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Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention Joins Frederick County Officials to Expand Handle with Care Initiative

January 22, 2019

Third Maryland County to Introduce Handle With Care

FREDERICK, MD – The Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) today joined Frederick County officials to announce the expansion of the Handle with Care program in Frederick, Maryland. Handle with Care is a child-focused program that originated in West Virginia in 2014, largely due to the opioid epidemic and the need to connect children with community-based resources. Governor Larry Hogan has directed GOCCP to help implement the Handle with Care model across the state. Thus far, nine Maryland counties are implementing Handle With Care and seven are in the planning process.

“The Handle With Care model increases opportunities for trauma-informed approaches, addresses Adverse Childhood Experiences, and helps prevent future re-traumatization and/or victimization,” said Jessica Wheeler, Chief of Juvenile Justice and Prevention Services for the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention. “Frederick County has been clear with their vision for the program from the beginning and we are pleased that they have the full participation of law enforcement agencies and first responders – a key ingredient for the program.”

Through GOCCP, the Governor has committed approximately $22 million in grants to address Adverse Childhood Experiences and for trauma-informed services since July 2017 and is also making funding and staff available to support the expansion of this program statewide. Frederick County is unique because they employ an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Liaison, which directly aligns with the goals and mission of the Handle with Care Program.

Frederick County Executive, Jan Gardner opened with remarks, followed by the GOCCP Chief of Juvenile Justice and Prevention Services, Jessica Wheeler, first responder Deputy Chief Tom Coe, Frederick County Fire & Rescue Services, and Frederick County Public Schools Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Michael Markoe. Also in attendance was Pilar Olivio, with the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County, who spearheaded the Handle with Care Program in Frederick County and serves as the ongoing ACE Liaison between schools and law enforcement.

As part of the Handle With Care model, when a law enforcement officer encounters a child during a call:

    • The child’s name and three words, HANDLE WITH CARE, are forwarded to the school before the start of the next school day.
    • No specific details of the incident are shared with the schools.

The school then:

    • Implements individual, class, and school-wide trauma-sensitive curricula so that traumatized children are Handled With Care.
    • The school also provides on-site trauma-focused mental healthcare for children needing further intervention.

Additional information about the Handle with Care program can be found on the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention’s website: https://handlewithcaremd.org/.

Contact:
Heather Epkins
heather.epkins@maryland.gov
443-422-0037