Frequently Asked Questions

• What is FACES?
  • FACES or Faculty, Advocacy, Care, Engagement and Support is a supportive program that aims to provide several resources, trainings, and services to all faculty at CSUSM. Services offered include faculty to faculty mentoring, psychoeducational training to assist faculty with student behavioral health concerns, crisis coordination services, and workshops aimed at enhancing the social emotional needs of faculty on campus.
• Are the services offered by FACES available only to Tenure Faculty?
  • FACES provide supportive services to all faculty at CSUSM. This includes faculty with classification of, tenured, tenured track, fulltime lecturer, and part-time lecturer. ALL CSUSM employees with a teaching contract are le to utilize resources offered by FACES.
• How is FACES different from EAP?
  • While FACES has licensed clinical social workers on staff, FACES staff are not a replacement for EAP services. FACES is able to provide linkage to mental/behavioral health resources. FACES staff will not provide therapy services to faculty. CSUSM’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is able to offer therapy sessions to faculty in need of therapeutic interventions.
• How is FACES Different from Behavior Health Services offered through my insurance?
  • FACES provide confidential care coordination and may assist with service linkage, and assistance with navigating the complexities of behavioral health care. Behavior health benefits are provided through CSUSM sponsored insurance plans. These benefits may offer varying levels of mental/behavioral health treatment options. These options may include therapeutic interventions such as: individual, family, or group therapy. Due to the act that benefits varies depending on the plan selected. Faculty should consult their specific plans for individual coverage details.
• How is FACES different from the Ombuds office?
  • The Ombud’s office at CSUSM is a confidential, neutral, and independent entity that assists faculty and students develop options, explore solutions, and understand policy and make referrals where appropriate. FACES is also a confidential resource but while the Ombud’s office is neutral and does not offer suggestions and plans to address concerns. FACES services include departmental coordination and resolutions to internal issues. These services may include team building and departmental policy development and collaboration.