At this time, the Care System is only accessible to OC employees. However, if you or someone you know needs support, please contact Coordinated Support Services directly at occares@okanagan.bc.ca. A list of supports and resources is also available on the Well-Being and Student Support webpage.

Yes, all information regarding a Care Referral and any subsequent conversations remains confidential. Information is only shared with the student’s consent or in rare circumstances where there is reason to believe that you or someone else is at risk of imminent harm. 

No, it will not. A Care Referral is entered into a confidential support database and is not attached to your student record. Only the Coordinated Support Services team can see your Care Referral after it is submitted.

No, it is not. The Care System is meant to connect students to supports when facing difficulties and is not intended to monitor or track student behaviour.

Not at all. The Care System is not a form of discipline. It is designed to provide relevant resources and support as soon as possible.

Instructors or other staff members may notice changes in academic performance, appearance, behaviour, personal well-being, or social interactions and want to ensure you receive the support you need.

Instructors need your consent before submitting a Care Referral. This ensures you are aware of and agree to the referral. No one should ever pressure you into accepting a referral.

No, you don't have to agree. Seeking support is your decision. No one can submit a Care Referral without your consent. If you prefer to seek support without a referral, you can contact the Coordinated Support Services team directly at occares@okanagan.bc.ca. You can also find a list of resources on the Well-Being and Student Support website.

A member of the Coordinated Support Services team will contact you by email to set up a meeting to discuss your challenges and create a support plan.

No, your meeting with Coordinated Support Services is confidential. We will not share any details of your conversation with your instructor without your explicit consent. You are also not required to inform your instructor whether you met with us or accessed any other supports.

Areas we might be able to help you in include mental health support, sexual violence survivor support, food and housing insecurity, academic support, accessing medical care, harm reduction, substance use, legal assistance, connection to Indigenous specific and 2SLGBTQIA+ supports.

Visit the CSS webpage to learn more about the work we do. 

You can email the Coordinated Support Services team at occares@okanagan.bc.ca or visit the Student Services office in the S building on the Kelowna campus to talk to us in person. We are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have!

A holistic support network for early identification and referral. It helps faculty and staff refer students to Coordinated Support Services when they have concerns.

The link to the online form is located on the Employee myOkanagan homepage in the “Useful Links” section under “Student Services.”

Faculty and staff are encouraged to use the Care System when they notice concerns in a student’s:

• Academic Performance: Noticeable decrease in class participation or assignment quality, persistently poor or declining exam grades, difficulty with writing, reading, or numeracy.
• Appearance: Consistently poor or declining personal hygiene.
• Behaviour: Observable changes in mood or behaviour, an unusually withdrawn or distracted student.
• Personal Well-Being: Any changes from the student’s original baseline over time or sudden contrasts to their normal presentation.
• Social Interactions: Sudden social withdrawal or avoidance of interaction with peers.

Remember, these changes from the student’s original baseline could occur over a period of time or present as a sharp, sudden contrast to their normal presentation.

The Care System should not to be used:

• In emergencies
  • If there is an imminent risk of harm to self or others, contact RCMP at 911 or Campus Security at 6699. For situations involving thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or desperation, please seek immediate help through emergency services such as the Suicide Crisis Helpline (call or text 9-8-8), the KUU-US Crisis Line Society (1-800-588-8717), or the BC Mental Health Support Line (310-6789, no area code needed).
• As a disciplinary measure
  • The goal is to provide students with resources and support, not to reprimand. Issues such as foul language, failure to comply, or disruption should be addressed directly as outlined in the Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy.
• As academic misconduct intervention
  • For cheating, plagiarism, or academic fraud, refer to the College’s Academic Integrity Policy. Academic offences are handled by the relevant program area.
• To surveil students
  • The Care System is not for monitoring students. It aims to support students without affecting their academic record or funding. Information is confidential and not attached to the student’s permanent record.
• To report sexual violence disclosures
  • While the Care System is not intended to be utilized for sexual violence disclosures, as we have the other dedicated reporting pathways, we will respond to any such reports with our full support and resources. If a report of this nature is received through the Care System, Coordinated Support Services will reach out to the student to provide immediate assistance, ensure their safety, and connect them with the appropriate resources and support services.

Yes, consent must be obtained from the student prior to making a referral. We recommend reaching out to the student to discuss your concerns and ask if they want to be connected to supports.

Having a conversation with a student to get permission for a referral can take a variety of different forms depending on your comfort level and relationship with the student. Some options we suggest are:

• Informally touching base after class. Make sure to be mindful of confidentiality.
• Scheduling a formal meeting virtually or in an agreed upon office, classroom, or safe space.
• Sending an email asking them to talk in person or outline your concern and desire to help. This email can be as simple as, “I wanted to check in and see how you’re doing. I’ve noticed a bit of a shift in how things have been going for you in class, and I thought I’d reach out in case there’s anything I can do to support you. If you’d like to talk, I’d be happy to meet with you or, if you prefer, I can send along some information about support options available here at OC.”

Things to keep in mind:

• Students may need time to process this information so do not expect an answer immediately. You can always offer to follow up with them in a few days to answer any questions that may have come up.
• The student has a right to decline support. It is important to be respectful of their decision and never pressure or coerce a student into accepting the referral. If a student says no, validate their choice and remind them that they can always connect with you again if they ever change their mind or need help.
• Remember that when speaking with the student, you do not need to take the place of a counsellor or mental health professional. Instead, you are there to check in on the student’s well-being to determine if immediate help is needed, offer observations of the student’s behaviour, and ask for consent from the student to submit a Care Referral.

If you would like some help or suggestions on having these kinds of conversations with students, please connect with Coordinated Support Services at occares@okanagan.bc.ca.

Respect their decision. Remind them they can always connect with you again if they change their mind or need help.

Yes, all information regarding a Care System referral and any subsequent conversations remains confidential. Information is only shared with the student’s consent or in rare circumstances where there is reason to believe that someone is at risk of imminent harm. 

The form is reviewed during business hours, and the student will be contacted by Coordinated Support Services to schedule a meeting. Faculty or staff will not be involved further unless necessary and with the student’s consent.

No, the Care System is an additional option for facilitating referrals. The Care System is not intended to replace other methods of reaching out to us or connecting students to services. 

No, the Care System is designed to provide support to students who may need help navigating these policies. It is not intended for official reporting. To report an issue formally, please follow the procedures outlined in the relevant policy. 

While the Care System is not intended to be utilized for sexual violence disclosures, as we have the other dedicated reporting pathways, we will respond to any such reports with our full support and resources. If a report of this nature is received through the Care System, Coordinated Support Services will reach out to the student to provide immediate assistance, ensure their safety, and connect them with the appropriate resources and support services. For more information, visit the links below.