MARYANN RAYBUCK, LCSW
Case Manager
NOVACares Office
Students in Distress
NVCC does not offer counseling services,
so the NOVACares office has developed a
multi-tiered system to support students in need.
play a vital part in this system.
Staff & Faculty are frequently in the best position to
notice and report student behavior.
BSERVE
ONNECT
EPORT
Be on the look out for signs of student distress.
Reach out to the student to express concern.
Report your concerns to NOVACares.
The Power of You
Students will often share personal information with
professors, especially if it is impacting their grades.
Report your concerns early!
By reporting your low level concerns, we can
intervene before a behavior becomes more serious.
Early intervention is critically important in student
retention and in keeping the college safe.
What Are Your Seeing?
Stress VS Distress
A change from the norm is often a sign of a student
in distress
In performance
In appearance/ hygiene
In demeanor
Additionally, any concerns about safety (the
student’s or others) or about the emotional stability
of a student should be reported.
TYPES OF BEHAVIORS THAT MAY INDICATE
DIFFICULTIES
• Disruptive emotional outbursts
• Aggressiveness (i.e. resentful,
hostile, intimidating, harassing)
• Extreme sensitivity, or anxiety
• An inability to cope with
challenges or disappointment
• Statements that indicate distress
or loss
• An inability to cope or to self
regulate their mood/ behavior
• Expressions of hopelessness or
worthlessness
• Persecutory beliefs, “Grievance
collecting”
• Noticeable Injuries (cuts, burns,
bruising)
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Concerning Communications
Any emails, phone calls, texts, drawings or written
assignments that suggest:
– Delusions or paranoia
– Victimization or abuse,
– Self disdain or suicide ideation,
– Bullying, persecution, or retaliation,
– Preoccupation with weapons or violence; identification
with mass murderers
A Word on Disabilities.
• Students may provide you with an MOA
explaining the accommodations they need.
• Students are not required to tell you why the
MOA is in place and you are not to ask!
• A disability does not excuse a student from
adhering to the student code of conduct
NOVACARES
Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation
EMERGENCIES
When an individual
• Is expressing a direct threat to themselves or others,
• is acting in a bizarre and disconnected manner,
• Or becomes highly agitated and irrational,
TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY
AND
CALL CAMPUS POLICE!
NOVACARES
• Please report your concerns on the
NOVACares website.
• Reports may be filed anonymously
• Concerns about distressed students are
forwarded to your campus CARE team.
• Concerns about conduct issues are
handled by the Dean or Conduct Officer.
CAMPUS CARE TEAMS
• A CARE team on every campus.
• Focus is on supporting students in distress.
• Assesses risk level, then develops and
implements a response plan
• CARE Team Members: Coordinator of
Counseling (chair), Police, Student Services,
Faculty, and Staff
WHY REPORT?
Your Report:
• Allows us to identify individuals in need who might
otherwise be overlooked.
• Enables NOVA to assess individuals at risk, thereby
increasing the safety of our College.
• Allows us to track individuals with multiple reports across
multiple campuses.
• Prevents silos of information within departments and/or
campuses.
• Encourages a way to consistently respond to individuals of
concern.
NOVACares Resources
• NOVA SAS: Free & confidential assistance
for sexual assault, partner violence, stalking
• ACCESS HOPE: Free or low cost counseling
• WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAM:
Assistance for Veterans, Spouses and
Dependents.
• NOVACares Website:
http://www.nvcc.edu/novacares/index.html