Action Care Team

Coordinated Care for Students of Concern

The Action Care Team (ACT) is a multidisciplinary group of SFSU professionals focused on early identification, coordinated response and ongoing support for students in distress or exhibiting concerning behavior. 

ACT reduces barriers to success by addressing behavioral, emotional or safety concerns through collaboration and compassionate intervention. The team’s goal is to maintain a safe, healthy campus community while ensuring students receive appropriate care. 

Mission of the Action Care Team

The Action Care Team (ACT) is committed to the health, well-being and safety of the SFSU community. ACT reviews referrals about students of concern, gathers information and determines the most appropriate strategies for outreach and support. 

This approach reflects higher education best practice for Behavioral Intervention Teams, emphasizing proactive engagement and early intervention when students display disruptive, erratic or concerning behaviors. 

Purpose 

ACT provides an avenue for early intervention and coordinated care for at-risk students by: 

  • Consulting with campus departments, faculty and staff;
  • Reviewing and responding to reports of concerning or disruptive behavior;
  • Connecting students with campus and community resources; and
  • Promoting an organized, consistent and confidential response process. 

The ACT operates following best practices endorsed by the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NABITA), a national organization dedicated to safe campuses through preventive intervention. In fact, SFSU’s ACT is the university’s implementation of a Behavioral Intervention Team, aligning with the emerging higher education standard of early intervention for at-risk students. The primary goal is to engage the campus in proactive outreach and early intervention strategies so that when a student shows signs of distress or disruptive behavior, the situation can be addressed before it escalates. By following the NABITA-informed approach, ACT emphasizes “caring prevention and intervention” – meaning the team intervenes with compassion and concern, focusing on getting students the support they need while also keeping the campus community safe. 

How the ACT helps: If a student is struggling – whether due to mental health concerns, personal crises or troubling behavior – anyone in the campus community can submit an ACT referral. The ACT then evaluates the report and brings together the right people to assist that student. Through confidential consultation and action plans, the team addresses issues ranging from emotional distress to potential threats in a sensitive yet effective way. This early-alert system exemplifies SFSU’s commitment to student well-being: students are not punished for asking for help; they are supported. As a result, those who face significant challenges can get connected to counseling, medical care, academic support or other resources as needed, helping them stay on track and maintain their safety and success.   

When to Refer

Follow the process for referring a student or submitting a report to the Action Care Team.

If you observe behavior that feels unusual, concerning or disruptive, trust your instincts — submit an ACT report. Even if you’re unsure, our team can assess the situation. 

Examples of situations to refer: 

  • Unusual or erratic behavior in class, advising or residence halls.
  • Threatening words, gestures or actions suggesting harm to self or others.
  • Written or verbal threats directed toward students, faculty or staff.
  • Creative work containing violent or alarming themes.
  • Expressions of suicidal thoughts, intent or plan.
  • Marked academic decline, poor self-care or repeated classroom disruption.
  • Students seeking help with personal issues outside your professional role. 

Emergency: 

  • If a student’s behavior is imminently dangerous or involves a weapon, call University Police Department (UPD) at (415) 338-2222.
  • If calling 911 from a cell phone on campus, dial (415) 338-2222 for direct UPD access.
  • Non-emergency UPD: (415) 338-7200. 

For consultation about mental health concerns, contact  Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at (415) 338-2208. 

Submitting a report allows ACT to evaluate the situation and coordinate support. A team member may contact you within a few days to gather context and determine next steps. 

Please include as much detail as possible — accurate information ensures an effective, appropriate response. 

Submit an ACT Referral Form

After a report is submitted: 

  • ACT reviews the information and determines the appropriate outreach plan.
  • You may be contacted for clarification or additional context.
  • Updates may be shared when relevant to your direct interactions with the student.
  • Not all cases will result in follow-up communication due to confidentiality, but all reports are reviewed individually and taken seriously.