Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention Hosts Handle With Care Training to Support Children After Trauma

300 Attendees Begin Statewide Program Expansion

ANNAPOLIS, MD – More than 300 law enforcement personnel, school administrators, staff, and mental health practitioners from across the state gathered yesterday for Handle with Care training, funded by the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention. This initiative seeks to mitigate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by providing trauma-informed services inside Maryland schools that help prevent future victimization and/or delinquency. Already underway in Washington County, Handle with Care trainings are slated for statewide implementation. 

“No child should have to undergo trauma of any kind, but when they do, we must do everything we can to support their recovery process,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “We are grateful for programs like Handle with Care, which help to mitigate the negative impacts of traumatic experiences on our children and allow them to achieve a better educational experience and quality of life.”

Handle with Care training provides an interactive opportunity for participants to learn how to support children who are exposed to violence in their home, school, or community. During this training, participants learn best practices that can not only reduce the impact of traumatic experiences on children, but can help them to better succeed in school.

Trainings were led by Andrea Darr, Director of the West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice; Chad Napier, Prevention Coordinator for Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA); Sheriff Douglass W. Mullendore, Washington County Sheriff’s Office; and Robin Handler, School Counseling Supervisor, Washington County Public School System.

“Regardless of the source of trauma, exposure to violence can undermine a child’s ability to learn, form relationships, and function appropriately in the classroom,” said Glenn Fueston, Executive Director for the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention. “Through programs such as Handle with Care, we can more effectively address adverse childhood experiences while protecting the course of their education, because every child deserves a safer Maryland.”

For additional information on West Virginia’s Handle with Care program, click here.

More than 300 law enforcement, school administrators and staff,
and mental health practitioners gathered during Handle with Care
training session in Crownsville, Maryland.