SENECA COUNTY, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Seneca County Schools, in partnership with local first responders, have relaunched the Handle With Care (HWC) program, a growing statewide and national initiative designed to provide trauma-sensitive support to students.
The program is a cross-systems, trauma-informed response to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that promotes resilience through positive relationships between students, school staff, and first responders. The relaunch, with training and supplies covered by a safety grant, standardizes and formalizes practices that prioritize student well-being.
The core of HWC involves police and other first responders being trained to identify children at the scene of a traumatic event and send a confidential message to the child’s school simply stating: “Handle this student with care.” No details of the incident are shared, protecting the family’s privacy.
School employees, who have been trained on the impact of trauma on learning, use this notification to implement appropriate interventions for the student, which may include postponing testing, sending the student to rest, re-teaching lessons, or making referrals for counseling.
“Handle with Care” also focuses on building positive relationships. First responders conduct frequent, positive school visits—attending lunch, class parties, and assemblies—to promote trust and positive perceptions of community officers.
Ohio HWC is directed by Hopewell Health Centers and supported by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, collaborating with communities across the state to implement the program with fidelity. HWC aims to promote safe and supportive environments that protect children and help traumatized students heal and thrive.