VCSU Student Affairs Launches Care Team

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University Student Affairs has introduced the VCSU Care Team, a dedicated group of staff focused on the safety, support and overall well-being of the campus community.

The Care Team was formed following specialized training in May 2025 from the National Association for Behavioral Intervention & Threat Assessment. Staff members Mark Nelson, Erin Edinger, Kaleen Peterson, Kelsie Carter, and Jocelyn Santana attended the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) Standards and Practices training on May 7-8, and the Structured Interview for Violence Risk Assessment (SIVRA) training on May 28-29 in Bismarck.

The goal of this training was to create a team utilizing best practices and then follow the national standards of assessment and appropriate intervention. VCSU’s Care Team will begin work in August 2025, replacing the former Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). Core team members are Kaleen Peterson, Erin Edinger, and Kelsie Carter.

VCSU’s Care Team is not a crisis response team but instead addresses the overall welfare of students considering the totality of the circumstances. The team will meet weekly to review referrals, evaluate needs, and coordinate appropriate support. Student referrals can be made at www.vcsu.edu/care.

Care Team Mission Statement

The Care Team is dedicated to the well-being, support, and safety of all members of our campus community. Through proactive identification, assessment, and coordinated response, we foster a culture of care and connection. Our mission is to intervene early, provide appropriate resources, and ensure a respectful and inclusive environment where every individual can thrive.