NOVACares

Connie Kirkland Office of Student Mental Health & Behavior

(Soon to be NOVACares Office)September, 2014

The Office of Student Mental Health and Behavior (SMHB) – College Staff

Connie Kirkland, Director (ckirkland@nvcc.edu) 703-323-2136

MaryAnn Raybuck, Mental Health Case Manager (mraybuck@nvcc.edu) 703-425-5202

Monica Chenault, Program Manager(mchenault@nvcc.edu) 703-425-5472

Sexual Assault Services Coordinator(NOVA.SAS@nvcc.edu) 703-338-0834

What We Do

• Generate policy and programs for dealing with mental health and safety issues on campus

• Manage NOVACares and Sexual Assault Services Programs (SAS)

• Develop information and referral resources for faculty, students, and staff

• Provide education, training and outreach on behavioral intervention and related topics to the NOVA community

Responding to Concerning Behavior – Throughout the NOVA Community

Conduct

AcademicConcerning Behavior

NOVACaresCampus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation

Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation

• Each campus (including ELI) has a CARE team. The CARE team mission is to provide a systematic and professional response in instances where student behavior is concerning or disruptive to themselves, to others or to the community. While NOVA does not provide mental health services (per the policy of the Virginia Community College System), it does provide faculty, staff and students with resources and referrals.

• For reports about faculty/staff: the response is made by HR.• For academic integrity: the Instructor and/or Academic Dean will

respond.• For conduct issues: the Dean of Students or designee will respond.

NOVACares is not a disciplinary program, but

rather, an early intervention program that

can assist students and faculty/staff to avert a

crisis situation.

NOVACares

• CARE Teams/Human Resources/Deans of Students

• Threat Assessment Team• Violence Prevention and Education

Committee

CARE Teams/Human Resources/Deans of Students

• Responds to reports of concerning behavior within the NOVA community - including faculty, staff, students and visitors

• Assesses risk level• Develops and oversees the implementation of a

response plan• CARE Team Members: Coordinator of Counseling

(chair), Police, Student Services, Staff and/or Faculty

Threat Assessment Team

• Provides guidance and intervention when threat level is elevated

• Facilitates college-wide communication and coordination

• Members: Led by Director SMHB; Case Manager and Program Manager SMHB, Police Chief, AVP Student Services, Director of HR, Legal Affairs

• Code of Virginia Requirement §23-9.2:10

Changes in Virginia Law

Other Examples

Violence Prevention and Education Committee

• Recommends policies and protocols• Facilitates college-wide communication and

coordination• Oversees educational activities on all campuses• Code of Virginia Requirement §23-9.2:10 – Led by NOVA Police Chief, Dan Dusseau: 703-764-5000

Concerning behavior is just that:

anything that causes you concern

Reporting Concerning Behavior

Examples of Concerning Behavior

• Classroom disruption• Change in attitude • Unusual behavior• Disruption of the

learning environment• Incoherent speech• Aggression in speech,

attitude, or behavior

• Violent behavior• Negative change in

academic performance• Self-destructive

behavior• Writings or drawings

that convey intentions to harm self or others

What To Know About Reporting

• Anyone can file a report.• Your report will be forwarded to the responsible

party by the next business day.

IN AN EMERGENCY: 911 Please notify campus police immediately at 703-764-5000. If you call for a police response, please

also complete the on-line NOVACares report.

More To Know

• You don’t have to decide what is “worthy”. (If it bothers you – report it! Better to over report rather

than under report)• Focus on facts in your report, not opinions• Note any witnesses to the behavior• Describe the incident fully by stating exactly what

was said or observed to give you concern.• Whenever possible your anonymity will be

protected• You may report anonymously

• Concerns about confidentiality.• Duty and Ethics• Not reporting concerning behavior increases

your liability if there is event that results in harm to self or to others.

LIABILITY

NOVACares Reporting Form

• Find NOVACares at the bottom of the NVCC Home page under “Support”.

• To open the NOVACares Reporting Form,

click “Report Concerns” Button

What’s Next

• Once a report is received, SMHB will assess the report for risk and then route it to the responsible party. The responsible party is responsible for investigation, the development of a response plan and follow-up.

• SMHB or the responsible party will contact the reporter if clarification or further information is needed

• The reporter will receive an immediate email acknowledgement from the system and later from SMHB when it is assigned for follow-up.

WHY REPORT?

• Prevents silos of information within departments and/or campuses

• Increases the safety of our College and satisfies Federal and State Regulations §23-9.2:10

• Encourages a way to consistently respond to individuals of concern.

• Allows us to identify individuals in need who might otherwise be overlooked

Sexual Assault Dating & Partner Violence

Stalking

Free and Confidential Available 24 Hours

(703) 338-0834

NOVA SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES

YOU ARE THE EYES AND EARS FOR NOVA’S HEALTH AND SAFETY

SHARE YOUR CONCERNS WITH US. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

The Office of Student Mental Health and Behavior 703-323-2136