Handle With Care is a trauma-informed approach that helps schools respond with compassion when a child has experienced a difficult or overwhelming event. When children are exposed to trauma, the impact can reach into the classroom, affecting focus, behavior, learning, and emotional well-being.

This program ensures that, even in moments of crisis, children are met not with punishment or misunderstanding, but with patience, empathy, and care.

Handle With Care is a shared commitment across our community, connecting law enforcement, schools, and Advocates for Children in one clear purpose: to protect children, support healing, and create space for hope.

How Handle With Care works

The process is simple, respectful, and centered on the child:

Step 1.

Law enforcement responds to a situation and identifies that a child was present.

Step 2.

A confidential notification, only the child’s name and the words “Handle With Care” is sent to the child’s school before the next day. No details of the incident are shared.

Step 3.

School staff respond with understanding, flexibility, and support so the child can move through the day feeling safe rather than alone.

ADVOCACY + JUSTICE PROGRAMS