What to Expect When You Submit a Care referral

Anything that needs an instant response, like a mental health emergency, accident, or other safety concern, call for immediate help.  A call to 911 will alert our Department of Public Safety officers. You may also call the Counseling team during regular business hours at 315-792-5326.  

1. Receipt and Review 
   You will receive an auto reply that your submission has been received.  Once a report is submitted, the Care Team reviews the information during regular business hours. The team assesses the nature and urgency of the concern to determine the most appropriate next steps. 
2. Confidentiality 
   All reports are handled with sensitivity and discretion. The identity of the reporter is kept confidential to the extent possible and appropriate. In some cases, especially when safety is involved, the team may follow up for more details. 
3. Assessment and Action 
   The team evaluates the situation through a lens of care and concern. This may include gathering additional context from campus resources or individuals directly involved. The goal is to understand the students’ needs and offer meaningful support. 
4. Support and Outreach 
   The student of concern may be contacted by a Care Team member to check in and offer resources, referrals, or support services. Interventions are supportive and focus on helping the student succeed and preserve safety for all. The staff reporter may be asked to assist in the initial contact and will be guided about how to make that hand-off. The strategy we determine is to preserve trust, relationships, and confidentiality when possible.  
5. Follow-Up (if appropriate) 
   In some cases, the Care Team may follow up with the reporter to acknowledge receipt of the report or to confirm that it was addressed—though specific outcomes involving other individuals are typically not shared.  

Student situations are confidential and should only be shared with staff members who have a legitimate "need to know" in order to support the student effectively. Personal or sensitive information should never be discussed casually or in public spaces. If you find yourself needing to decompress or process a difficult situation, please seek support through appropriate channels such as a direct supervisor, an MVCC licensed counselor, or designated staff support resources.