USM’s Collaboration, Assistance, Response, and Education (CARE) Team

Mission Statement

The University of Southern Maine CARE Team is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive campus community by proactively identifying and assisting students of concern. Through collaborative assessment, coordinated intervention, and ongoing education, the CARE Team connects students to resources that promote well-being, academic success, and personal development while supporting the safety of the broader university community.

What is CARE?

The University of Southern Maine CARE Team exists to promote a safe, supportive, and responsive campus environment by identifying, assessing, and addressing students of concern through a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. Grounded in the best practices established by NaBITA, the CARE Team serves as a central hub for early intervention, risk assessment, and holistic student support.

The CARE Team prioritizes proactive engagement rather than reactive response, recognizing that early identification of academic, behavioral, emotional, or social concerns can significantly improve student outcomes. By fostering collaboration across academic affairs, student affairs, health and counseling services, and campus safety, the team ensures that concerns are addressed thoughtfully, consistently, and equitably.

Through structured assessment tools, regular case review meetings, and clearly defined protocols, the CARE Team evaluates reported concerns to determine appropriate levels of risk and intervention. The team balances student well-being with community safety, utilizing a case management model that emphasizes support, connection to resources, and ongoing follow-up.

The CARE Team also plays a critical educational role within the university community. By increasing awareness of concerning behaviors, reducing stigma around help-seeking, and equipping faculty, staff, and students with tools to respond appropriately, the team strengthens the institution’s overall capacity for care.

Ultimately, the CARE Team reflects the University of Southern Maine’s commitment to student success, retention, and well-being by ensuring that no student in distress goes unnoticed or unsupported.

Behaviors of Concern; signs that may indicate a student is in distress

  • Direct statements indicating distress, family problems and/or loss
  • Angry or hostile outbursts, yelling, or aggressive comments/behavior
  • More withdrawn or animated than usual or in past
  • Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness; crying or tearfulness
  • Expressions of severe anxiety or irritability
  • Excessively demanding or dependent behavior
  • Lack of response to outreach from instructors, professors or other staff
  • Shakiness, tremors, fidgeting, or pacing
  • Deterioration in physical appearance, personal hygiene, or personal space
  • Excessive fatigue, exhaustion; falling asleep in class repeatedly
  • Visible changes in weight; statements about change in appetite or sleep
  • Noticeable cuts, bruises, burns, or self-injury
  • Frequent or chronic illness
  • Disorganized, rapid, or slurred speech or confusion
  • Unusual inability to make eye contact
  • Attending class, lab or events bleary-eyed, smelling of alcohol or marijuana
  • Violent or aggressive behavior or threats directed at self, others, animals, property, etc.
  • Statements indicating the person will be going away for a long time or no need to put up with them much longer, etc., suicide ideation, or attempt

There is no wrong way to connect with CARE; a hunch or gut-level reaction that something is not right is often the first warning sign! Please contact a member of CARE whenever you feel a student may be in distress.

To refer a concern to CARE/BIT, contact any member of the Team or click here to fill out a Student of Concern Report.

CARE/BIT Members: