Action Crisis Team for Students (ACTS)

October 2021

Elizabeth David, Dean of Student Services

2

The Academic Senate for the California Community Colleges adopted the Standards of Practice for counseling in the colleges in this state in spring 1997. They derived the “Core Functions” of counseling from the California Educational Code and from the American Counseling Association.

Colleges must provide the following Crisis Intervention in relation to counseling services:

• 1) Personal counseling, in which the student is assisted with personal, family or other social concerns, when that assistance is related to the students education.

• 2) Crisis intervention directly or through cooperative arrangements with other resources on campus or in the community.

Introduction

ACTSMission Statement:

The Action Crisis Team for Students (ACTS), is a cross functional team of professionals that evaluates and responds to concerns related to students in distress that is negatively impacting the achievement of their academic goals and well-being. The team identifies solutions to best support students and the campus community at large.

Purpose/Charge:

The Action Crisis Team for Students (ACTS), purpose is to identify, assess, evaluate and respond to concerning student behaviors related to mental health. The ACTS considers and develops holistic “immediate and short-term” interventions to ensure the safety and well-being of the campus to optimize student success.

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Adaptive short-term psychological helping-process that focuses on solely on an immediate and identifiable problem

4

RepresentativesAction Crisis Team for Students (ACTS) | San Joaquin Delta College

• Counseling

• Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS)

• Campus Police/Security

• Title IX

• Student Conduct

• Health Center/Therapist

Crisis Committee Membership

5

What can be shared?

• School officials with legitimate educational interest Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

• “Counseling faculty should keep confidential any information related to a student’s use of counseling services, avoiding unwarranted disclosure of information.”

• “The rule of confidentiality does not apply when “disclosure is required to prevent clear and imminent danger to the counselee or others, or when legal requirements demand that confidential information be revealed.”

Academic Senate of California Community Colleges:

Standards of Practice for California Community Colleges Counseling Programs

Confidentiality

6

How does your role interact with students?

• As a faculty, staff or administrator interacting with students, you are in an excellent position to recognize behavior changes that characterize the emotionally distressed student.

• A student’s behavior, especially if it is inconsistent with your previous observations, could well constitute “a cry for help.”

• Your ability to recognize the signs of emotional distress and to acknowledge your concerns directly to the student is often the most significant factor a successful problem resolution.

Role of College Employees

Action Crisis Team for Students (ACTS) - Referral Flow Chart

Student of ConcernFaculty Intervention &

Division Dean Consultation

Emergency/Urgent Health Threat Call District Police

MAXIENT:

Faculty Submits Report

Dean of Student Services ACTS Chair

Campus Police / City Police Intervention

Welfare Check/Wellness

Counseling Follow-up with Student

Maxient Level Mild:

FYI Report

Maxient Level Moderate:

Personal Counseling Intervention Report

Personal Counseling & referral Follow-up (as

necessary)

Maxient Level Severe: Mental Health/Crisis

Intervention

Crisis/Mental Health Intervention

Personal Counseling & referral follow-up

ACTS

8

NaBITA Risk Rubric

9

Levels of Crisis InterventionLevel: Urgent/Emergency

Submit a Maxient report after contacting Campus Police Harm to self, to others Criminal/unlawful activity

What to do:• Faculty contacts the District Police at (209) 954-5000 for intervention

or Welfare/Wellness Check• Provide as much information as possible (i.e., who, what,

where, when).

Level: Mild Submit an FYI Maxient report Significant changes in academic performance in the classroom Missed class assignments Issues adjusting to college Change in pattern of interaction (withdrawn, angry, defensive) Changes in physical appearance (hygiene, attire, injuries) Problems concentrating/remembering things or making

decisions

What to do:• Faculty speaks to the student in private when time permits

• Express concern using non-judgmental communication• Identify available options and support services • Suggest they visit Academic Counseling

Level: Moderate Submit an Intervention Maxient report Behavior which may interfere with class management Disruptive behavior High levels of irritability or inappropriate excitement Feelings of anxiety, depression, or negative self talk Lack of sleep or decreased energy Difficulty dealing with separation, divorce, death or other relationship issues

What to do:

• Faculty speaks to the student in private when time permits• Express concern using non-judgmental communication• Identify available options and support services • Do not attempt to diagnose the student• Suggest they visit Academic Counseling if applicable

Level: Critical Submit an Intervention Maxient report Outbursts of anger Overwhelming feelings of anxiety, depression or hopelessness Delusional or loss of reality (seeing/hearing things that are not there, beliefs or

actions at odds with reality) Suspiciousness or irrational feelings of persecution Thoughts or action plan of harming self or harming others Substance abuse

What to do:

• Faculty speaks to the student in private when time permits• Stay calm and don’t challenge the students perceptions• Identify available options and support services • Do not attempt to diagnose the student• Suggest they visit Academic Counseling if applicable

10

Coming Soon

• Maxient User Trainings

• Maxient Reporting Informational Workshops

• Crisis Intervention Trainings

• Cross Functional Trainings for ACTS/Student Conduct

• First Aid Responders Trainings

• Acts Website Redesign

• Faculty Resource Handbook

• Community Resource Brochure

QUESTIONS?