Huntington Collaborates on Handle with Care Pilot Program

Huntington UFSD’s participation in a collaborative pilot program dubbed “Handle with Care” kicked off at a press conference at J. Taylor Finley Middle School on Tuesday.

Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin, Suffolk Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon Jr., Huntington UFSD Superintendent Beth McCoy and Huntington School Board President Xavier Palacios were all on hand at the press conference.

The new program is designed to support students when the sheriff’s office responds to their home. “Handle With Care” is modeled after a nationally recognized program that has demonstrated positive outcomes in student well-being, school climate, and community trust.

The Huntington School Board previously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office covering the new program, “which aims to create a more sensitive and supportive environment for children who may have witnessed or experienced traumatic events.”

The new initiative allows law enforcement to notify schools when a child may be impacted by a traumatic incident, without disclosing specific details. This notification will simply indicate the address and a code, enabling educators to be more attuned to the child's needs upon their return to school.

“The Huntington School District is proud to partner with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office in implementing the Handle with Care program,” Mrs. McCoy said. “This important collaboration will further strengthen our ability to support students who may have experienced traumatic events by ensuring staff are informed and able to provide thoughtful attention and care. With the program’s real-time communication, our schools can enhance the strong supports already in place and take an even more proactive approach to promoting student well-being and success.”

According to national data, nearly 60 percent of American children have been exposed to violence, crime, or abuse, and 40 percent have been direct victims of multiple violent incidents. Exposure to trauma can significantly hinder a child’s ability to focus, learn, and behave in school – often resulting in academic struggles, absenteeism or even involvement with the juvenile justice system.

Tuesday’s press conference also included Robert Vecchio, executive director of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association and Hampton Bays Superintendent Lars Clemensen, immediate past-president of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.