Historically, the start of the semester sees a steady increase in referrals to the CARE Team, with a slight spike between weeks four and eight. As students begin their semester, they may face academic difficulties, resulting in increased absences and deteriorating quality of work. These types of concerns are what the CARE Team predicts to see in February.
During January, the CARE Team worked with 59 students referred for support. Though January did not see a spike in CARE Team referrals, the case management team from Student Outreach & Support (SOS) worked with students expressing more elevated concerns, such as direct statements indicating distress, expressions of hopelessness and reporting basic needs not being met. These concerns included seven students who were hospitalized in January for health-related purposes. These seven students received wraparound support and care coordination from SOS, ensuring a smooth transition back to campus for courses. Historical data shows that CARE Team referrals in February often double what is seen in January, with academics being the top concern (e.g., repeated absences, deterioration in the quality of work, disorganized performance, etc.). Knowing this, the CARE Team can prepare for an influx of referrals and will continue to work closely with different departments to support students academically.
If you have any questions regarding services the CARE Team offers students, contact the university’s case management team, SOS, at 316-978-6112.
