Helena Schools Partners with HPD for Handle with Care Program

Published on April 28, 2023

Student with a backpack standing in front of Central School.

HELENA, Mont. – Helena Public Schools and the Helena Police Department have reached an agreement to expand their partnership and further support students. The agreement implements a “Handle with Care” program, which establishes a confidential process for notifying school personnel when a student has experienced trauma and is in need of extra support.

“Knowing that a student has experienced a traumatic event outside of school will help us meet that child where they are emotionally when they return to the classroom,” said Helena Public Schools Superintendent Rex Weltz. “While we won’t know specific details of the event, we will be prepared to give the student the support they need to continue learning and succeeding at school.”

The Handle with Care program establishes a protocol for police officers to notify designated school staff if they respond to a traumatic incident that involves a school-aged child. The notification includes the student’s name with the instruction – Handle With Care. It does not detail the traumatic event. School staff will provide the notification to teachers, school counselors, and other relevant support staff to help keep a caring eye on the student and provide appropriate trauma-sensitive interventions, if necessary.

“Handle with Care has proven to be a value program in communities around the country,” adds Helena Police Chief, Brett Petty. “I believe it will help bridge a gap between the Department and our schools to ensure kids are supported to the best of our ability.”

Situations that may warrant a Handle with Care alert include, but are not limited to:

Domestic violence in the presence of the student.
Death of a member of the family or household of the student.
Arrest of a parent or guardian of the child, in the presence of the student.
Child abuse or neglect.

The Handle with Care approach helps schools be proactive in supporting students, rather than reacting to behavioral issues that arise from trauma. The goal of the program is to help provide a safe environment for students, while allowing them an opportunity to continue learning.