UK Community of Concern Has New Name to Better Reflect Mission
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 21, 2020) — The university’s former Community of Concern (CoC), led by Director Therese Smith, has undergone a name change, reflecting its focus on individual assessment and support; connection to resources; and meeting the holistic needs of students.
The new Center for Support and Intervention (CSI) encompasses the following:
- Education and outreach to the university community regarding how to identify and support individuals who may be experiencing distress and/or causing distress to others.
- Facilitating the Community of Concern Team: a multi-disciplinary body that reviews cases and provides suggestions on intervention with the larger goal of preventing harm or violence on campus.
- Intensive non-clinical case management and support to students experiencing and/or causing distress via intervention strategies to support student success and prevent harm.
- Supporting students who identify as needing assistance, meeting their basic needs in order to remain in school.
- Managing the Big Blue Pantry, UK’s student food pantry.
“While our mission remains the same, we believe the new name accounts for the complete scope of our practice,” Smith said.
University of Kentucky's CSI (formerly CoC) was established in 2011 to provide support for students and employees in crisis, or those who have been identified as exhibiting concerning or worrisome behavior.
The office works closely with campus resources to provide early intervention for students who may be struggling personally, or whose behavior has led others to be concerned for their well-being.
CSI also serves as the central hub to address students' immediate basic food and housing needs. Its case managers meet with students to provide connection and access to resources, create action plans for success, and monitor student progress.
Reports are still being reviewed and responded to. Please complete a report if you have a concern regarding a university community member.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.