Assistance & Care Team (ACT)

 

Assistance & Care Team

Green River College's Assistance and Care Team (ACT) is a campus-wide initiative to help faculty, staff, and students recognize, respond effectively to, and refer students experiencing distress. 

In order to promote the safety and health of all Green River College students, the Assistance & Care Team (ACT) receives, evaluates, and addresses student behavior that is concerning, and coordinates the resources of the college to intervene and provide necessary supports. Our mission is to provide safe and dignified spaces for students experiencing distress.

---

What and When to Report

Are you worried about the health and safety of a student? Are you witnessing a student struggle academically or personally? Are you unsure of how to assist? There is help - and it begins with sharing information with Green River’s Assistance & Care Team.

Bottom Line: Report any behavior that causes you concern or may make others feel unsafe, even if you are not sure or just want the information to be documented. If you’re asking, “should I submit a report?” -- YES! Please submit a report!
 

Submit a Report Here*
 

*The Assistance & Care Team does not respond directly to emergencies. Reports will be reviewed during normal business hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

IF THERE IS IMMEDIATE RISK TO LIFE OR PROPERTY, Please Call 911, Then Campus Safety (253-288-3350)

---

What Happens After I Make a Report?

The Assistance & Care Team approach seeks to connect students to the proper department(s) that will provide the best resource(s). ACT reports are reviewed during normal business hours by people who are trained to assess and act. The Assistance & Care Team conducts an initial assessment on every report. In many cases, the outcome of the initial assessment is simply to offer support and resources to either the individual who reports the concern, the person of concern, or both.

We will collaborate with the person making the report and with other campus and community resources, if appropriate. In some cases, a more in-depth analysis may occur before the Care Team can determine next steps of intervention. The reporting party will be kept informed, as appropriate, of the situation while mindful of the privacy of all parties involved.

If there is a concern for safety, the Assistance & Care Team can help those who report to contact the appropriate on- and off-campus support and resources. While maintaining privacy is the Assistance & Care Team’s goal, please be aware that reports and other communication may be subject to review as outlined in federal and state laws and college policy. The campus does not tolerate retaliation.

If there is a potential threat, the Assistance & Care Team provides guidance and recommendations to the appropriate individuals to mitigate or manage the threat. The Assistance & Care Team retains all reported information to assist in identifying potential behavioral patterns.

---

Recognize Signs of Distress

A student in distress may not be disruptive to others but may exhibit behaviors, which indicate something is wrong, show signs of emotional distress, and indicate that assistance is needed. The student may also be reluctant or unable to acknowledge a need for personal help. Look for groupings, frequency, and severity of behaviors, not just isolated symptoms.

Safety

• Implied intent to harm self or others
• Unprovoked anger, hostility, or physical violence (e.g., shoving, grabbing, assaulting, use of weapon)
• Academic assignments dominated by themes of extreme hopelessness, helplessness, isolation, rage, despair, violence, self-injury
• Reckless, disorderly, or dangerous conduct
• Making threats or disturbing comments via email, text, phone calls - STOP! Call Campus Safety, or if imminent, call 911
• Verbal or written intent to harm self or others - STOP! Call Campus Safety, or if imminent, call 911
• Stalking or harassing - STOP! Report to Campus Safety and/or submit a Title IX report.

Physical/Behavioral

• Increased illness
• Marked changes in physical appearance (e.g., poor hygiene, sudden weight gain/loss)
• Uncharacteristic behavior indicating loss of contact with reality
• Visibly intoxicated or smelling of alcohol or cannabis
• Rapid speech or excessively anxious or erratic behavior
• Excessive fatigue or sleeping in class
• Observable signs of injury (e.g., facial bruising or cuts)
• New behavior that is a significant change from what you've witnessed in the past, and/or is disruptive

Academic

• Sudden decline in academic performance
• Frequently missing classes or assignments
• Excessive absences, especially if the student has previously demonstrated consistent attendance
• Disturbing content in writing or presentations
• Monopolizing class discussion
• Disrupting class (e.g., yelling or cursing)
• Confrontations with peers or instructor
• Repeated requests for special consideration (e.g., deadline extensions, changes in requirements, grade changes)

Psychological/Interpersonal

• Self-disclosure of family problems, financial difficulties, or other personal distress
• Unusual or disproportionate emotional response to situations
• Excessive tearfulness
• Panic reactions
• Uncharacteristically troubled, confused, anxious, irritable, sad, hopeless
• Peers expressing concern for student

---

Respond to the Situation

Help students in distress access Green River college's support network with these referral tips.

---

Refer Appropriately