Early Assist
RRC Polytech values its students and their well-being. Early Assist is a confidential online platform that provides the RRC Polytech community, including faculty, staff and students, an opportunity to identify students who may be struggling personally (non-academic), and offer them appropriate support and services at an early stage.
If you recognize that a RRC Polytech student may be having difficulties, submit an Early Assist Referral.
Note: Early Assist is not for emergencies. In an emergency, see community crisis resources or call 911. If a student wishes, they can also request a same-day crisis appointment through Student Counselling Services.
About Early Assist
Life at RRC Polytech is unique – keeping up with demanding academic curriculum, balancing personal lives, and achieving academic and personal goals can be challenging. RRC Polytech has a wide range of student services and resources in place that can help support students. Early Assist is a system that helps faculty, staff, and students identify and reach out to a student who could benefit from these services and help them connect with appropriate support.
RRC Polytech’s Early Assist Program
Early Assist provides an opportunity for students to get support at an early stage. The earlier a student gets connected with the best supports, the better chance they have to improve their wellbeing and academic performance.
Early Assist provides a clear, centralized place where RRC Polytech faculty, staff, and students can share their concerns.
How Early Assist Works
Any member of the RRC Polytech community may observe behaviours that give them cause for concern. When possible, that person should attempt to connect with the student regarding their concern and encourage them to access supports available on campus.
If concerns persist or this conversation is not possible, the member of RRC Polytech with concerns, can complete an Early Assist online referral form.
Once the online referral is submitted, the Early Assist case manager will receive and assess the information in the form. If action is needed, the Early Assist case manager will reach out to the person via email or phone, and connect them with the appropriate supports.
Any information submitted through Early Assist is confidential. RRC Polytech will not disclose students’’ personal information to a third party without consent, unless required or permitted by law.
Note: When possible/appropriate, always connect with the person you are concerned about prior to submitting an Early Assist referral. If you let them know you are concerned, they will feel cared for. If you let them know that the Early Assist case manager will be reaching out to them, they will be more receptive to the reach out knowing the referral came out of care and concern.
No Negative Impacts
Early Assist referrals will never get a student in trouble for academic or non-academic misconduct, and will not show up on a student’s academic records.
Privacy
Access to the information collected through the Early Assist referral form is limited to the Early Assist case manager, and on a need-to-know basis with the trained, professional staff within Student Support Services that the referred student connects with.
Maintaining student privacy is paramount. Any personal information communicated through the RRC Polytech Early Assist program is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). This information is kept confidential and stored separately from the student’s academic records and is used by the Early Assist case manager for the sole purpose of identifying and reaching out to students who may be struggling personally to offer them support and services to increase wellbeing and student success. The use of this information for any other purposes is only if required or authorized by law.
The collection of Early Assist student information and referrals is completed through RRC Polytech’s secure service provider, using servers that are located in Canada.
RRC Polytech’s personal information management practices can be found in Policy G3 – Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy.
Additional Information
RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.