"Handle with Care" Initiative
The Circle of Care, in partnership with the SIU School of Medicine-Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development, is organizing the conversation in communities about the Handle with Care initiative.
Many of you may know that children and teens sometimes experience stressful or traumatic events, whether at home or in the community, such as domestic violence, substance use, or crime. These experiences can weigh heavily on young minds, affecting their emotional and cognitive well-being. Unfortunately, many of these children silently carry this burden, even after returning to school. This stress often manifests as academic, emotional, or behavioral challenges that can significantly impact their ability to learn and thrive. This is where the Handle with Care initiative becomes crucial. It encourages us to recognize the signs of trauma and offer the understanding and support these children need. By being aware of their challenges, we can create a safe, compassionate environment where they can heal and thrive.
The Handle with Care initiative is simple and powerful. When law enforcement encounters a child at the scene of an incident, a confidential notification is sent to the child’s school. This allows school personnel to be prepared to observe and respond to any academic, emotional, or behavioral challenges the child may face.
Training and support are available for communities to help implement this initiative. If you are interested in learning more about how to adopt Handle with Care in your community, please register for one of the discussion sessions below.
Funding for this program is provided in whole or in part through the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Block Grant through the American Rescue Plan Act.