Handle With Care
The Handle with Care program is part of the Drug Endangered Children (DEC) initiative mandated under Senate Bill 80 and is designed to support students who have been exposed to traumatic events. Through this initiative, law enforcement alerts designated school personnel when a child has encountered trauma during a first responder call, allowing schools to be aware that the student may need additional support. The purpose of this notification is not to share details about the incident, but simply to ensure that school staff can keep a “caring eye” on the student throughout the school day. The only information provided to the school is the student’s name, date of birth, and attending school. Teachers receive the information using trauma‑sensitive language, along with general suggestions for supporting the student in the classroom. This awareness helps school personnel remain attentive and responsive to the student’s needs, making Handle with Care a valuable tool for supporting students during times of crisis.