Students who have gone through a traumatic event outside of school are now going to get some extra support once they are back in the classroom.
The Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, Rockbridge County Public Schools and Rockbridge County Fire and Rescue have launched the Handle With Care project, which allows first responders to notify school officials if a child has gone through a crisis situation so they can be “handled with care” at school.
According to the press release posted on the sheriff’s office Facebook page last week, the notification will not include any details about the incident. “Instead, it serves as a discreet alert to educators and school staff that the student may be dealing with emotional stress, anxiety, grief, or other challenges related to a traumatic experience. School personnel can then provide additional support, understanding, and flexibility to help the child succeed during the school day.”
Research shows that exposure to trauma can significantly affect a child’s ability to learn, focus, and engage in the classroom, according to the press release.
“Every day, our deputies respond to situations that can have a lasting impact on children, even when they may not be directly involved,” Sheriff Tony McFaddin said. “This program is about helping children overcome adversity and giving them the best opportunity to succeed.”
Rockbridge County Fire and Rescue Chief Nathan Ramsey said that while the fire department’s first job is to respond to emergencies, the new program will help kids with the long-term effects of a traumatic event.
“Our firefighters and EMS personnel often encounter children on what may be the worst day of their young lives. While our primary mission is to respond to emergencies, we also recognize the lasting impact those events can have on children and families,” Ramsey said.
Rockbridge County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Phillip Thompson added, “We are grateful for the partnership between our schools and local public safety agencies. Handle With Care strengthens our ability to recognize and respond to the needs of students who may be experiencing trauma and ensures that they receive compassionate support in the classroom.”
