ChAT Charter
| Group Name | Charger Assessment Team (ChAT) |
| Type of Group | Taskforce |
| Description/Purpose/Charge | The purpose of ChAT is to support the safety and well-being of the campus community by employing a proactive and collaborative approach to identify, assess, and manage student behavioral concerns. |
| Reporting Relationships | The ChAT functions independently and under the leadership of the VPSS. It works collaboratively with all employees. It submits an annual report at the end of the year. |
| Decision-Making Authority | The ChAT has the authority to provide to students resources for mental health, wellness, basic needs, etc. Likewise, it organizes and coordinates workshops and campus presentations, and it selects speakers and advertises events as appropriate. |
| Membership Composition | ChAT is a multi-departmental/division group of employees. Current membership composition: DSS Director Case Manager Mental Health Counselor Health Center Director Campus Safety Director SLL Director C&SD Dean Instructional Faculty Maxient/Conduct Resource Facilitator |
| Terms of Membership | The responsibility and function of ChAT requires membership of experts with specific knowledge and expertise within a college setting. ChAT is a NaBITA (National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment) team and follows NaBITA guidelines, including team composition. The tenure of members is on-going. Team membership does not allow for additional core team members. |
| Membership Process | ChAT membership is at capacity and follows NaBITA guidelines for team membership. |
| Meeting Dates/Times | ChAT meets weekly during regular semesters and only as needed throughout the winter and summer. During semesters, the team meets on Thursdays from 1:30 to 2:45 via Zoom. |
| Meeting Procedures | ChAT receives referrals from employees about students who exhibit concerning behavior or are experiencing challenges such as mental health, food/housing insecurity, etc. The ChAT chair leads each meeting and asks the case manager to introduce the student referrals. The team discusses each student referral and recommends interventions appropriate to the situation and/or challenges facing the student. A confidential agenda is distributed to all ChAT members via a shared drive prior to each meeting. The ChAT is not subject to the Brown Act. |
| Consensus Process, Decision-Making, and Documentation | The decision-making process within ChAT involves recognizing and defining the student behavior/challenges that need intervention. The team gathers relevant information about the student’s behavior/challenges and then analyzes the collected information to understand the underlying factors that may be contributing to the behavior or challenges. ChAT brainstorms and develops a range of intervention strategies considering the expertise of each member. The interventions are put into action and then the team periodically reviews the progress and effectiveness of the interventions. The team maintains detailed records of interventions, progress, and modifications. Clear communication among ChAT members ensures that everyone is updated and aligned with the interventions being implemented. |
| Communication and Distribution of Materials | The work of the ChAT is confidential so its materials, such as agendas, cannot be distributed outside of the ChAT circle. However, ChAT does provide trainings and presentations throughout the year, so training invitations are communicated through all-users email or within divisions for division/department specific presentations. |
| Charter Established/Revised Dates | Charter established on: August 30, 2023 Charter last reviewed on: n/a Charter last revised/approved on: October 5, 2023 |
| Website | https://www.cypresscollege.edu/chat/ |
| Current Roster | Adrienne Sanchez — Case Manager Anna Spencer-Lonetti – Mental Health Professional Celeste Phelps – Director of DSS, ChAT Chair Craig Lee – Director of Campus Safety Dave Okawa – Director of Student Life and Leadership Joselyn Diaz – Maxient and Conduct Resource Facilitator Marla McBride – Director of Health Services Dr. Troy Davis – Dean of Counseling & Student Development Virgil Adams – Professor of Human Services |
| Brown Act | No |