C.A.R.E. Team (Community Assessment, Response & Education)

CARE Team Mission

The UH Hilo CARE Team is dedicated to fostering a safe, compassionate campus grounded in the values of aloha and ohana. We collaborate across the university to provide early intervention, personalized support, and culturally responsive care for students facing challenges or exhibiting concerning behaviors.

Through advocacy, education, and a deep commitment to student well-being, we holistically promote development, belonging, and academic persistence. As concerns escalate, the CARE Team also serves as the university’s Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), conducting assessments and implementing coordinated strategies to support students while honoring the unique diversity of our island home.

When a case is referred to the CARE Team, we assess the situation and work to develop a plan for supportive intervention. This may involve making direct referrals to other campus or community resources, providing guidance, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure ongoing support. For more information, or to make a referral, please contact Sherri “Uilani” Akau, Executive Director of Student Health and Well-being, or use the online care referral form.

Please note that in many cases, students can be assisted through direct referrals to other offices or services. A helpful resource guide can be found at Campus and Community Resources, including the UH Hilo Student Emergency Fund. However, when in doubt—always refer.

We receive reports from faculty, staff, students, and community members about behavior that may be disruptive or affect campus safety. Upon receiving a report, we conduct an initial threat assessment to evaluate the level of concern and guide our response.

Depending on the situation, responses may include further inquiry, student outreach, coordination with campus partners, or comprehensive behavioral assessments. Our approach centers on a coordinated community response, ensuring effective communication, access to resources, and long-term support for student success.

Example Situations

Situation	Contact / Next Steps
The student’s conduct is clearly and imminently reckless, disorderly, dangerous, or threatening including self-harm behavior.	Call 911 or Campus Police.
The student shows signs of distress but I am unsure how serious it is. My interaction has left me feeling uneasy and/or really concerned about the student.	Consult with and/or refer to the Counseling Center.
I’m not concerned for the student’s immediate safety, but he or she is having significant academic and/or personal issues and could use some support or additional resources.	Refer students to an appropriate campus resource (if known) and/or submit a care referral (if not sure of the appropriate resource to which a student should be referred)

Behaviors of Concern

Signs that a student may be in distress and warrant a referral to the Care Team may occur in the following ways:

Academic

• Communication that is threatening or suggests extreme distress
• Academic work significantly deteriorates in quality
• Pattern of missing assignments, appointments, or classes
• Multiple requests for extensions, procrastination, excessive worrying/perfectionism

Physical/Emotional/Social

• Marked deterioration of hygiene, appearance or dress
• Appearance of intoxication or being under the influence of drugs while in class or other settings
• References to suicide
• Inability to communicate such as garbled, slurred, disjointed, or incoherent speech (or writing)

Behavioral

• Threats to harm others or angry, or volatile behavior
• Repeated and/or frequent displays of bizarre or unusual behavior
• Angry outbursts/crying/extreme levels of disruptive activity or conversations
• Withdrawal from friends, social groups, or disclosure of self-harm

Student in Distress Response Protocol

Is the Student in Immediate Danger?

Quick Tips To Help a Student Who Is in Distress

• Talk to the student in private when expressing your concerns or responding to theirs.
• Remind students you can be private but not confidential.
• Be honest and direct (“Are you under the influence of drugs or alcohol?” or “Are you thinking of hurting yourself or someone else?”)
• Listen with compassion and sensitivity.
• Be open-minded (to what the student is disclosing and ask yourself “what support do I need for myself?”)
• Communicate “it takes courage & strength to seek support.”
• Consult with administrator, Counseling Services, Care team coordinator, or Title IX Coordinator if unsure how to proceed.
• Document and make a referral to the Care team.
• Follow up. Reach out to the student soon after to check in with them.

Quick Tips To Help the Conversation With a Student Who Is in Distress

• “Thanks for trusting me! It takes courage to seek support. How can I help?”
• “Thank you for sharing. There are some things I can keep private but not confidential.”
• “You don’t need to feel alone. Let me walk with you to Counseling Services.”
• “University-life can be challenging; it should not be overwhelming. How can I help?”
• “Sometimes when students are so overwhelmed, they want to end it all. Is that what you want to do?” *If you are concerned that a student may be thinking of suicide and do not feel comfortable asking this question, it’s OK! Just personally and immediately refer the student on to someone who can, such as Counseling Services.

“If you’d like to speak with someone who can keep everything confidential, I can connect you to Student Services - Counseling, Medical or a Confidential Advocate with Title IX.”

: Title IX: Prohibited conduct includes sex or gender-based discrimination, including discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity & expression, and nonconformity with sex stereotypes; sexual violence, including sexual assault; sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence, and stalking.