Philadelphia expands Handle With Care to help students who witness violence
The School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Police Department are expanding the Handle With Care program to alert school staff when a student has witnessed gun violence, domestic abuse, or other traumatic events. Police note a child’s name to the district, which then informs school personnel that the student may need additional support. The goal is to connect students with services without sharing details about the incident in public settings.
What changed in the program
The program expansion means more students who have witnessed violence will trigger a notice to schools. Police officers will continue to report that a child was involved or affected, but they will not relay full incident details to schools or the public. School staff then assess what help the student may need, such as counseling or classroom adjustments, and coordinate with families and community services as appropriate.
Who is affected
Elementary and secondary students in Philadelphia could be identified for additional support if a responding officer notes the child witnessed violence or a related traumatic event. The purpose is to recognize stress or trauma that may affect learning, behavior, or well-being. The program is described as a bridge to mental health or supportive services rather than punitive or disciplinary actions.
Practical next steps for families and schools
For families: If you receive a notification from your child’s school that they may need extra support, expect follow-up from school or district staff. This could include talking with a counselor, connecting with community resources, or coordinating school-based supports. For schools: Staff should document concerns, respect privacy, and coordinate with student services to arrange appropriate supports while avoiding public disclosure of sensitive details. For the broader community: Be aware that the program emphasizes early identification and supportive services rather than punishment or criminal actions in schools.
Which sources did Setup in Bahrain review?
Setup in Bahrain reviewed the following source material before preparing this explanatory article.
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- chalkbeat.org — evidence source reviewed for this article.
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