The Care Report is available to the UW Seattle community, and is offered by the Student Care Team.
Student Care Team
The mission of the University of Washington Student Care Team is to broadly connect case managers and case management of complex student issues for students who may:
- Express mental health issues;
- Need coordinated care and support from multiple offices and/or services;
- Require assistance in navigating University of Washington resources;
- Demonstrate behaviors that exceed the ability of services to provide their normal level of care or intervention.
Care Report
The Care Report is a portal that faculty, staff, and students can use to make a referral to the Student Care Team. The Care Report is an appropriate option if you have concerns about a student or situation but are unsure how to respond, who to contact, and/or you would benefit from consultation on how to support a student or respond to a classroom situation. CARE Reports are typically processed by the Student Care Team within 72 hours of receipt.
Reasons to submit a Care Report (includes but not limited to):
- Concern for student’s well-being
- Significant change in student’s behavior
- Disruptive behaviors of learning, living, or work environment
- A noticeable change from socially-appropriate behavior
- Disclosing distressing life circumstances (e.g., finances, family or relationship)
- Withdrawal from usual social interactions
- Significant decline in personal hygiene
- Substance use/abuse
What should go in a CARE Report?
Some general guidelines for the content of the report include:
- Clear spelling and grammar
- Focus on observed or described details
- Specific behaviors the student has engaged in
- Direct quotes from the student, if possible
Some other information that should be included if available includes:
- Student disposition during meeting
- Descriptions of physical signs of distress
- Description of emotional stressors
- Description of protective factors
- Details on next steps communicated to the student
- All other information gathered during meeting
- Attachments provided by a reporting party (emails, documents, photos, etc.)
A few things to consider when you are submitting your report:
- The report form will time out – if you are needing to draft a report, consider doing so in a word processor before submission
- Focus on observable behaviors
- This report is not confidential; the information you submit creates a student record, and is only reviewed by members of the Student Care Team
- If you are seeking a way to make a confidential report specifically regarding sexual misconduct, please see the LiveWell Confidential Advocates.
Who reviews these reports?
The Student Care Team reviews these reports. The purpose of the Student Care Team is to align resources at our large and decentralized university for the purposes of reducing the likelihood of disruption and/or increase students’ likelihood of success. The Student Care Team convenes a group of interdisciplinary professionals from across campus to regularly meet to complete this work.
Student Care Team standard follow-up:
- Assess a student’s well-being in terms of emotional, social, economic, familial, or medical issues that are affecting day-to-day living
- Explore contextual issues affecting student’s performance
- Respond in a caring, compassionate manner
- “Connect the dots” between disparate resources
- Provide consultation
- Make referrals to academic, social, and emotional support services
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I call 911?
If you have an emergency or concern about danger to yourself, others, or the campus community, please call the police immediately.
When should I call SafeCampus?
If you have a concern about threat of violence to self or others, or would like to consult about safety or threat assessment concerns, please call SafeCampus. Professionals trained in threat assessment, crisis response, and fear de-escalation are available at (206) 685-SAFE (7233).
When should I make a Title IX report?
Title IX is a federal gender equity law prohibiting sex and gender-based discrimination in education programs and activities. Sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence, and stalking are among the forms of discrimination UW policy prohibits.
Making an online Title IX report will connect a student with a Title IX case manager who will explain supportive measures and resolution options and provide referrals to additional resources. All UW staff, faculty, and students, as well as members of the public, are encouraged to share Title IX-related concerns through the online Title IX reporting form.
Who can fill out a Care Report and/or contact the Student Care Team?
Anyone (e.g., faculty, staff, and students) who has concerns about the well-being of a student.
What can I expect when I fill out a Care Report?
Knowledge that your concern(s) about a student’s well-being will be reviewed; a timely response when follow-up is warranted; and private consultation and guidance regarding your concern(s) if appropriate.
Will someone notify me about actions taken?
You will receive an email acknowledging that your report was submitted. Sometimes the Student Care Team will reach out to you to consult about developments or learn additional information from you. If you possess sensitive information that you are reluctant to put in the Student Care Report Form, indicate that someone should call you. Very often the Student Care Team will not be able to share specific information about outcomes or interventions for the student.
Does FERPA prevent me from talking to you?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. “Education records” are “those records, files documents, and other materials which 1) contain information directly related to a student; and 2) are maintained by an educational institution. (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(a)(4)(A); 34 CFR § 99.3). Generally speaking, FERPA allows you to disclose information from education records, including personally identifiable information from education records (e.g., student’s name or student ID number) to members of the Student Care Team because there is a business need to know and members of the Student Care Team regularly have access to this type of information in the course of doing their jobs.
Who is on the Student Care Team?
The core Student Care Team is made up of representatives from the following offices: Community Standards & Student Conduct, the Counseling Center, Disability Resources for Students, , LiveWell, the Office of the Vice President for Student Life, Residential Life, SafeCampus, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, the Graduate School, Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, Center for International Relations and Cultural Leadership Exchange (CIRCLE), Title IX, and UWPD.