Exposure to violence and trauma is a significant issue affecting children across America. A national survey highlighted that a staggering 60% of children in the US have experienced violence, crime, or abuse, with 40% being direct victims of multiple violent acts. These experiences can profoundly impact a child’s ability to learn, behave, and focus in school, often leading to negative outcomes like academic struggles and involvement in the juvenile justice system. In response to this critical need, innovative programs have emerged to support these vulnerable children. One such program, known as “Handle With Care,” has gained recognition for its unique approach to bridging the gap between traumatic events and a child’s school environment. So, When Did The Handle With Care Program Start? The initiative was piloted in 2013 at Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary School in Charleston, West Virginia, marking the beginning of a program that would aim to create safer and more supportive environments for children exposed to trauma.
The Genesis of Handle With Care: A Pilot Program in West Virginia
The Handle With Care initiative was born out of a collaborative effort to address the specific challenges faced by children in West Virginia. This initiative, officially known as the West Virginia Defending Childhood Initiative, built upon successful models from across the nation, tailoring its approach to the unique needs of the state. The primary goal was multi-faceted: to prevent childhood exposure to violence and trauma, to lessen the adverse effects when exposure does occur, and to raise overall awareness about the widespread impact of childhood trauma.
The selection of Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary School as the pilot site in 2013 was strategic. Located in an urban Charleston neighborhood grappling with high rates of drug-related crimes and violence, the school served a particularly vulnerable population. A significant 93% of its approximately 500 students came from low-income families. Adding to these challenges, the school’s academic performance was among the lowest in the state. The Handle With Care pilot program was launched in conjunction with a Drug Market Intervention by the United States Attorney’s Office in the same area, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to community well-being. This dual approach recognized that addressing environmental factors alongside direct support for children would be crucial for meaningful change.
How Handle With Care Works: A Collaborative Approach
The core of the Handle With Care program lies in fostering strong partnerships between law enforcement, schools (including childcare agencies), and mental health providers. The program operates on a simple yet powerful communication system. When law enforcement officers encounter a child at the scene of a potentially traumatic event – be it a domestic violence incident, a drug raid, a neighborhood shooting, or any situation that could be distressing – they are trained to identify these children. Crucially, officers then discreetly notify the child’s school or daycare. This notification is remarkably simple and confidential, typically conveyed via email or fax with the message: “Handle [Child’s Name] with care.” No sensitive details about the event are shared, protecting the child’s privacy while ensuring the school is alerted to a potential need for support.
Beyond these notifications, law enforcement involvement extends to building positive relationships with students. Officers regularly visit schools, interacting with children in classrooms and during lunch breaks. These interactions are designed to foster trust and positive perceptions of law enforcement, creating a supportive community presence within the school environment.
Schools, in turn, play a vital role in the Handle With Care program. Educators are trained to understand the profound impact trauma can have on a child’s learning and behavior. Equipped with this knowledge, teachers and school staff implement various interventions to support identified students. These interventions can range from allowing a student to rest in the clinic when they are struggling to focus, to re-teaching lessons, postponing tests, and providing small group counseling sessions led by school counselors. In cases where more intensive support is needed, referrals to external counseling, social services, or advocacy programs are made.
Furthermore, Handle With Care promotes the creation of trauma-sensitive school environments. Schools implement school-wide initiatives like establishing “greeters” to create a welcoming atmosphere, pairing students with adult mentors, utilizing therapy dogs, and using simple check-in systems like “thumbs up/thumbs down” to gauge students’ emotional well-being.
For students who exhibit ongoing behavioral or emotional difficulties, Handle With Care facilitates access to trauma-focused therapy. School counselors or principals can refer parents to partnering counseling agencies. In the pilot program at Mary C. Snow, counseling services were conveniently provided on-site within the school building, in space provided by the Family Care Health Center. This on-site access removes barriers to mental health care for families. Counseling services are scheduled to minimize disruption to the student’s school day and counselors actively participate in school meetings, providing assessments, treatment recommendations, and progress updates to school personnel, always with parental consent.
The Impact and Vision of Handle With Care
The Handle With Care program, initiated in 2013, represents a significant step towards creating communities that are more responsive to the needs of children exposed to trauma. By fostering communication and collaboration between key community stakeholders, Handle With Care aims to ensure that children receive the support they need to overcome the challenges associated with traumatic experiences and thrive both academically and personally. The program’s ultimate goal is to help students succeed in school, recognizing that a trauma-sensitive approach is essential for creating an equitable and supportive learning environment for all children.
Acknowledgements: The development of the Handle With Care program benefited from the guidance and technical assistance of organizations like the Massachusetts Advocates for Children: Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative, in collaboration with Harvard Law School and the Task Force on Children Affected by Domestic Violence. The program also acknowledges the contributions of experts like Joe Ristuccia, Ed.M., co-author of Helping Traumatized Children Learn, Edward Jacoubs, and community activist Leon White.
