>
Student Care Coordination

Services

Often the first point of contact when seeing care, we help students navigate and connect with campus and community resources. Here are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about Student Care Coordination, and the services we provide.

Overview FAQ

  • What do care coordinators do?
    • Consult with students, faculty, staff, families, and community members/providers to determine the best approach for a student’s individual situation.
    • Respond to concerns from the Vanderbilt community about students in distress.
    • Reach out to and follow-up with students in distress
    • Meet with students one-on-one to assess individual needs and develop a student success plan
    • Meet with students one-on-one to develop a student success plan
    • Facilitate continuity of care and continued support with students via follow-up meetings (in-person, email and/or telephone).
    • Provide referrals to campus and community resources and assist with scheduling appointments.
    • Coordinate academic support following illness or hospitalization (i.e., coordination of Dean’s notification).
    • Provide support for students before, during, and after a Medical Leave of Absence.
  • What don't care coordinators do?
    • Meetings with a care coordinator at SCC are private, but we cannot guarantee confidentiality in order to coordinate and provide you with the best care. If students need to speak with a confidential resource, SCC can guide you to an appropriate resource.
    • SCC is not in direct communication with individual professors.
    • SCC can help guide you to resources and make referrals for off-campus providers, but due to privacy reasons, we are not able to schedule these appointments for you.
    • SCC cannot grant or approve academic or housing accommodations or write documentation letters in support of accommodations. We can, however, help you navigate the process of working with Student Access.
  • If I am an incoming student, can I speak with a student care coordinator before arriving on campus?

    Yes! Student Care Coordination is happy to speak with incoming students about services and resources that may be beneficial to have established before arriving to campus. Please call Student Care Coordination at 615-343-WELL (9355) to speak with a Student Care Coordinator. We also encourage you to check out other resources available through the Student Care Network.

  • Is care coordination confidential?

    The services of Student Care Coordination fall under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This means the content of meetings with a Student Care Coordinator will be kept private to the extent possible; however, information may be shared on a need-to-know basis with appropriate personnel within Vanderbilt University in order to coordinate and provide you with the best care. If it is necessary to share information with off-campus providers or others, you will be asked to sign a written release.

    If you would like to speak with a confidential resource, Student Care Coordination can guide you to appropriate campus resources.

  • Who is eligible for care coordination?

    Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, who have been assessed and have paid the required fees are eligible for care coordination services.

    Learn More

Mental Health FAQ

  • What if I need to see a therapist on campus?

    Student Care Coordinators work closely with students to identify needs and concerns and explore the most appropriate resources available to address these concerns. If therapy is recommended, Student Care Coordinators can assist with scheduling an appointment at the University Counseling Center (UCC).

  • How can I connect with a mental health provider off-campus?

    Many students need or want ongoing mental health support that may be more specialized, personalized, or for longer duration than is available at the UCC. Student Care Coordinators are available to help you understand your health insurance benefits and connect you with a mental health provider off-campus. This guide also offers helpful tips and questions that may assist you in finding the right provider for your needs. If you have financial concerns about seeing a provider off-campus, call 615-343-WELL to speak with a Student Care Coordinator.

  • Are there steps I can take on my own to improve my emotional wellbeing?

    Yes! Vanderbilt offers all students access to Headspace, an award-winning, research-backed digital tool for mindful living with over 1,200+ hours of themed meditations, sleep content, mindful movement exercises, and focus music. Review other campus resources that are available to assist you in supporting your emotional wellbeing.

  • What is a Medical Leave of Absence and when might this be appropriate?

    It is not uncommon for students to experience challenging life situations, medical conditions, or psychological conditions during their time at Vanderbilt. Students may consider taking a Medical Leave of Absence, or MLOA, when these concerns significantly impair or limit their ability to function safely and successfully as a student. An MLOA allows students time away from school to fully attend to their health and wellbeing. Support and additional information is available through your academic Dean’s office and/or Student Care Coordination.

  • What do I do if I am concerned about myself, a student in my class, or a friend?
    • If there is an emergency on campus, call the Vanderbilt University Police Department (VUPD) at (615) 421-1911. (The non-emergency VUPD number is (615) 322-2745.)
    • If there is an emergency off campus, call 911
    • If someone you know needs immediate medical assistance, they should visit the nearest emergency room. The closest emergency room to campus is the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Emergency Room located at 1211 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37232.
    • If you or someone you know needs to speak with a professional counselor immediately, the University Counseling Center offers Urgent Care Counseling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students may call the UCC at (615) 322-2571 to speak with a clinician. If you are calling after hours, press 1 to be transferred to an answering service with mental health providers on call.
    • It’s important to remember that you are not alone. We have numerous resources available to support students and we encourage you to reach out to Student Care Coordination for assistance.
    • Faculty, staff, students, and other community members can also report their concerns pertaining to the personal, physical, or emotional wellbeing of a student using the Student of Concern Form.
  • What happens after I submit a Student of Concern Report?

    Once a Student of Concern Form is submitted, appropriate Student Care Coordination staff will review and assess the information in order to determine the best course of action for follow-up. Follow-up is individually tailored and, where possible, relationship-driven, and it may include a SCN staff member reaching out to the student directly and working with the student on a success plan or appropriate referrals. While a staff member may contact the reporting party for additional information, the reporting party may not receive any specific follow-up information due to privacy laws and regulations.