Assessment and Care Team | Whatcom Community College

Whatcom Community College

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Purpose

The purpose of the Assessment and Care Team (ACT) is to coordinate efforts to support and assist students in crisis, including students engaged in harmful or disruptive behaviors, as well as community members affected by these students’ behaviors. The ACT typically meets weekly to review reports, share appropriate information, develop support strategies and coordinate resources for students.

Members

The ACTis a cross-departmental team of staff who are able to address the various needs of a student in crisis.

Joshua-Mishra Davis, Community Standards Manager

Lisa Forsythe, Director for Access and Disability

KayCee Johnson, Executive Director for Human Resources, Deputy Title IX Coordinator

Rocky Vernola, Director for Campus Safety & Security

Kerri Holferty, Interim Vice President for Student Services

Patrick Blaine, Dean for Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Paul Curd, Faculty Counselor

Tawny Townsend, Director for Academic Advising and Career Services

Reporting - Know Your D's

When trying to make a determination between reporting to the ACT or the Conduct Office:

You do not have to worry about making the right decision. We will make a determination at the time of submittal, and route the report to the correct office. Often, cases are complex and are appropriate for both processes.
Most often, cases go to the ACT when there is not a clear violation of the conduct code, but the student is still presenting concerning behavior.

When not to report:

Disciplinary/Disruptive

If a student is disrupting the regular flow of business or breaking the conduct code WITHOUT any of the other behavioral issues, you may either take care of the situation yourself or report to the Office of Community Standards for a conduct hearing.

When to report:

Disruptive/Distressed

When a student is disrupting the environment AND appears to be excessively angry, sad, upset, or confused (out of the norm).

Disturbed/Dangerous
When a student is disrupting the environment AND appears to be having thoughts or actions associated with harm to self or others (whether direct or not).

Procedure

During ACT meetings, the group shares all known information about the student, makes a determination about whether there needs to be a behavioral intervention, and makes a support plan for next steps. A support person is assigned to the student, who will track the support plan through its completion.

The incident reporting form goes to both the Office of Community Standards and ACT.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits communication about a student of concern under the following circumstances:

WCC may disclose personal identifiable information from an “educational record” to appropriate individuals in a health and safety emergency. Information may be released to emergency contacts, police, or others, if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or others. Information can be shared with College personnel when there is a specific need to know. Casual observations of a student’s conduct or statements made by a student are not “educational records” and are not protected by FERPA.

Resources