The CARE Team is a multidisciplinary proactive campus threat assessment and behavioral intervention team dedicated to improving campus safety through a coordinated, objective approach to prevention, identification, assessment, intervention, and management of situations that may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of individuals and the university community.
Fostering a safe and supportive campus environment is the work of all university employees. The CARE Team was created to formalize the university's existing processes for greater communication, collaboration, and coordination of concerns regarding student, employee, or other persons' behavior.
The primary work of the CARE Team (Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation Team) is to collect and assess all reports of threats or other alarming behaviors by any student or employee as well as others who might impact the safety or well-being of the university community. By gathering information about individuals od concerns, assessing the information in a systematic manner, determining the most effective response, implementing a plan to address the concern, and monitoring the effectiveness of the response, the team seeks to prevent disruptive or harmful incidents. Central to this process is enhancing and connecting campus communication to effectively detect patterns of behavior that in isolation my seem insignificant but when viewed in totality signal a more serious problem. By modeling effective behavioral intervention practices, this proactive approach seeks to address concerning behaviors before situations become critical.
The CARE Team is a multidiscplinary proactive campus threat assessment and behavioral intervention team dedicated to improving campus safety through a coordinated, objective approach to prevention, identification, assessment, intervention, and management of situations that may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of individuals and the university community. While threat assessment is a crucial component, the CARE Team also focuses on student success and retention by following up with referrals and connecting them to appropriate resources.
The CARE Team is comprised of a multidisciplinary group of university personnel representing a variety of campus departments. Individuals selected from these areas have experience in law enforcement, threat assessment, medical and mental health evaluation, human resources, university operations, and student affairs. The members selected have regular contact with campus community members and hold positions that have multiple daily touch points with the majority of campus departments which will aid in assessment of persons of concern, and/or provide the authority to receive a CARE Team referral and take the appropriate action.
Amy Pennington
Associate Vice President forStudent Affairs/Dean of Students & Title IX Coordinator
Student Affairs, Doc Bryan 233
Phone: (479) 968-0407
Email: apennington@atu.edu
Lisa Crider
Wellness Case Manager
ATU Health and Wellness Center, Doc Bryan 119
(479)968-0329
lrcrider2@atu.edu
William Titsworth
Assistant Dean for Student Conduct/Lead Title IX Investigator
Student Conduct, Doc Bryan 133
(479)968-6083
wtitsworth@atu.edu
Kristy Davis, LPC-S
Associate Dean for Student Wellness/Health and Wellness Center Director
ATU Health and Wellness Center, Doc Bryan 119
(479)968-0329
kdavis51@atu.edu
Joshua McMillian
Chief, Public Safety
Public Safety Department, 716 North El Paso Avenue
(479)968-0622
jmcmillian1@atu.edu
Jessica Crabaugh
Assistant Dean of Residence Life-Operations
Residence Life, Doc Bryan 153
(479)968-0376
jcrabaugh@atu.edu
Erin Conrad
Academic and Career Advisor
Center for Academic Advising and Career Development, Rothwell 107
(479)964-0843
econrad@atu.edu
Rosendo Trapala
Coordinator for Disability Services
Disability Services, Doc Bryan 141
(479)968-0302
rtrapala@atu.edu
Richard Harris
Chief Student Life Officer/Ozark Campus
(479)508-3310
rharris1@atu.edu
Kristie Moore
Librarian/Ozark Campus
(479)508-3321
kmoore36@atu.edu
David Spicer
Public Safety Officer/Ozark Campus
(479)667-1707
dspicer1@atu.edu
All members of the university community play an important role in helping others get the assistance they need. There may be signs or indications that a person is experiencing problems and needs assistance.
Examples of the types of observed behaviors sometimes exhibited by distressed persons that should be referred to the CARE Team include:
Presentation of these types of behaviors in isolation may or may not indicate a more serious problem. However, persons of concern may be exhibiting the same or similar behaviors in other areas of campus. Reporting information to the CARE Team may assist in the observation of a larger pattern of behaviors that may need intervention when the totality of the circumstances is taken into consideration. When in doubt, please submit a report and allow the CARE Team to review.
The behavior of distressed individuals may come to your attention in a variety of ways, including:
Anyone can report concerning, disruptive, alarming, or threatening behaviors to the CARE Team.
NOTE: Even with the existence of a CARE Team, the actions and responsibilities of this team do not replace those of emergency responders or the police. Some behaviors require immediate emergency assistance. If an incident is currently an immediate threat to self or others, please report directly to the Department of Public Safety by dialing 911.
NOTE: The list of behaviors provided is not exhaustive or inclusive of all behaviors that should be reported but is intended to be a useful educational resource or guide.
Anyone can report concerning, disruptive, alarming, or threatening behaviors to the CARE Team by:
To submit an online referral, please visit this link
If you have any problems or concerns with the online reporting form or you wish to make a report in person, please contact Amy Pennington, AVP/Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator and CARE Team chair, by phone at (479)968-0407 or via email at apennington@atu.edu.