Author: Katie Davidson

Historically, August is a month of transition, with students typically experiencing homesickness and trying to make friends and campus connections. This past month, CARE Team case managers worked with 76 students whose top concerns were distress, basic needs not being met and expressions of hopelessness, fear or worthlessness. Receiving 76 referrals in August is an appropriate reflection of the number of referrals seen over the last three academic years, as the average number of referrals in August is 75. However, one major change that was identified was the severity of student concerns.

The concerns shared above may not sound severe, but the follow-up care that took place shows their severity. In August, nine student transports took place, including students being transported for mental health or medical reasons. These levels of concern are historically what the CARE Team sees around weeks seven through eight of the semester but were occurring in the second and third weeks of students being on campus. When a student is transported to a higher level of care, the case managers for CARE Team work to coordinate services for the student post discharge. This includes setting up supports on campus, coordinating with professors and coordinating services within the community to ensure safety and wellbeing of the student.

In September 2023, the CARE Team saw a drastic increase in referrals as more students responded to wellness surveys and check-ins from staff and faculty, requesting that the CARE Team connect with them to offer support. Knowing this information, the CARE Team can predict that it will likely see a large increase in the number of referrals made to the office, and the severity of student concerns will continue to be present throughout the month of September. If you have any questions regarding CARE Team referrals or are interested in learning about trend observed throughout the semester, contact the CARE Team at 316-978-3149.

Here are ways you can help:

• If you see something, say something. Concerning behaviors should be shared with the appropriate offices so the student can receive support and barriers can be addressed. The CARE report can be found on the CARE Team website.
• Attend a CARE Team training. In these trainings, participants discuss the concerning behaviors that take place on WSU’s campus and coach staff and faculty on how to engage in those difficult conversations.
• Reach out. If you have questions, the CARE Team is happy to discuss your concerns and share how it can support you.

CARE Team case managers worked a total of 30 CARE cases for the month of July. The top three concerns reported in July were students experiencing distress, lack of access to basic needs and family concerns. These top concerns mirrored the top concerns reported in June. CARE Team observed that housing instability and food insecurity during the summer months have been the top barriers to student success and among the top concerns that have been voiced. The CARE Team case managers from the Office of Student Outreach & Support worked to refer students to campus and community resources to help address these barriers. The top community referral was United Way, addressing housing and shelter options available to students, as well as identifying food resources close in proximity to the student that they could utilize. When addressing these concerns, case managers would assess the student holistically, assessing why these were barriers such as lack of financial support, needing employment or other factors outside of their control. Out of the 30 students referred to the CARE Team in July, only six declined in-person meetings and were provided resource information through the phone or email source.

As the fall semester approaches, CARE Team is prepared to continue addressing the ongoing housing and food needs for students and providing coordination of care. Historically, the needs of students in the month of August are centered around belonging, homesickness and adjusting to college life. CARE Team will continue to support students with barriers to success by addressing the concerns and challenges that lay ahead for students. As students arrive for the fall 2024 semester, remember CARE Team is here to support not only students, but also faculty and staff in addressing student concerns. If you have questions regarding resources available on campus or within the community, give the office a call at 316-978-3149 or contact the case management office, Student Outreach & Support, at 316-978-6112.

CARE Team had a total of 27 CARE cases for the month of June. In comparing June 2023 and June 2024, the number of cases were similar with no major spikes or drops in incoming cases. The top three concerns reported were students experiencing distress, lack of access to basic needs and family concerns.

Within one-on-one meetings with case managers, 40% of the cases referred to CARE Team disclosed housing instability, food insecurity or familial concerns relating to barriers to meeting their basic needs. CARE Team connected students to campus resources such as the Shocker Support Locker and community resources such as United Way, food pantries and hygiene closets. Overall, CARE Team case managers provided 124 electronic outreaches (78 emails, 46 texts) and 57 phone calls in the month of June to students, ensuring resources were provided and needs were met.

CARE Team can predict the number of CARE cases for July will stay close in number; however, CARE Team has seen an increase in the number of first year, first time freshmen reaching out to coordinate services for the fall 2024 semester. CARE Team can assume this is related to interactions at freshman orientation over the summer. Knowing this, it can predict July CARE Team cases will have a higher population of freshmen requesting services.

If you have questions regarding services CARE Team can provide or would like to know of helpful campus or community resources to share with students, reach out to CARE Team member Katie Davidson, director of student outreach & support, at katie.davidson@wichita.edu or 316-978-6122

CARE Team had a total of 31 CARE cases for the month of May. Though there was an 11.43% decrease in the number of cases from May 2023 to May 2024, in comparing actual numbers May 2024 only had three less CARE cases compared to the previous year (31 cases compared to 34 cases).

The top concerns reported during the month included academic concerns and financial concerns. Academic concerns were related to not passing courses and stress of finals. CARE Team case managers communicated with academic advisors, student conduct and professors to communicate best supportive actions for these students. The financial concerns students reported were related to finding employment for the summer and finances to pay for fall 2024. Common resources discussed were Handshake, Scholarship Universe and Financial Wellness programs.

Overall, CARE’s case managers provided 244 electronic outreaches (211 emails and 33 texts) in the month of May to students, ensuring resources were provided and needs were met prior to students leaving for the summer. CARE Team can predict the number of CARE cases will decrease during the month of June; however, CARE will continue to meet with students during the summer as needs arise.

CARE Team saw a 22% increase in the number of students referred during the month of April, totaling 108 students. This time of year, it is common to have students anxious over their academics with finals fast approaching and the stress of graduation just around the corner.

The top three concerns reported to CARE were students’ work deteriorating in quality, facing repeated absences and disclosing distress to their professors. This time of year, those concerns are typically common. However, over half of the reports submitted to CARE Team were for students classified as freshmen. As case managers provided outreach, these freshmen disclosed being overwhelmed with their courses, struggling with time management and trying to make up coursework from earlier in the semester.

Case managers were able to work with campus supports such as CAPS, Housing and Residence Life, academic advisors and success coaches in providing wrap around support to these students to help them finish the semester strong.

Though the semester is ending, CARE Services are still available to WSU students throughout the summer. As staff and faculty, if you would like more information about the ways CARE Team’s case managers can work with your students, view the case management page to learn who is assigned to your academic college.