Care Team
The Care Team is a multidisciplinary team that meets regularly to evaluate behaviors by college students that are perceived to be threatening, harming or disruptive to the student, to others or to both and coordinate an appropriate response.
Emergencies
The Care Team does not respond directly to emergencies. If a student and/or situation requires immediate or emergency assistance, contact: Campus Public Safety at (802) 865-6465 or call 911.
You may also contact:
Title IX & Sexual Misconduct Team: titleix@champlain.edu or
Bias Education & Response Team: biasresponse@champlain.edu
Who should be referred to the Care Team?
Faculty, staff, friends and family are frequently in a position to observe student behaviors that indicate distress or potentially compromised personal wellbeing. If you have a concern about a student who is displaying behaviors that may interfere with the student’s ability to be successful in the college environment, please let the Care Team know. You should also contact the Care Team if you are concerned that a student’s behavior or wellbeing are negatively impacting those around them.
Common Signs of Distress
Academic
- Repeated absences and/or decline in work quality or performance.
- Work including disturbing content and/or themes of despair, suicide, violence, or aggression.
- Multiple requests for extensions or incomplete work.
Physical
- Appearing sick or excessively tired.
- Marked changes in appearance.
- Noticeable change in mental state or intoxication.
- Behavior that doesn’t match contact or setting.
Inter/Intrapersonal
- Direct comments about distress, hopelessness, feeling overwhelmed, or destructive behavior.
- Signs of hopelessness/worthlessness
- Self-injurious, destructive, or harmful behavior.
- Implied/direct threats to self or others.
- Peers expressing concern.
What happens after I submit a referral?
Referrals to the Care Team are received and reviewed within one business day of submission. You may or may not be contacted to provide any additional information. Please know that any delay in contacting the source of the referral does not indicate a delay in the referral being acted upon.
Suggestions for how to discuss your concerns with a student:
| Action | Recommendation | What Could You Say? |
| Say what you see | Be open and describe what you’ve noticed. Avoid making judgments or assumptions. Sometimes you won’t see overt signs of distress yet you’ll still be aware of things that may be distressing to a student. | “I wanted to check in as I’ve noticed_________, and wanted to see if you want to talk about it.” |
| Show you care | By asking what they need help with, you can gain their trust and direct them in the appropriate direction. Showing you care about a student can leave them with a great impression and increase the likelihood they will reach out for help. | “I care about you and wanted to check in on how you’re doing. How can I be most helpful to you?” |
| Hear them out | Be a supportive and available presence for students who may be struggling. Instead of giving unsolicited advice, mindfully listen to them. Acknowledge difficult emotions/situations and try to instill hope that things will get better. | “That seems like a hard situation to be in. What has that been like for you?” |
| Know your role | Share your desire to connect the student to Collegere resources. Let the student know you’ll be submitting a Care Team referral. Contact CPS if you need help. Your safety, and that of our students and community, is our top priority. | “I’m sorry you’re going through this, and thank you for sharing this info with me…” or“What you’re feeling and experiencing is valid and I want to help you make things better…” |
| Connect to help | You can help students navigate the resources available to them by showing them where to seek help or who to speak to. Submitting a non-urgent Care Team Referral can help a student gain access to campus supports and resources. | “I appreciate you being so open with me, and I want to make sure you can get the kind of help you may need.” or“You might find ____ a helpful and comforting resource. Can I help you connect with them?” |
Care Team Resource Guide
The Care Team has created a resource guide to help community members recognize, respond to, and refer students in distress.
The information included in the guide is also displayed on this webpage. Champlain takes pride in its tight-knit, supportive, and compassionate community seeking to uplift the health, respect, and success of all. Students want to know you care about them and what kind of support they can expect from you and the College. You may download the guide linked below or read through the resources in the sections below.
Tips from the Counseling Center
If you are witnessing a student in crisis or distress, this guidance from the Champlain College Counseling Center will help you determine next steps and what to do when encountering these difficult situations.
Counseling Center TipsSubmit a Care Team Referral
Now that you’ve learned more about the Care Team, we encourage you to submit a referral if you are concerned about a student.
Submit a Care Team ReferralMore Resources
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center offers a variety of services and resources in Skiff Hall. Schedule an appointment or contact our 24/7 on-call counselor.
Campus Public Safety
The safety of our community is top priority. Campus Public Safety (CPS) is available 24/7 and can be reached at (802) 865-6465.
Wellbeing Overview
Champlain is committed to providing the highest quality of wellbeing support to all students, from counseling and health services to fitness activities, academic support, and social engagement.