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Perrysburg program supports students in aftermath of trauma

The Handle with Care program allows first responders to notify a school if one of its students has potentially been in a traumatic experience.

PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Perrysburg Local Schools is tackling childhood trauma with the new Handle with Care program.

Covered by a safety grant, Perrysburg is the first district in Wood County to get it up and running.

The program allows first responders to notify a school if one of its students has potentially been in a traumatic experience.

Christina Harper, the assistant director for student services and well-being with Perrysburg schools, said the program is "another layer of 'let's help our kids truly reach their greatest potential.'"

Harper said Handle with Care is especially important as trauma related to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact students.

According to the National Institute for Children's Health Quality, 34.8 million children are exposed to an adverse childhood experience that can severely harm their future and their well-being.

"Research tells us that our kids and anyone who deals with a traumatic event, the more support they have the better off they are going to be in the long run," Harper said.

In order to implement the program in the school district, school staff and area first responders received training on the program.

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