CARE Team

The Community Assistance and Risk Evaluation (CARE) Team is a university-wide network of staff and administrators dedicated to supporting students experiencing academic, medical, personal, or other challenges that may impact their well-being, success, or ability to engage with the university.

Through collaboration across campus, the CARE Team reviews concerns, assesses levels of risk and support needs, and coordinates appropriate responses to help students access resources and support. Using a proactive and collaborative approach, the team works to identify concerns early, connect students with meaningful assistance, and promote a safe and healthy campus community.

Concerned for a Student? Submit a Referral

Creating a supportive campus community depends on all of us. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to submit a CARE Referral when they have concerns about a student’s well-being, safety, or ability to engage with the university.

When submitting a referral, please provide as much relevant information as possible, including specific examples or observations that help the CARE Team better understand the concern and determine appropriate next steps.

Care Team Referral Form

Please note that the CARE Referral form is not intended for emergency situations. If there is an immediate threat to a student’s safety or well-being, or if urgent assistance is needed, please contact University Police at 978.665.3111 at any time, day or night.

If you are unsure whether submitting a CARE Referral is the appropriate next step, or would like to discuss a concern before submitting a referral, please contact the Office of CARE and Case Management at care@fitchburgstate.edu or 978.665.3880. Our team can help you determine the best way to support the student.

When Should I Submit a CARE Referral?

A CARE Referral may be submitted when you have concerns about a student’s well-being, safety, or ability to engage with the University. Referrals help the CARE Team identify students who may benefit from additional support, resource connection, or coordinated outreach.

You do not need to determine the level of risk or know what resources a student may need before submitting a referral. If something about a student’s behavior, circumstances, communication, or overall well-being causes concern, sharing that information allows the CARE Team to review the situation and determine appropriate next steps.

Common examples of concerns that may be referred to the CARE Team include:

• Academic Concerns – Concerns about significant changes in a student’s academic engagement, attendance, or performance, particularly when barriers or circumstances may be impacting the student’s ability to succeed. 
• Basic Needs and Financial Concerns – Information indicating that a student may be experiencing challenges accessing essential resources such as food, housing, transportation, or other basic needs. 
• Medical and Mental Health Concerns - Concerns related to a student’s physical or mental health that may be impacting their well-being, safety, or ability to participate in the University environment. 
• Dangerous Behavior – Behavior or statements that raise concern about a potential risk to the safety of the student or others and do not require an immediate response from University Police. 
• Disruptive Behavior – Behavior that significantly interferes with the educational, residential, or co-curricular environment or university operations. 
• Distressed Behavior – Behavior, communication, or other information indicating that a student may be experiencing significant emotional distress, difficulty coping, or other challenges affecting their well-being. 
• General Concerns – Concerns about a student’s behavior, appearance, engagement, or overall well-being that do not fit within another category but cause concern. 
• Missing Student Concerns – Concerns when a student has been missing for a period of time or when there is a significant and unexplained change from their typical attendance, communication, or behavior.

What Happens After a CARE Referral is Submitted?

Your referral will be reviewed by the CARE Team to better understand the concern and determine appropriate next steps. A CARE Team member may contact you for additional information or clarification if needed.

The CARE Team will make every effort to respond to referrals, provide updates when appropriate, and communicate any additional information needed from the reporting party. Due to privacy considerations, specific details about a student’s situation or outcome may not be able to be shared.

If you have questions, concerns, or would like to discuss your referral further, please contact the Office of CARE and Case Management at care@fitchburgstate.edu or 978.665.3880.

Additional Resource

• Red Folder