Assessment and Care Team (ACT)
We’re Here to Help
The Assessment and Care Team (ACT) supports students and helps keep our campus safe and caring. ACT works with staff and faculty to reach out when someone might need help or is showing signs of distress. Our goal is to connect students with care early before things become a crisis or conduct issue.
Submit a Student Wellbeing ReportWhen to Reach Out
If you notice a student (or if you are a student) showing signs that something might be wrong, it’s okay to speak up.
When in doubt, reach out.
You can share a concern if you see:
- Major changes in mood, energy, or behavior
- Talking about giving up or feeling hopeless
- Unusual anger, fear, or withdrawal
- Repeated absences or missed deadlines
- A drop in academic performance without clear reason
- Worrisome messages/assignments, social media posts, or emails
- Signs of stress, substance use, or self-harm
How to Report a Concern
If someone may be in immediate danger, always call 911 first.
Otherwise, here’s how to choose the right next step:
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| You think someone might harm themselves or others | Call RTC Security at (425) 235-7871 |
| You see or hear about a possible conduct violation | Submit a Student Misconduct Report |
| A student seems emotionally overwhelmed, struggling with family or work stress, or talking about mental health | Contact Behavioral Health Services at (425) 235-6635 or Submit Referral |
| You notice a student who seems “off,” disengaged, or in distress but not in danger | Submit a Student Wellbeing Report |
What Happens After You Submit a Student Wellbeing Report
After you submit a Student Wellbeing Report, the Assessment and Care Team (ACT) takes several steps to make sure it’s reviewed carefully and handled with care:
- Review and triage:
- A member of the ACT reviews every report to understand the situation and decide what level of support may be needed.
- Consultation and planning:
- Sometimes the team may simply check in with the person who submitted the report to gather more information or talk through possible next steps. In other cases, the ACT meets to create a plan for outreach and support.
- Support and referral:
Depending on the concern, ACT may:- Offer guidance or coaching to faculty or staff on how to support a student.
- Connect the student with on-campus services (like Counseling, Accessibility, or Advising).
- Refer the student to community resources if outside support is more appropriate.
- Recommend follow-up through the Student Conduct process, if the situation involves a policy violation.
- Monitor the situation over time if continued observation is needed.
- Confidentiality and coordination:
- ACT keeps reports private and secure in line with FERPA regulations. Information is only shared with college officials who need to know in order to support the student or protect safety.
Each case is unique. Some may be resolved quickly while others may take more time or involve several campus departments.
No matter what, the ACT’s focus remains the same:
- Support student well-being
- Keep our community safe
- Connect people to the right help at the right time
Why is this important?
Renton Technical College believes in a caring, inclusive, and equitable campus.
The ACT supports this by helping students stay connected, stay safe, and stay enrolled because everyone deserves a chance to succeed.
Remember: Asking for help or sharing a concern is a sign of care and courage.
The team includes staff from Student Success, Counseling, and Campus Safety who meet regularly to review reports and coordinate care.
Core Members:
- Anthony Covington, Dean of Student Success
- Jessica Gilmore English, Vice President of Student Services
- Sarah Hoaglin, Behavioral Health
- Matt Vielbig, Director of Safety & Security
ACT may invite other college experts when special knowledge or help is needed (for example, Accessibility, Financial Aid, or Veterans Services).