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Campus Assessment, Response & Education (CARE) Team
“Working with my CARE Coordinator was great. They were very understanding and empathetic, and made it easy to talk about challenges. They created a really supportive space.” - Cal Poly Student supported by CARE
The CARE Team (Campus Assessment, Response & Education) supports student success by addressing barriers to academic progress, such as mental health challenges, basic needs insecurities, financial struggles, or difficulty navigating campus procedures. The team works closely with university departments, community agencies, and stakeholders to connect students with the resources they need. The CARE Team is dedicated to helping students overcome extenuating circumstances and continue their education.
About CARE
What is CARE?
The CARE Team (Campus Assessment, Response & Education) supports student success by addressing barriers to academic progress, such as mental health challenges, basic needs insecurities, financial struggles, or difficulty navigating campus procedures. The team works closely with university departments, community agencies, and stakeholders to connect students with the resources they need. The CARE Team is dedicated to helping students overcome extenuating circumstances and continue their education.
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So what is CARE? Campus Assessment, Response & Education, also known as the CARE Team, supports student success and retention by coordinating comprehensive non-clinical case management services for students experiencing barriers to their academic progress.
These barriers can be circumstances such as mental health challenges, basic needs insecurities, financial insecurities, needing to take time off or withdraw from a course, or difficulty navigating campus policies and procedures.
Our team partners extensively with university departments, community agencies, and stakeholders to ensure that students' diverse needs and concerns are effectively managed through collaborative services and support.
In short, the CARE Team exists to support students through extenuating circumstances and get them connected to the appropriate campus resources and services so they can continue pursuing their degree.
What happens when you refer a student to CARE?
If you believe a student needs support, you can refer a student to CARE through the Dean of Students or CARE Team webpages. Provide as much detail as possible, including the student's name, the concerning behavior, and any context to help the team offer tailored support. After submission, the CARE Team evaluates the report and assigns a coordinator to develop a support plan. In emergencies involving reckless or dangerous behavior, contact Cal Poly Police at 805-756-2281 or 911 immediately.
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If you believe a student is in need of support from our team, the best way to get them connected with us is by submitting a CARE Report.
The CARE report form can be found on the Dean of Students website in the sidebar menu or on the CARE Team webpage.
Please include as much detail as possible, including the name of the student, the concerning behavior or circumstance, and any additional context that could help our team provide better and more tailored support.
After you submit the report, it’s received and evaluated by our CARE Team and assigned to the appropriate CARE Coordinator.
From here, the CARE Coordinator will work with the student to address the barriers they are experiencing by developing and implementing a support plan.
Please note that if the student's behavior is clearly and imminently reckless, disorderly, dangerous, or threatening including self-harm behavior, please immediately contact the Cal Poly Police Department at 805-756-2281or 911.
What is a 5150 and what support does CARE provide in these situations?
A 5150 hold in California allows for the involuntary detention of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis for up to 72 hours if they are a danger to themselves, others, or unable to care for their basic needs. CARE can help students hospitalized under a 5150 hold by coordinating support with their network once they are discharged, ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing assistance.
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In California, a "5150 hold" refers to an involuntary psychiatric hold, where a person experiencing a mental health crisis can be detained for up to 72 hours in a psychiatric facility if they are considered a danger to themselves, others, or are "gravely disabled" and unable to care for their basic needs; the term originates from Section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code which outlines this legal provision.
If CARE is informed of a student’s hospitalization, our team can work with the student and their support network to coordinate support once the student is discharged.
Are you a student in need of support?
Campus Assessment, Response & Education (CARE) supports student success and retention by coordinating comprehensive non-clinical case management services for students experiencing barriers to their academic progress, such as:
- Mental health challenges
- Housing Insecurities
- Financial hardship
- Difficulty accessing food and basic needs
- Obstacles due to complex campus policies and procedures
- Difficulty managing aspects of their personal, social, and academic success
- Coordination and follow up prior/during/after a hospitalization
- Assist with withdrawal from course(s) or the term due to extenuating circumstances affecting their academic progress
Refer a Student
If the student's behavior is clearly and imminently reckless, disorderly, dangerous, or threatening including self-harm behavior, please immediately contact the Cal Poly Police Department at 805-756-2281 or 911.
If you would like to refer a Student of Concern, which may include, but are not limited to non-emergency worries about a student’s behavior, such as signs of depression, suicidal ideation, the intent to be violent, and/or sudden mood shifts, please click the following link.
We monitor referrals during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you are reporting an emergency, please immediately contact the Cal Poly Police Department at 805-756-2281 or 911.
Additional Information & Resources
What are some valuable student resources on campus?
For academic support, students can reach out to their academic advisors or advising centers.
For questions about student fees or account holds, contact Student Accounts.
Financial aid inquiries can be directed to your Financial Aid Counselor. Additionally, if you or someone you know is experiencing Basic Needs insecurities, such as food or housing insecurity, visit the Cal Poly Basic Needs Initiative webpage for resources.
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For support on academic matters, such as registration questions or academic planning, students can connect with their academic advisors or advising centers, which are linked below this video.
Questions about student fees and account holds can be addressed by Student Accounts, while questions about your financial aid package can be addressed by your Financial Aid Counselor. You can schedule appointments with both departments by visiting their respective pages on the Cal Poly website.
If you or a student you know are experiencing Basic Needs insecurities, such as housing or food insecurity, please visit the Cal Poly Basic Needs Initiative webpage, which is linked below, for resources and support for these insecurities.
For a comprehensive list of resources on campus, please visit our FAQ page for direct links and more information.
What is the Cal Poly Cares Grant?
The Cal Poly Cares Grant provides limited financial assistance to students facing temporary hardships and unable to cover essential expenses due to unexpected situations. Unlike loans, this grant doesn’t need to be repaid and is designed for short-term financial needs, not to replace or supplement financial aid. Visit the Cal Poly Cares grant webpage for more details on eligibility and how to apply.
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Cal Poly Cares grant offers limited financial assistance to currently enrolled students who are facing temporary hardship and can’t cover immediate, essential expenses because of an unexpected situation.
This grant is meant to help with short-term financial needs and isn’t intended to replace or supplement financial aid.
The funds are awarded as a grant, so unlike a loan, they don’t need to be repaid.
Check out the Cal Poly Cares grant webpage for more information about eligibility and the application process.
What should I do if I miss or will miss a class or exam?
If you need to be absent from class, the first step is to contact your professors using your Cal Poly email. Include your name, class details, dates of absence, and reason. If you're unable to reach your faculty or don't feel comfortable sharing details, you can get support from the CARE team via the reporting form. For absences due to emergencies or mental health crises, the CARE team can assist in communicating with faculty.
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If you have been or will be absent from a class, the first step is to contact your professors using your calpoly.edu email address.
You can find your professors’ contact information in your syllabus, student schedule, or within the directory on your Cal Poly Portal.
In your email, you should include your first and last name, the class name and section information, the date or dates of your absence, and the reason for your absence.
If you are unable to communicate with your faculty or are uncomfortable sharing the details of the circumstance leading to your absence with your professors, you can reach out to the CARE team for support by using the reporting form on the CARE webpage.
Lastly, if your absence is due to an extenuating circumstance, emergency, or mental health crisis, and you are unable to contact your faculty, please reach out to the CARE team for support.
Where do I find information about withdrawing or taking time off?
If you're facing challenges that affect your coursework, withdrawing from a course or the term can help protect your GPA and give you the space to focus on your health and well-being. This option allows you to avoid failing grades and can help you get back on track. Students may also consider Informal Time Off or a Leave of Absence for extended breaks. For more details and deadlines, visit the Registrar’s and Retention Team’s websites. Processes vary by student type, and the CARE team is available to assist you.
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Our team connects with many students who, due to extenuating circumstances, have fallen behind in their courses or are unable to continue their coursework for the term. Withdrawing from a course or the term can be a good option to help you avoid a failing grade on your transcript, which could hurt your GPA, and gives you a chance to focus on your health and wellbeing. Overall, withdrawing can be a great way to protect your academic standing and give yourself the space you need to get back on track.
Students may also need to take extended time away from classes and can do so through the Informal Time Off and Leave of Absence processes.
If you have more questions about withdrawing from a course, taking a leave of absence, or need to know the withdrawal deadlines for each quarter, check out the links from the Registrar’s and Retention Team’s websites below.
Keep in mind, these processes can vary depending on whether you're a first-year student, transfer, student athlete, military-connected, international student, on an ICMA contract, or receiving financial aid, and the CARE team is here to help you navigate these specifics.
