When children encounter police because they were a witness to violence or a traumatic event, they can sometimes show up to school the next few days feeling upset, setting off a cycle of poor school performance or acting out, whether in school in person or virtually. Unless a teacher knows the student experienced recent trauma, the child could end up in trouble instead of receiving support. The District Attorney's Office, the San Diego County Office of Education, local law enforcement, and local school districts are addressing this issue through an app called Handle with Care, which was developed just before the pandemic shuttered schools.
Under the new program, when police come into contact with a child during a traumatic event such as domestic violence in the home, a neighborhood shooting, arrest of a family member, or violent crime, police use the app to alert the child's school and school district that the child should be handled with care. No other details about the incident are given to the school.
"Children who experience trauma in the home often don't complete homework, do poorly on tests, and are withdrawn," District Attorney Summer Stephan said. "This pilot program is a simple way we can alert teachers and school administrators and provide important context so they can monitor the child's behavior and provide support if necessary."
To read more of the San Diego County Office of Education post, please visit; Children Exposed to Trauma to be "Handled with Care" by School Personnel (sdcoe.net)
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