The UTM Care Team is committed to serving our community by aiding students who encounter barriers that may limit their success. The team promotes the academic, social, and mental well-being of students and provides supportive care, connections to campus and community resources, and aids in navigating the academic landscape.

The UTM Care Team is a multi-disciplined committee including faculty and staff who are dedicated to providing support to students. The team meets on a regular basis and has a mission of collaborative problem solving to aid in removing barriers to student success. Additionally, the team provides educational outreach to both employees and students on topics such as Autism Awareness, Trauma Informed Practices, Bystander Intervention, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans assistance, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training, depressive disorder, anxiety, and more. The team includes a Crisis Response Team and a Behavioral Threat Assessment Team. UTM Care Team aids the campus community during periods of crisis, such as the loss or serious injury of a student. The team’s Multi-disciplined make-up allows for interactions across campus, uniting Athletics, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and other administrative entities.

Recently, we added a Care Coordinator (also referred to as a case manager in the higher education setting) to our UTM Care Team who serves our campus community by coordinating intervention and support efforts across campus and community systems to assist at risk students who are facing crises, experiencing life stressors, and encountering barriers that may limit success.

The Crisis Response Team is comprised of six Student Affairs administrators who respond when a student has been transported to the hospital. One of the team members is on-call every day of the year, and the team maintains an open line of communication with one another to further aid in responsiveness. If a student has been transported to the hospital for a suicide attempt or suicidal thoughts, a member of the Crisis Response Team will stay with the student until parents or the student’s support person arrives at the hospital. If the student is transferred to the ICU, the Crisis Response Team member will establish communication with the parents or support person and meet them at the hospital upon arrival. Contacting the student’s parents or support person is initiated by DPS if the student is transported to the hospital. In the absence of being able to reach someone, the on-call Crisis Response Team member will continue to attempt contact. Once contact has been established, the CRT member will relay only basic information, provide the phone number for the hospital, facilitate a conversation with the student if medically advised, and explain the crisis evaluation process for Weakley County.

Select members of the Care Team comprise the university’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Team. The team engages in best practices as established by the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NaBITA) and utilized industry specific rubrics and tools for assessing potential for violence on campus.

Higher Education Case Managers serve their institutions by coordinating outreach, intervention, and support efforts across campus and community systems in order to assist students. Referrals may include students who are facing crises, experiencing life stressors, and/or encountering barriers that are limiting their personal, professional, or academic success.

To that end, our Care Coordinator will:

• reach out to students via email or phone call to offer an appointment.
• evaluate threat and assess risk to self-and/or the community.
• arrange for appropriate medical or mental health care.
• maintain contact and meet with students to address needs.
• foster self-advocacy in students to manage their academic, personal, and financial responsibilities; and/or
• advocate for students individually and systemically.

At UTM, the Care Team coordinates the proactive and follow-up case management services for students referred for personal, emotional, mental health, and/or academic concerns in a non-clinical setting. Our Care Team coordinates care within the community as well as across campus resources such as the Student Health and Counseling Services, Office of Disability Services, Student Success Center, Office of Financial Aid, etc.

Who can submit a Hawk Alert?

Anyone (students, staff, faculty, parents, and community members) can submit a Hawk Alert regarding a student(s) health, safety, and overall wellbeing.

What should be reported?

Any behavior that raises a cause for concern should be reported to the Care Team. If it's an emergency, then Public Safety (731-881-7777) should be notified as well.

Why should I submit a Hawk Alert?

The earlier these concerns are brought to the Team’s attention, the more effectively the Care Team can assist the student(s) involved.

Can I remain anonymous?

Of course! We never disclose who submitted Hawk Alerts unless given permission, but it is helpful if you let us know who you are if we need to follow up later.

When should I report?

Concerning behaviors can be reported to the Care Team 24/7. A member of the Care Team will be available at all times to respond and handle the situation appropriately.

How do I submit a Hawk Alert?

You can submit a Hawk Alert at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?UTMartin&layout_id=0. Select Hawk Alert and begin your report.

As members of the university community, all faculty, staff, and students have a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of others.

If someone exhibits threatening behavior or a situation occurs, this must be taken seriously and reported to the UTM Care Team.

If the threat is imminent, call UTM Department of Public Safety at (731) 881-7777 or 911.

For non-emergency or preventative assistance, please contact the UTM Care Team at (731) 881-7703, utmcareteam@utm.edu, or submit a Hawk Alert.