What is the CARE Team?

The Lebanon Valley College CARE team is a group of faculty and staff dedicated to the health, wellness, and success of each student academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

The team identifies and develops an individualized success plan for students who may experience a variety of challenges and can benefit from additional support or assistance.

This outreach is to help make students aware of available resources, establish or strengthen connections in the LVC community, and support students to achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals.

What Does the CARE Team Do?

The CARE team meets weekly to review all assigned cases. After reviewing each student, the team determines an appropriate outreach approach based on the students’ needs. Every referred student is assigned a primary point of contact. Students may have an additional secondary point of contact, depending on the situation. (Please note that secondary point of contacts can only see information about students assigned to them).

The CARE team develops an individualized plan to work with the student to best address the students’ needs and challenges at the time of the referral. This plan may include weekly meetings, connection to additional resources, or merely a check-in meeting. The CARE team member will follow up to ensure that the student’s needs are met.

What Does the CARE Team Not Do?

Although the CARE team includes members from many areas on campus, certain services are outside our expertise.

• Emergencies (mental health, physical injuries, etc.) If a student is in immediate danger to themselves or the community, contact public safety (717-867-6111) or dial 911. CARE team members often follow-up with students who have experienced a crisis, but emergencies must be addressed immediately via emergency services.
• LVC’s counseling services are designed to promote a holistic view of wellness in mind, body, and spirit. While CARE team members often serve as a mentor to students, any student in need of counseling should see our licensed counselors.
• Write excusals for students. As stated in our name, the CARE team works with students to encourage personal accountability. We are happy to work through any issues impeding student success, but we expect students to do their part.

What Issues Can the CARE Team Help With?

Students are automatically referred to the CARE team if their GPA falls below a certain threshold:

• 2.5 for first-year students
• 2.0 for upper-level students

This is to ensure that students are connected with resources and support to help them stay on track toward graduation requirements.

Students are referred to the CARE team because of concerning change in behavior, in or out of the classroom.

These changes can include academic performance, financial status, personal or emotional distress, recent illness or injury, or any number of challenges students may face.

Who is on the CARE Team?

• Team Leaders
  • Dr. Susan Tammaro, Associate Provost
  • Jeremy Maisto, M.S., Associate Dean of Academic Success and Registrar
  • Elizabeth Julian, M.A., Assistant Dean for Student Success and Retention
  • Dr. Robert Mikus, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
• Representation from the following departments:
  • Center for Academic Success
  • Center for Accessibility Resources
  • Academic Affairs (Dean of Faculty, Assistant Dean and Director of Constellation)
  • Business Office
  • Counseling Services
  • Public Safety
  • Residential Life
  • Athletics Financial Aid
  • Intercultural Affairs
  • Student Engagement

What Can I Expect When I File a CARE Report?

All members of the Lebanon Valley College community can submit a CARE report on behalf of any student, regardless of their class year or enrollment status. Our student’s privacy is a priority, and all information in the report is private within the CARE team unless there is an immediate threat to the safety of the student or community.

We are committed to protecting our students and ensuring that their experience with the CARE team is positive and productive.

After a CARE referral is submitted, a member of the team reviews it within 24 hours. A primary point of contact is assigned, and an appropriate outreach plan is developed. The faculty or staff member who submitted the CARE Referral may follow up with any of the team leaders for questions or updates.

File a CARE Referral