Campus Advocacy Response & Empowerment (CARE)
Who We Are: The CARE Team is a group of trained professionals dedicated to connecting students with support, resources, and care to help promote their well-being, success, and a safe, supportive campus environment.
What We Do: The CARE Team helps identify and support students who may benefit from resources like Pete’s Closet by providing guidance, encouragement, and connections to services that promote stability, resilience, and student success.
Mission Statement: The CARE Team uses a proactive and coordinated approach to assess student concerns, provide early intervention and support, and connect individuals with appropriate resources while helping maintain a safe and supportive campus environment.
What the CARE Team is not.
While the CARE Team can be a great resource and tool for helping students, it can't do everything. There are some services that CARE Team is not equipped to offer.
Emergency Services
If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing an active crisis, please call 911 for emergency assistance.Counseling Services
We partner to help connect students with counseling resources, though the CARE Team itself does not provide counseling services.Get Out of Jail Free Card
We are happy to assist students who face obstacles in wellness or academics, but we expect students to make an effort.Pete’s Closet
Pete’s Closet is a confidential and anonymous student support fund that helps remove barriers to student success by providing essential resources and assistance during times of personal, academic, financial, or medical hardship.
Common Questions
Some of the need-to-knows regarding the campus CARE Team.
* Please note that emergencies should be reported to Campus Safety Dispatch immediately at 606-539-4444 or call 911 directly
If you are concerned about someone's well-being, submit a referral. You do not need proof that something is wrong. The CARE Team can assess the situation and determine the appropriate response. Early referrals often allow us to provide support before challenges become crises.
Anyone. Students, faculty, staff, parents, family members, roommates, friends, and community members can all submit concerns.
Referrals may be submitted for any member of the University community, including students, faculty, staff, and, when appropriate, visitors or others with a connection to the University. The CARE Team will assess each referral and coordinate the appropriate support or intervention based on the individual's role and the nature of the concern.
The CARE Team welcomes referrals involving concerns such as:
- Emotional or mental health concerns
- Significant changes in behavior
- Financial hardship or basic needs insecurity
- Housing instability
- Academic difficulties
- Concerning or disruptive behavior
- Substance misuse
- Threats to self or others
- Personal or family crises
- Any situation where you are concerned about someone's well-being or safety
The CARE Team reviews the concern, gathers additional information when appropriate, determines the level of support needed, reaches out to the individual when appropriate, and coordinates resources and interventions.
The CARE Team may provide general follow-up when appropriate, but privacy laws often limit what specific information can be shared.
The CARE Team respects privacy and shares information only with those who have a legitimate educational or business need to know, consistent with applicable laws and University policies.
Yes. Anonymous referrals are accepted. However, providing your contact information may help the CARE Team gather additional information if needed and allow us to follow up with you.
If there is an immediate threat to someone's safety, call 911 and University Operations/Public Safety immediately. Emergency situations should not wait for a CARE Team referral.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn't seem right, submit a referral. You don't have to know exactly what's wrong—the CARE Team can help assess the situation and connect your friend with appropriate support.
Absolutely. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to submit a referral for themselves if they are experiencing challenges and would like support.
Depending on the situation, the CARE Team may connect individuals with:
- Counseling and mental health services
- Academic support
- Accessibility Services
- Financial assistance resources
- Housing resources
- Food assistance
- Medical or wellness services
- Title IX resources
- Community organizations
- Crisis intervention and other campus support services
Our CARE Team
Just a few of our CARE Team members
Matthew Plementosh
Matthew Plementosh
Contact Information
Christopher O'Dell