What is the Care System?

The Care System is Okanagan College’s early alert and referral tool for connecting students to Coordinated Support Services (CSS). Designed to promote student well-being and success, it allows employees to refer students who may be navigating challenges or in need of extra guidance. This article outlines how to submit a referral, what happens after submission and how the CSS team follows up with students to offer personalized support. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

The Care System is not for emergencies or crisis situations. If someone is at immediate risk of harm, call 911 or contact Campus Security. It is also not intended for submitting complaints, appeals or academic misconduct reports. For those matters, please follow the appropriate college policies and procedures.

Before submitting a referral: 
Consent must be obtained from the student prior to making a referral. Please reach out to the student to discuss your concerns and ask if they would like to be connected to supports.

Step 1: Go to the employee myOkanagan homepage and click on the “Submit a Care Referral” link under the Student Services section. 

Step 2: Fill out the referral form. Provide the requested information about the student and relevant details about the concern. 

Step 3: Submit the form. You will receive a confirmation email. The CSS team will reach out to the student within 2 business days to schedule a meeting. Faculty or staff will not be involved further unless necessary and with the student’s consent. 

Note: Students have the right to not answer right away or decline support entirely. It is important to be respectful of their decision and not pressure them into accepting the referral. If the student says no, validate their choice and remind them that they can connect with you again if they change their mind or need help in the future. 

FAQs

Q1: Who can submit a Care System referral?
A1: At this time, only Okanagan College employees can submit a referral on behalf of a student. If a student wants to refer themselves or someone else to support, they can contact the CSS team directly at occares@okanagan.bc.ca. A list of supports and resources is also available on the Well-Being and Student Support webpage.

Q2: Is the Care System confidential?
A2: 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.  

Q3: What kind of support can students receive?
A3: Support may include academic help, mental health support, well-being resources, financial aid options, harm reduction, connection to Indigenous-focused and 2SLGBTQIA+ supports, referrals to campus and community resources, and more.

Q4: What is the Care System not used for? 
A4: The Care System is not an emergency response tool. If there is an immediate safety concern, call 911 or Campus Security. It is also not used for submitting complaints, academic appeals, grade disputes, or reports of academic misconduct. Please refer to the appropriate Okanagan College policies and reporting processes for those matters.

Q5: Can the Care System be used to report disclosures of sexual violence?
A5: While the Care System is not intended to be utilized for sexual violence disclosures, as we have the other dedicated reporting pathways available on the Sexual Violence Support webpage, 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, CSS will reach out to the student to provide immediate assistance, ensure their safety, and connect them with the appropriate resources and support services.  

Resources and links

• Care System Webpage
• Care System Info Guide
• Care System Quick Facts for Students
• Coordinated Support Services Webpage
• Well-Being and Student Support Webpage
• Sexual Violence Support Webpage 

Conclusion and next steps

The Care System is dedicated to fostering a compassionate and supportive environment at Okanagan College. Our goal is to connect students with meaningful resources while respecting their autonomy—students remain in control of what support looks like for them. When you submit a referral, you’re helping create opportunities for students to access the help they need, in a way that works for them.

To learn more or explore additional resources, visit the Care System webpage or contact the CSS team at occares@okanagan.bc.ca.