Care coordination is a solutions-focused approach to assisting students with a wide variety of needs, where multiple resources may be beneficial to meet those needs. With an emphasis on “what is possible,” Student Care Coordinators empower students to take an active role in their wellbeing and engage in effective problem solving to identify and implement appropriate solutions.

Student Care Coordination at Vanderbilt is the central and first point of contact for any undergraduate, graduate, or professional student who may have an academic, personal, emotional, medical, and/or other concern. Student Care Coordinators individually assess each student’s needs and explore resources within Vanderbilt’s Student Care Network and/or the Nashville community to facilitate connections to the most appropriate supports. Because a successful plan may include multiple resources, Student Care Coordinators can provide continuity of care and accountability through supportive follow-up meetings with students to evaluate successes, barriers, and/or gaps in support.

It’s important to note that care coordination is not counseling or therapy. Rather, Student Care Coordinators have the opportunity to develop close helping relationships with students while coaching them toward appropriate resources, self-care, and self-advocacy.

• 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
• Assess a student’s needs
• 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 returning from a Medical Leave of Absence

Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, who have been assessed and have paid the Student Health Fee are eligible for care coordination services. For more information about eligibility for services, click here.

Complete the Student Care Coordination Intake Form. Upon completion, you will be directed to schedule a 30-minute in-person, zoom, or telephone appointment with a Student Care Coordinator.

You may also call 615-343-WELL (9355) or drop by Rand Hall, Suite 305 Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm.

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.

The Student Care Network is a holistic network of services and resources pertaining to health and wellness available to all Vanderbilt University students. Primary offices include Student Care Coordination, the University Counseling Center, the Student Health Center, and the Center for Student Wellbeing. Students also have access to a wide range of additional on-campus and community resources through the Student Care Network – from the Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center to the Project Safe Center to a variety of community providers. To facilitate finding resources, students may refer to the Student Care Network website, or contact the Student Care Coordination.

Services at the primary offices of the Student Care Network (Student Care Coordination, Center for Student Wellbeing, Student Health Center, and University Counseling Center) are provided to Vanderbilt University’s degree-seeking students from the time of matriculation until commencement. Students who become inactive either permanently (through graduation or withdrawal from the university) or temporarily (through leave of absence or through a withdrawal from a semester) may be granted one or two additional sessions to support the transition of care, if approved by the office’s leadership.

To learn more about eligibility for services, click here.

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. With over 75+ research collaborations and 26 published studies as the mindfulness digital intervention of choice, Headspace has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, increase resilience and happiness. Enroll in Vanderbilt’s program here. 

You can also visit the Student Care Network to learn about more resources and apps that are available to assist you in supporting your emotional wellbeing.

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.

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.

• 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 someone you know needs to speak with a professional counselor immediately, the University Counseling Center (UCC) offers crisis care counseling during the summer and academic year.

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.

To read more about how to help another student, click here.

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 staff member reaching out to the student directly and working with the student on a success plan or appropriate referrals. A staff member may contact the reporting party for additional information. A reporting party may not receive any specific follow-up information due to privacy laws and regulations.

You have a unique opportunity to be a strong partner in your student’s health and wellbeing and it is important for you to be aware of the resources available on campus. Parents can learn more about resources and services here. Listen for cues that your student might be facing challenges, share campus resources that may help, and encourage your student to reach out.  Open communication is important. For more information, click here.

While we ask that parents not fill out a Student Care Coordination Intake Form on behalf of their student, parents are welcome to call Student Care Coordination at 615-343-WELL to learn more about resources and how to best support your student.

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.