TTUHSC CARE Team
Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (CARE) Team
CARE Team is a multidisciplinary group that identifies, assesses, and responds to students of concern by coordinating support and resources to promote student well-being and campus safety.
CARE Team Goals
- Provide support for students struggling with behavioral and emotional difficulties
- Support connections to medical and counseling services to students who are in need
- Increase the retention rate of higher-risk students through supportive measures
- Encourage student connection to personal support systems including parents and family members
- Ease the burden faculty members may encounter when interacting with students in need of support
Referring to the CARE Team
To refer a student, submit an online CARE Team referral. Referrals can be made by faculty, staff or students. Referrals are reviewed by the CARE Team to assess concerns and coordinate appropriate support and resources.
When in doubt, refer to care.
Your information
- Name
- Role/ title
- Phone number
- Email address
Student information
- Name
- R#
- Contact information
- School program
Concern details
- Date
- Location
- Brief description
Attachments (optional)
- Emails
- Photos
- Documents
- The CARE Coordinator reaches out to the student to offer support.
- The team reviews the referral and assesses the level of concern.
- The student is connected to appropriate campus resources such as counseling, academic support, or financial resources.
- The CARE Team may coordinate with faculty and staff, when appropriate.
- The CARE Coordinator provides ongoing support
From a student perspective:
- Students will receive an email or phone call from the CARE Coordinator
- Students are invited to meet to discuss their concerns or situation
- The goal is support, not discipline
Mild Behaviors: Individual is experiencing stress but coping appropriately. No safety
risk.
Examples:
- Upset due to a situation
- Communicating needs appropriately
- Behavior remains appropriate
- No safety concerns
Recommended Action:
- Speak with the student individually
- Offer appropriate campus resources
- Contact CARE Coordinator to determine if a referral is necessary or you have questions.
Distressed Behaviors: Student is struggling and having difficulty coping.
Examples:
- Noticeable emotional or behavioral changes
- Difficulty managing stress
- Behavior impacting daily functioning
- Vague or concerning statements without clear threat
Recommended Action:
- Meet with the student to assess concerns
- Provide support and resources
- Submit an online CARE Team referral
Deteriorating Behaviors: Student behavior is escalating and more concerning.
Examples:
- Aggressive or explosive behavior
- Threatening, harassing, or disorganized communication
- Extreme withdrawal or decline in self-care
- Substance misuse or abuse
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm statements
- Fixated or stalking behaviors
Recommended Action:
- Assess the situation promptly
- Submit an online CARE Team referral
Decompensating Behaviors: Behavior presents an immediate risk to self or others.
Examples:
- Suicidal thoughts with a plan or attempt
- Life-threatening self-harm
- Acts of violence or credible threats
- Weapon involvement or brandishing
- Severe substance use requiring medical or police involvement
- Appears disconnected from reality and unable to care for self
Recommended Action:
- If immediate danger: Call 911
- Contact Texas Tech Police Department at 806.742.3931
- Follow emergency protocols
- Submit an online CARE Team referral after the situation is stabilized.
Additional Resources
CARE Team Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Referrals to the CARE Team are handled with care and shared only with those who need to know in order to provide support. The care team is not a disciplinary body, and information is used primarily to connect students with appropriate resources. In situations where there is an immediate safety concern, certain information may need to be shared to protect the safety of the student or others.
No. A CARE Team referral does not go on a student’s academic transcript or permanent academic record. The purpose of a referral is support, not discipline.
Yes. Students are encouraged to submit a self-referral if they are struggling or feel they need additional support. Self-referrals are reviewed in the same way as any other referral and will result in outreach from the CARE Coordinator.
Yes, referrals can be submitted without your name through the CARE Team reporting form. However, anonymity cannot be guaranteed, as some situations may require follow-up or additional information to properly assess the concern. Sharing your name and contact information helps the care team better understand the situation and provide appropriate support.
The care team reviews referrals as soon as possible, typically within one business day. Urgent or high-risk concerns are prioritized for immediate follow-up. After a referral is reviewed, the CARE Coordinator will reach out to the student, as appropriate.
To protect the student’s privacy, most communication is kept between the CARE coordinator and the student. However, we do our best to provide updates when possible, appropriate, and helpful.
Who is part of the CARE Team?
Meet the CARE Coordinator
Gabrielle Gutierrez
CARE Team Coordinator
Email: gabrielle.gutierrez@ttuhsc.edu
Phone: 806.743.1781
Gabrielle Gutierrez serves as the CARE Coordinator. She reviews all referrals, reaches out to students of concern, connects them with resources, and collaborates with faculty, staff, and campus partners to support student well-being.
Core Advisory Members
Chair (CARE Coordinator) Gabrielle Gutierrez
Assistant Provost for Institutional Integrity Leslie Bean
TTUHSC Counseling Center Kristie Collins
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Pam Johnson
School of Health Professions Lindsay Johnson
School of Population and Public Health Dr. Jeff Dennis
School of Pharmacy Dr. Molly Minze
School of Nursing Dr. Hollis Franco
School of Medicine Dr. David Trotter
When in doubt, refer to care. Contact us with questions.