What is MCC Cares?
Metropolitan Community College (MCC) cares about the health, safety and success of our students and campus community.
The MCC Cares initiative coordinates established resources, such as MCC's Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), Counseling, Disability Support Services and MCC Police to respond to students in distress.
We are hopeful that a focus on caring for our students will help reduce the stigma often associated with making an MCC Cares referral. Students seeking assistance might find it helpful to speak with an MCC counselor.
What should I do?
If you are concerned about someone's behavior in the campus community, please submit a referral. Examples of the types of behaviors to refer include:
- a sharp decline in academic performance
- disruptive, destructive, aggressive or violent behavior
- bullying, stalking, harassment or discrimination, including online
- dramatic changes in mood, personality, appearance, behavior or weight
- reports of abuse, domestic violence or sexual assault
- disturbing or threatening comments in conversation, e-mail, letters, social media postings or written assignments/presentations
- appearing under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- self-harming behaviors, such as cutting or suicidal ideation or threats
- paranoia
- frequently angry/easily frustrated
- any behavior that violates the MCC Student Code of Conduct
These behaviors, especially when more than one are present, may be signs that a student is in distress. There are many helpful resources available at MCC. Your referral can make a difference.
When there is a medical emergency or a person is an immediate threat to self or others, call MCC Police first at 816.604.1200.
How do I submit a referral?
If you have concerns about a student, submit a referral. Please be sure to include as much specific, objective information as you can. The referral form provides space to describe the behaviors of concern and to attach any supporting materials (photos, writings, etc.). If you have questions about making a referral, you can consult with your campus Dean of Student Development.
Frequently asked questions
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We encourage all members of the campus community (students, employees, community members or visitors to our campus) to "be aware, show you care"
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When in doubt, please refer. Your reported concerns could be critical as we seek to determine whether an expressed concern is an isolated event or a sign of a more serious issue that requires intervention.
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When a referral is received, we will only know the identity of the person making the referral if this information is included.
Anonymous referrals can be made but limit our ability to investigate and intervene. We do encourage you to include your contact information so that if we need additional information or have questions, we can gather this information more quickly.
While every attempt is made to respect your privacy, there may be situations where the student can deduce who made the referral.
For information on MCC's confidential reporting of a sexual assault, discrimination, harassment or other Title IX issues, call 816.604.1529 or email mcc.confidential@mcckc.edu.
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If you are concerned about a student's behavior and would like to see the student receive assistance, please share your concerns with MCC Cares.
We ask that you do not promise confidentiality as you may have to break this promise if a student's well-being is at stake.
An acceptable response to this request would be, "I cannot promise total confidentiality, but I do promise that I will only share this information with those who need to know and who can help."
For instances of sexual assault, dating and/or domestic violence, mandatory reporting is required of employees.
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Referral information is accessible to a small team of trained individuals who will review the referral and determine next steps.
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When you submit your referral, the team receives electronic notification. Depending on the nature of the referral, reports will be prioritized.
However, not all submissions will warrant immediate response and in some cases no response is warranted at that time.
Generally, referrals are monitored during normal business hours.
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Individuals must contact MCC Police at 816.604.1200 FIRST if the person of concern poses an immediate threat to self or others OR the individual experiences a medical emergency (e.g. seizure, loss of consciousness).
The MCC Cares team plays a secondary role to all urgent circumstances and should be contacted only after initial emergency notifications are made.
Individuals should follow up during the next business day by completing the MCC Cares referral.
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Employees are encouraged to follow the guidelines set forth by their supervisor when it comes to communication regarding students of concern.
We simply ask that this communication also be shared through the MCC Cares team so that, when appropriate, we can coordinate support for the student in conjunction with the actions of the person making the Cares referral, supervisor, department chair and/or dean plan to take.
For information on MCC's confidential reporting of a sexual assault, discrimination, harassment or other Title IX issues, call 816.604.1529 or email mcc.confidential@mcckc.edu.