Handle With Care in Northwest Washington
The Handle with Care program is a collaboration between law enforcement and schools, designed to support children who have been exposed to traumatic events—especially domestic violence, arrests, overdoses, or other adverse situations that police respond to.
Here’s how it works:
- Police Notification: When police officers respond to a situation where a child is present or affected by trauma, they don’t provide details, but they alert the NWESD School Safety and Wellness Center (SSWC) with a daily report: “Handle with Care.” Reports include only the student’s name and date of birth. No details of the traumatic event are shared.
- The SSWC will forward the messages to the appropriate school districts where the reported students are enrolled.
- School Response: Once the school receives that message, teachers, counselors, and administrators are made aware that the child may be dealing with emotional or psychological stress. Without probing the child or discussing the incident, they make adjustments—like allowing more time for assignments, excusing them from certain tasks, or offering extra emotional support.
- Support Services: If needed, schools may also connect the child with mental health resources or counseling, depending on the severity or recurrence of trauma. School staff shall follow their standard protocol for providing referrals for students in need.
The goal:
To create a trauma-informed support system where children feel safe, seen, and understood, without having to recount or relive the traumatic experience. It helps prevent further emotional distress and supports their academic and social development.
Background and Prevalence
Handle With Care originated in West Virginia in 2012, and has since been adopted in over 500 school districts across 30 states in the USA.
An increasing number of regions throughout Washington State utilize the program, including:
Counties:
- Clallam
- Clark
- Jefferson
- Kitsap
- Mason
- Spokane
- Yakima
NWESD 189 Region
Skagit County has officially begun utilizing this program as of Spring 2025. Logistics and implementation will be addressed with Island, San Juan Island, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties shortly.