Heights Launches Handle with Care Program
Council on Alcohol & Other Drugs Hopes to Take the Pilot Program Countywide
The Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs has partnered with the Hamilton Heights School Corporation to launch the “Handle with Care” program. Heights is the first school district in Hamilton County to adopt the program which is designed to support students who have experienced traumatic events at home.
“We can’t always know what happens to our students when they leave our building at night,” says Mary Ann Haymaker, Early Intervention Advocate for the Hamilton Heights Youth Assistance Program. “When something traumatic happens at home, it’s only natural for the child to bring that to school with them the next day. We want to give them the grace they need to cope with life’s challenges.”
The Handle with Care program enables police officers to alert schools about a traumatic event involving a student—such as domestic violence or a parent being arrested —by scanning a QR code. The alert provides the student’s name and grade while maintaining confidentiality regarding the incident. The goal is to empower teachers and staff to provide necessary support without delving into the details of the trauma, allowing for a more compassionate and understanding school environment.
Superintendent Dr. Derek Arrowood says the school district has activated the program five times this school year. “Our job, first and foremost, is to love on our kids. If that means they don’t have to turn in homework or take a test that day, so be it. We want to be sure they have the space to work through the challenges outside of school. We can figure out the rest later.”
Monica Greer, Executive Director of the Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, has been a strong advocate for this program since learning about it at a conference several years ago. “I am eager to see this initiative implemented in Hamilton County schools and hope other districts will follow Hamilton Heights’ lead. It’s been incredibly beneficial for the students who need it.”