The School District of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) announced the official kick-off of Handle With Care, a collaboration between the SDP and PPD that will pilot this school year. Handle With Care supports students who experience trauma outside of school. Through Handle With Care, if a law enforcement officer encounters a child during an incident of violence or trauma, PPD will alert the District to handle that child with care before the next school day begins. No other details about the incident will be shared. Through the trauma-focused training, staff will have extra resources available at the school, as well as a better understanding of associated student behaviors – including missed assignments, acting out or change in demeanor.

“Every day, our officers see firsthand how traumatic events outside of school can affect our young people,” said Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel. “Handle With Care is about more than policing—it’s about giving students something that they can see, touch, and feel while ensuring that no child carries the weight of trauma into the classroom alone. By working closely with the School District, we can give students the support they need to heal, to learn, and to thrive. I am proud of the men and women of the Philadelphia Police Department who are embracing this work, and I am grateful for the strong leadership of Mayor Parker and Superintendent Watlington as we come together to protect and uplift our city’s children.”

Over the past year, thanks to a $1 million grant issued by the Bureau of Justice Assistance through the Office of Justice Programs, 300 law enforcement and 100 school personnel participated in comprehensive training. Officers within the 22nd District and all key school staff members were trained on evidence-based practices surrounding trauma to improve knowledge and awareness of student exposure to trauma and violence and trained law enforcement to identify, document and report children who are at a scene, how to respond on-scene to help minimize the impact of trauma.

“We know that what happens outside of school can profoundly impact a child’s ability to learn and thrive. By working with the Philadelphia Police Department, we are building a critical bridge that ensures students who have experienced trauma are met with care, understanding, and immediate support the moment they walk through our doors,” said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. “This initiative isn’t just about responding to incidents; it’s about proactively protecting the well-being of our students and fostering a culture of empathy in our school communities. Every child deserves to feel safe and supported, and Handle With Care is a vital step toward making that a reality.”

This program follows a national model that will support 15 participating schools located within the 22nd Philadelphia Police District, which was selected because it is among the highest in crime rates and poverty level within the City of Philadelphia. The 15 participating schools are:

• Dr. Ethel Allen School
• James G. Blaine School
• George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science
• William Dick School
• Murrell Dobbins Career & Technical High School
• Tanner G. Duckrey School
• Paul L. Dunbar School
• Edward Gideon School
• William D. Kelley School
• General George G. Meade School
• Philadelphia Military Academy
• Robert Morris School
• Strawberry Mansion High School
• Richard R. Wright School
• Vaux High School: A Big Picture

The goal of the program is to mitigate the negative effects associated with trauma exposure among public school students. Through this trauma-informed training, the school will be aware of the potential trauma and be able to understand how to respond to the student’s behavior throughout the day and provide appropriate support and interventions. This new program does not replace the District’s standard district-wide Crisis Response Protocol; however it expands the District’s ability to identify and provide support for students.

When students and families are victims of tragic and sometimes fatal incidents, the Office of Prevention and Intervention assists with the assessment, response, and recovery process using a trauma-informed approach. Prevention & Intervention Liaisons support school leadership, staff, counselors, students and families in the aftermath of the incident. They also assist with connecting schools and individuals to resources and determining what additional support or training may be beneficial in the future.

Learn more about the Handle With Care Program.