CARE Team

The CARE Team comprises subject-matter experts from various campus departments dedicated to helping students of concern remain successful in and out of the classroom. CARE Team members have experience in law enforcement, threat assessment, physical and mental health, human resources, housing and residence life, university operations and student affairs.

Anyone is welcome to submit a CARE referral. Those submitting a report are often faculty, staff, students or parents. A CARE referral should NOT be used for emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call UNC Pembroke Police and Public Safety at 910.521.6235 for on-campus emergencies or 911 for off-campus emergencies.

Anyone can report concerning, disruptive or threatening behaviors to the CARE Team by submitting a CARE referral using the online reporting form.

Reports can be submitted anonymously. However, we prefer to have the reporter's contact information to follow up, gather additional information, etc.

Submit a CARE Referral

All university community members are essential in helping others get the assistance they need to succeed. There may be signs indicating that a person is experiencing personal challenges and would benefit from support.

Examples of the types of behaviors sometimes exhibited by distressed individuals that should be referred to the CARE Team include:

• Extreme anxiety
• Prolonged and significant difficulty with the demands of college
• Tearfulness, frequent crying
• Loss of temper or outbursts of anger
• Destructive behavior, including self-injurious behavior
• Displays of physical and/or domestic violence
• Expressions of self-blame, guilt or shame
• Extreme sadness or depression
• Deteriorating classroom performance
• Disruptiveness, overly confrontational, aggression with disregard for others
• Impulsiveness without giving thought to the consequences of actions
• Withdrawing from or avoiding others, isolating
• Expressionless face
• References to suicide, along with statements of hopelessness and helplessness
• Speaking or writing that is violent, seems bizarre or is out of touch with reality.
• Violent fantasy content, expression of dark or jarring themes or images
• Fascination with weapons
• Homicidal ideation
• Stalking
• Non-compliance or disciplinary matters
• Interest in previous shooting situations
• Victim/martyr self-concept, allusions of grandeur  
• Paranoia
• Violence or cruelty
• Recent police contact
• Unusual interest in police, military, terrorist activities and materials
• Excessive use of drugs and/or alcohol
• Recent and dramatic life changes, including changes in personality, eating habits, hygiene/appearance and/or sleep patterns
• Publishing a video or communicating a plan of harm to self or others     

Presentation of these behaviors in isolation may or may not indicate a more serious problem. Sharing information with the CARE Team may assist in analyzing a pattern of behaviors that may benefit from intervention and support. 

The behavior of distressed individuals may come to your attention in a variety of ways, including:

• Direct observation of the behavior in the classroom, including in written form through assignments
• Direct observation of the behavior outside of the classroom, including such places as the residence halls, library, cafeteria or student activities and events
• Reports regarding online or social media platforms via posts, blog entries, Tweets, etc.
• Reports from other students, roommates, faculty, staff or other members of the university community, including family members
• Direct communication with the individual via in-person conversations, email or phone calls/messages
   

Keep in Mind:

• Even with a CARE Team, this team's actions and responsibilities differ from those of emergency responders or the police. Some behaviors require immediate emergency assistance. If an incident is an immediate threat to self or others, please contact UNC Pembroke Police and Public Safety at 910.521.6235 for on-campus emergencies or 911 for off-campus emergencies.
• The list of behaviors provided is not exhaustive or inclusive of all behaviors that should be reported but is intended to be a useful educational resource or guide.

You do not have to make this determination; the CARE Team will do it for you. The most crucial step is to report your concern to the CARE Team by submitting a CARE referral form. If another campus resource is more appropriate, the CARE Team will refer the student and coordinate continuity of care and proper case management documentation.

When a CARE referral is submitted, the CARE Team decides upon the most appropriate person to contact a student of concern. This can often be accomplished without mentioning the details of the CARE referral. Sometimes, a student will be asked to meet directly with the case manager of the CARE Team or another member of the CARE Team. 

The CARE Team seeks to connect students to the department(s) that will provide the best resource(s). Trainers review CARE referrals during normal business hours to assess and act. The CARE Team case manager conducts an initial assessment of every CARE referral. In many cases, the outcome of the initial assessment is to offer support and resources to either the individual who reports the concern, the student of concern or both. Each situation is different and requires an individualized approach.

The CARE Team often collaborates with the reporting party and other campus and community resources if appropriate. The reporting party will be informed, as applicable, of the situation concerning the privacy of all parties involved. While maintaining privacy is the CARE Team’s goal, please be aware that reports and other communication may be subject to review as outlined in federal and state laws. 

The CARE Team will make every effort to get back to you; however, we must maintain the student's privacy-specific laws that may keep us from sharing details about our follow-up with you. 

Only CARE Team members know the names of students of concern and are given details relevant to effectively supporting these students. If you submit a CARE referral regarding a student already identified to the CARE Team, your information will be added to the previously existing CARE referral(s). Each CARE referral provides a unique perspective that is likely to assist in identifying the most appropriate resource and support strategy for each student.

Upon pressing "submit," you will be redirected to a page that will thank you for your submission. If you do not receive this message, please contact the CARE Team case manager to report the problem. In certain circumstances, you may be contacted to provide additional information about your referral. If you have not been contacted and received the submission message, rest assured that your report will be reviewed and acted upon. If you want an update on the student to whom you submitted a CARE referral, please contact the CARE Team case manager coordinator at 910.775.4180. However, we must maintain the student's privacy; some laws may keep us from sharing details about our follow-up with you. 

Yes. A CARE referral can be submitted for any student (graduate or undergraduate) at UNC Pembroke.

The CARE Team's mission is to provide proactive and supportive consultation, assessment, response and education. It does not address disciplinary issues or mete out sanctions.  

We can never promise confidentiality when safety is an issue, but we will try to treat each case with discretion and privacy. University officials may be required to report situations involving threats to safety. Although you can submit a CARE referral and request anonymity, it is important to note students may realize you submitted a CARE referral through less direct ways (i.e., details related to that incident, information only shared by the student with one person on campus).

Members of the CARE Team are available to provide education, resources and training to UNC Pembroke students, staff and faculty. Departments, clubs, organizations, teams and others are encouraged to request our consultation and training services.