A Campus, Assessment, Response, Education, and Support (CARES) Team has been created at WMCC. The purpose of the CARES Team is to prevent crises before they occur through the provision of outreach and educational programming, consultation, appropriate assessment, and referrals. The aim of the committee is to help ensure that students whose behavior is of concern are contacted through follow-up processes and have access to appropriate services to improve their welfare; and to have a proactive approach to manage the complexities involved with threats (to self or others), violence, and general behavioral or emotional challenges. All team members are extremely sensitive to the concerns (and privacy of all involved) and adhere to the highest standards of confidentiality. Key objectives are to identify, assess, manage, and reduce potential threats and safety concerns to the entire campus community.
The goals of CARES are as follows:
- Prevent crises before they occur through the provision of outreach and educational programming, consultation, appropriate assessment and referrals;
- Ensure that students whose behavior is of concern are contacted through follow-up processes and have access to the appropriate services so that they have the opportunity to improve their welfare;
- Create a unified reporting and tracking system that will allow members of the CARES team to observe patterns of behavior that may elicit assessment and to provide a documented response to distressed students.
The CARES team meets regularly to discuss non-emergency situations and routine incidents. When a report is deemed urgent, the team, or subset of the team, is ready for an immediate response.
Members of the CARES team are Mark Desmarais, John Achorn, Lynne Bacon, Christine Hemmings, Nicole Bourque, and Jeff Swayze.
Available Counseling Resources
From time to time, everyone experiences situations that affect their general wellbeing. The WMCC/CCSNH Student Assistance Program (Kepro) is a resource to help current students be successful at meeting their responsibilities and creating solutions that allow you to be healthier, happier, and more productive. This is a free, confidential service available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
Kepro is now LIVE!
Please review the attached links to become more familiar with the services provided by Kepro.
Call toll free: 844-854-7281
On-campus counseling services are available to prevent or manage emotional responses such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Contact Jeff Swayze, 603-342-3058, Berlin Campus: Office 127.
Additional Resources
National Suicide Prevention 1-800-273-8255 or 988
NH Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence 1-866-644-3574
Crisis Text Line 741-741 Mental Health Support 24/7
Campus Assessment Response Education and Support Team Contacts:
Name Ext. Phone Location
Mark Desmarais, VP
Student Affairs 3009 603-342-3009 Room 120
Reporting Incidents to the CARES Team
Anyone may report behaviors that concern them to the CARES team. These reports can be anonymous, if individuals so desire. Each report should include as much detail as possible about the behavior or incident of concern. Once a report is submitted, the individual will receive an acknowledgment of receipt if he or she indicated an email address. The CARES team encourages the reporting of student behaviors that are of concern.
This information will be used to reach out to the affected individuals and connect each individual with appropriate support services. The information provided (including the reporting party) is CONFIDENTIAL.
To report an incident, use the CARES Incident Report or send an email to [email protected]
