom/office for the remainder of the day. If the student refuses, or the behavior escalates, contact UMPD. If the student’s behavior necessitates removal from the classroom, please immediately.

    Additional information on how to address behavioral concerns can be found in our UM Faculty and Staff Guide. 

  • Working with the CARES(BIT) team is usually not a mandate. It is the lowest level of intervention. However, if a student continues to demonstrate concerning behaviors, they may be asked to meet with the dean of students. A hold on the student's account may occur if they refuse to comply with the office's requests. 

  • Yes, you can. However, understand that our ability to help you or the student may be limited if we can not contact you for further details. You can share your preferences on the when you submit the report. If you believe that a student has violated the code of conduct, details of their alleged infraction(s) will be shared with them. 

  • It is the responsibility of faculty, staff, and students to report any situation that could possibly result in harm to anyone at the university. Disclosures to school officials who have legitimate educational interests in students do not violate . We also welcome referrals from community members or family and caregivers, but we can’t provide reciprocity in information sharing.  

  • Yes, in some cases. If you are a UM staff or faculty member with an educational interest in the student of concern, you may receive information regarding any proposed intervention strategies or outcomes. In fact, we may ask you to assist us at times. Please contact your assigned case manager if you have questions regarding the status of your referral.

  • Please continue to report your concerns. You can either reach out to your assigned case manager, or you can submit an additional . An ongoing pattern of concerning behaviors may indicate that the student requires a higher level of support or intervention. 

  • We believe that the name "91次元 CARES Team" better represents our work. The majority of the students referred to us receive compassionate outreach from one or more members of our team. While risk and threat assessments are at the core of what we do, most of our work entails supporting students through difficult times.