“Handle With Care” to help traumatized children

(TULSA, Okla.) The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office became the first law enforcement agency in Northeast Oklahoma to begin a program aimed at helping potentially traumatized children, called “Handle With Care”, on Thursday. It’s made possible through a partnership with the Berryhill School District. Now when a Deputy responds to a call in the Berryhill area where children are present who may be affected by what has occurred, the Deputy will send a “Handle With Care” email notification to the school district. The district will then notify the child’s teacher. A “Handle With Care” notification will allow the teacher to be aware that child may need some additional patience, understanding and potentially even counseling services to cope with what has occurred. Our community partners at Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma stand ready to provide these services. In order to protect the privacy of the child and his or her family, NO DETAILS OF THE CHILD’S EXPERIENCE ARE RELAYED TO THE DISTRICT through the “Handle with Care” notification.

Healthy Minds Policy Initiative has been an integral partner in connecting, informing and assisting in implementing the “Handle With Care” program. TCSO’s goal is to see this program expand to other Tulsa County schools, so more children can be helped.