The Clinical Case Management Team works directly with students who have been connected to higher levels of care to provide support in balancing mental health care and academic goals. The team helps these students build skills and navigate health care and other systems, especially when in a crisis. We advocate for students, empower them to communicate with professors and providers, and assist them in accessing resources both within and outside the university.
While Rutgers offers abundant resources, we understand that navigating them can feel overwhelming. Clinical case management provides short-term, collaborative, and individualized support. Our services include:
- Assisting students with navigating complicated medical, psychological, personal, and/or financial issues
- Providing support to students following psychiatric hospitalization or admission to a higher level of care for therapeutic treatment (e.g. IOP, EISS, APS screening, etc.).
- Connecting students to critical and supportive campus resources (e.g. Dean of Students, ResLife, Academic Advising, Learning Centers, etc.).
- Facilitating referrals to community resources as needed.
- Reviewing insurance with students to better understand their behavioral health benefits and treatment options.
- Aligning with identified long-term goals toward fostering resilience and self-advocacy.
Eligibility and fees
Currently enrolled students who have been referred to a higher level of care are eligible to access case management services at no out-of-pocket costs.
How to get connected
Students are assigned a clinical case manager when connected to a higher level of care, either through a CAPS referral or notification from a community provider. The case manager then reaches out to the student via phone or secure message to provide support.
FAQs
- Is Case Management free?
There is no charge for case management consultations and sessions. Clinical case management, like CAPS’s other services, is supported by the Rutgers student health fee.
- How long do services last?
Sometimes a student feels their case management needs have been met with just one meeting. Other times, case management can be a source of support over multiple meetings while students navigate the concerns listed above.
- What if I was psychiatrically hospitalized?
Following a hospitalization, the Case Management teams helps to ensure a smooth transition back to classes and the campus community with the necessary resources and support services in place.
A student can expect to hear from a member of the Case Management team 24-72 hours after being discharged from care. At this time, student may be asked about their length of treatment and to provide documentation of treatment recommendations provided by the hospital. The information will be utilize to provide academic assistance for students and to create a holistic student support plan to help students return back to the Rutgers community safely.- How is this different from therapy?
Case managers may assist with problem solving and skill-building in the context of your meeting, but their role is different from that of a therapist. Their primary role is to help you connect with the resources and support your need within RU and the wider community. Case managers are part of your treatment team and may work alongside your therapist and/or psychiatrist to provide most effective and supportive care.
- What if CAPS isn't the right fit for me and I want more treatment?
CAPS Case Managers can provide support while you establish care with a community provider. Once connected, our Case Managers will follow up to see if your needs have been met, or if you need additional access to mental health services in the community.
Case Managers will also follow up to see if you are experiencing any barriers to getting connected. They will assist you in making successful connections to services that best fit your needs, preferences, and availability.- Is case management confidential?
Case management at CAPS is a confidential service. Though consultations with case managers are not therapy sessions, they are protected by the same ethical and legal standards.
Referral Coordination:
Alongside our Case Management team is our Referral Coordinator assists students with connection to community supports including individual therapy and psychiatry. Our referral coordinator will help you review your insurance benefits to determine the best fit for your needs based on availability, needs, and preferences. Since CAPS offers a short-term model, for students interested in long-term therapy options, we provide assistance and follow up until we know you have connected.
