The Kentucky Wesleyan CAREs (Communication, Action, Response, and Education) Team exists to assist with any situation that could potentially disrupt a student’s success. We hope to intervene early, when possible, to help support the student.
Often, students who are experiencing challenges in one aspect of their lives also struggle in other areas. For example, a student who is having a roommate issue may be suffering academically as a result. A student who is under great stress academically may act out in unhealthy ways in their social lives.
The purpose of our cross-collaboration within the CAREs Team is to connect different pieces of information about students who are experiencing difficulties to have a larger context for what is happening in students’ lives. This, in turn, allows for better consultation with students to refer them to the most appropriate resources. Maximizing student success and student persistence to graduation is our goal.
Three important reasons to share your concerns
Earlier Intervention: Often, a quick response to provide a distressed student/friend with timely resources will ensure that the student remains successful academically and socially. Late intervention often involves missed classes, isolation from friends and family, possible withdrawal from school and an overall interruption in the student’s experience.
Connecting the Dots: Our goal is to connect concerns we receive from across campus. This allows us to provide a greater level of support for each student involved. Each piece of information helps to paint a picture that we can then respond to effectively.
We Care, You Care: Making a referral shows that you care enough to get the student the help they need. It means you are not prepared to let a student fall through the cracks. It means that the Kentucky Wesleyan College community loves and supports one another.
Steps to take NOW before/after sharing your concerns
Before or after sharing a referral with us, consider these steps:
Let Us Help: Consult with the Dean of Students (270-852-3285) or Student Success Center (270-852-3220) on resources and options for success. Update us on how the student is doing and whether things are getting better/worse?
Talk to the Student: Share your concerns privately and objectively. Let them know you care about them. Ask them open questions and encourage a dialogue about possible first steps.
Offer to Connect the Student Directly: If there is a resource the student might benefit from, offer to connect them directly. Walk them to the office or person that can help, introduce them personally, and stay with them while they seek assistance. Also, you can email the service directly and include the student – make it a personal connection that the student will find easier to use.
Follow-up with the Student: Set up a plan for checking in with the student – plan to meet later the next day or the next week; establish lunch or coffee plans;
When to share a concern
Students, Faculty, Parents, and others are strongly encouraged to share with us when they have significant concerns about a student’s well-being. Concerns can be about any aspect of a student’s life.
Examples of concerning behaviors
Academic Performance or Attendance:
- Excessive Absences
- Lack of Participation
- Missing Homework or Quizzes
- Low test grades
- Didn’t register for classes
Behavior (Classroom):
- Disruptive behavior in the classroom
- Excessive Tardiness
- Sleeping in class
Behavior (Outside of the Classroom):
- Excessive use or reliance on alcohol/other drugs
- Lack of personal hygiene or self-care (showering, room cleanliness)
- Extreme fatigue, exhaustion
- Frequent or chronic illness
Mental Health:
- Comments about suicide or harm to others
- Socially withdrawn, isolated, lack of communication with anyone around them
- Direct statements of distress (“I’m really struggling”)
- Significant change in overall mood
- Angry or hostile outbursts, yelling or aggressive comments
- Appears over-anxious or extremely distressed, panic attacks
- Excessively demanding or dependent behavior
- Refusing help and unwilling to respond to outreach
Personal Circumstance:
- Trouble on their athletic team
- Roommate or Relationship Issues
- Death of a family member, friend, or pet
- Lack of connection or involvement on campus
- Expressed intent to withdraw or transfer from KWC
- Change in finances (loss of jobs, parents have lost job)
- Housing or Food Insecurity
Submit a referral
Use this form to share concerns you may have about a Kentucky Wesleyan College student’s academic performance, health, well-being, or behavior. This information will be shared with the CARES team and can be used to link a student with resources to assist them. This is a non-disciplinary process and should not be confused with a KWC Student Conduct Incident Report or Title IX Complaint Submission.
IMPORTANT: This form is for non-emergency referrals only. If any person may be in danger, call 911 immediately. Before using this form, call the Counseling Center (270-852-3183) in reference to any situation involving direct statements or actions suggesting that a student has plans to harm themselves or someone else.
What Happens Next: Referrals are typically reviewed within 1-2 business days of submission. Not every referral results in outreach to the student involved. Direct outreach often depends on the nature of the concerns shared and any collateral or historical information that may be available. If a student is already connected with appropriate resources, direct outreach might not occur. Any outreach to a student is non-confrontational and designed to help the student navigate any additional strategies and resources that may be useful. The CARES team works with a range of campus partners for outreach, when warranted.