Handle with Care: Supporting Children After Trauma

The International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) is a professional organization formed in 1981 that focuses on enhancing the quality and effectiveness of law enforcement intelligence analysis.

Handle With Care (HWC) is a multidisciplinary approach designed to support children who have recently experienced traumatic events, also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These events may include exposure to violence, substance misuse, mental illness, abuse, neglect, or other household challenges.

The HWC strategy begins with law enforcement or first responders who encounter a child at the scene of a potentially traumatic incident. They then send a confidential notice to the child’s school with only the child’s name, age, school, and three simple but powerful words: Handle With Care. No other details are shared. This allows school staff to be prepared to provide trauma-informed support, without needing to know the specifics of what occurred.

Schools are uniquely positioned to offer stability and care for children navigating trauma. With timely, coordinated communication from first responders, educators and school counselors can respond with empathy and awareness, minimizing the impact of trauma and helping children build resilience.

This webinar will explore how Handle With Care can be implemented across various systems to create safer and more supportive school environments for vulnerable youth. Ideal for law enforcement, school administrators, mental health providers, and agency partners, the webinar will highlight real-world practices that ensure children exposed to trauma aren’t just seen—but supported.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand how trauma and ACEs impact children’s behavior, learning, and relationships.

• Describe how schools, law enforcement, and mental health providers can coordinate support.

• Explore how to replicate the Handle With Care model in your own community.