By Eric Swanson | Staff Writer Sep 13, 2019
The Ada Board of Education moved forward Monday with plans for a program to help students who have experienced trauma at home.
Voting 4-0, the school board approved an agreement with the Ada Police Department concerning the new Handle With Care program. Board member Doug Haney was absent.
Handle With Care is designed to support children who have been identified at the scene of a traumatic event, such as a fire or an incident of domestic violence, according to information provided by the school district. Police are trained to identify any children at the scene and contact Central Dispatch.
The dispatcher then sends an email containing the child’s name and the phrase “Handle With Care,” but no other details, to the district’s designated contact person. Once district officials have read the email, they will relay the same message to the principal and counselor at the child’s school.
“That’s the only message they’ll get,” said Superintendent Mike Anderson. “They’ll just know that Mike Anderson experienced some trauma and it’s time to give him some room. An extra hug.