Notification of Handle with Care. Attorney General Directive 2020-9, the “Statewide Handle With Care (HWC) Directive,” took effect December 31, 2020. The HWC Directive’s goal is to promote communication and partnerships between law enforcement and schools to help provide a safe and supportive academic environment for children who were recently exposed to an adverse childhood experience (ACE) or other traumatic event. The Directive identifies traumatic events as broadly to include, but not limited to, the following incidents where a child is a victim or witness: • a house fire or forced displacement from the residence. • community violence (i.e., fights among gangs or other groups, bullying, shootings). • the sudden death of an immediate family member or guardian of the child, which the police are made aware. • A suicide or attempted suicide of an individual who resides in the child’s home where the child is present. • A drug or alcohol overdose of an individual who resides in the child’s home where the child is present. • An incident of domestic violence or abuse (physical or sexual). • Involvement with the Department of Child Protection & Permanency. • A search warrant executed at the residence. • The arrest of an individual who resides in the home. Pursuant to the HWC Directive, law enforcement official must promptly complete a HWC Notice after responding to an incident where the child witnesses or is the victim of a traumatic event. A HWC Notice must be completed for each child that is present, regardless of the age of the child and whether the child attends a public or private school. To protect the privacy of affected children and families, the HWC Notice shall only include the following information: the child’s name, age, grade, school of enrollment, and date and time of the incident. The HWC Notice shall be sent immediately to the appropriate point of contact at the child’s school of enrollment (prior to the next school day or prior to the child arriving at school, whichever is sooner). A point of contact identified by the school district or head of the school shall serve as a point of contact (i.e. a School Safety Specialist or other school employee). This individual will be responsible for receiving all HWC Notices for children enrolled in that school(s) and for disseminating the HWC Notices to the appropriate school staff. School officials agree to receive the HWC notice and assess whether the school should take any actions (i.e., postponing assignments, providing breaks, refer...
