Responding to Referrals
To centralize and streamline our community's ability to respond quickly and with care to students who may need support, we receive referrals from community members throughout and beyond the University. Anyone can refer a student to our office - we typically receive referrals from Instructors, staff, students, GSI’s, as well as family and the general public for students at UC Berkeley who may be going through a tough time. Through on-going review of these referrals during business hours, our team is able to identify students who may need extra support and assign a Case Manager to work with them in navigating challenges.
Understanding Your Experience
While our highly trained Case Management team receives and reviews the information shared in referrals from community members, we firmly believe in centering students’ perspectives in working together. You are the expert on your life, and in connecting with a Case Manager, you will be invited to share what you’ve been experiencing in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Your Case Manager might ask questions to make sure we understand what you’ve been experiencing, your wellbeing and safety, and other details so that we can make sure we are providing assistance that is aligned with your particular situation.
Identifying Priorities, Options, and Where to Start
In working with you to understand your experience, your Case Manager will also explore your goals and what is most important to you in moving forward. Sometimes students are facing several hardships at once - Case Managers can help students in identifying which issues to tackle first - informed by your goals and your safety and wellbeing. You and your Case Manager will work together to identify options for addressing or assisting with any hardship(s) you are facing.
Exploring Supportive Connections and Resources
UC Berkeley has a number of support resources for students - sometimes it can be hard to know which office to reach out to for assistance. One way that Case Managers support students is by exploring and identifying support resources on campus that might best fit your situation, and helping you connect for further support. Case Managers know that one of the strongest resources students bring is themselves - your strengths, your supportive connections, etc. We’ll talk to you about who’s on your team, what’s working well, and look at other avenues for support and community connection, too.
Navigating the University
UC Berkeley is a big university with many moving parts - sometimes it can be hard to understand the various procedures, policies, and other aspects impacting experiences of hardship. The Case Management team at CSI’s knowledge of university systems and robust campus partnerships can help students navigate both everyday questions and complex administrative processes.
CSI also provides Respondent Services. In this role, Case Managers support students who are responding to allegations of misconduct by helping them to be fully informed of relevant policies and procedures, and receive assistance with connecting with other support services. For more information, please visit our Respondent Services page.
Making a Plan and Moving Forward
In getting to understand your experience, goals, options, and campus resources for support, you and your Case Manager will collaboratively develop an achievable plan for next steps. We believe part of student-centered Case Management is equipping students with the tools they need and empowering them to make well informed decisions and follow up on necessary actions; your Case Manager can provide perspectives, information, troubleshoot any roadblocks, and provide support as you take these steps. Sometimes a student will meet with a Case Manager to check in following their initial meetings; while Case Management support is primarily intended to be a short term support, students can always reach out to their CSI Case Manager for support if needed.