Assistance & Care Team (ACT)

Assistance & Care Team

At Green River College, we care and we’re here to help.

Are you concerned about a student or a classmate? Did you see or hear something questionable or concerning? Please tell someone!

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.

The Assistance & Care Team’s 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?”, please submit a report!

Submit a Report Here

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. Behaviors may include:

Academic Concerns

• Serious grade problems or a change from consistently passing grades to unaccountably poor performance
• Repeated requests for special consideration, such as deadline extensions, especially if the student appears uncomfortable or highly emotional while disclosing the circumstances prompting the request
• Excessive absences, especially if the student has previously demonstrated consistent attendance

Personal/Emotional Concerns

• Unusual or markedly changed patterns of interaction, i.e., avoidance of participation, excessive anxiety when called upon, domination of discussions, etc.
• Other characteristics that suggest the student is having trouble managing stress successfully; e.g., a depressed, lethargic mood; very rapid speech; swollen, red eyes; marked change in personal dress and hygiene; falling asleep during class.
• Unusual or exaggerated emotional responses which are obviously inappropriate to the situation

Behavioral Concerns

• You have witnessed or are witnessing new or repeated behavior that is a significant change from what you've witnessed in the past, and/or is disruptive.

 If you report a concern, please be prepared to share:

• Your contact information;
• Name/any known information about the person you are referring, including student ID number if possible;
• Summary of the observed behavior or concern, including when and where it occurred. Be specific, objective, and descriptive;
• Day/time/location the observed behavior took place (or when and where you became concerned)
• Any attempts to intervene, manage, or address the behavior; and
• Other information you believe may be important.

Note: We welcome anonymous reports, however, responses to anonymous reports may be limited.

The Assistance & Care Team does not respond directly to emergencies. In an emergency, call 911 and Campus Safety at (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.