Fairport Harbor's Handle with Care program aims to help children

Jun. 6—The phrase "Handle with Care" has taken on added significance over the past few months for the Fairport Harbor School District and Police and Fire departments.

In February, those three entities implemented a program titled Handle with Care. This initiative is used in Ohio and other states throughout the country to help children who are identified at the scene of traumatic events during which police or fire departments respond.

The Ohio program is supported by a partnership between Hopewell Health Centers, a health care provider based in the southeastern part of the state, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Fire Chief Bob Lloyd spearheaded efforts to bring Handle with Care to Fairport Harbor Village. Lloyd said he learned about it in 2021 from his daughter, Sara Newpher, when she was working as an opiate analyst for the Northeast Ohio Regional Fusion Center.

Lloyd completed an initial training program, in which he was certified to train other professionals on the purpose and use of this endeavor. He then conducted separate Handle with Care training programs for Fairport Harbor police and firefighters; and teachers, counselors and principals from Fairport Harding Middle and High School and McKinley Elementary School.

The program uses a standard approach in which police or firefighters who identify a child at the scene of a traumatic event will notify the youngster's school before his or her next day of classes.

Incidents that could contribute to adverse childhood experiences could range from a house fire to a person in a household being arrested, Lloyd said.

"If an adverse childhood experience occurs, a police officer or firefighter sends a note via email to a dedicated inbox at the school," he said. "There are a select number of people at the school that have access to this email — the principal, the counselor and one other designated person."

In addition, Lloyd and village Police Chief David Koran receive copies of all Handle with Care emails, but only for the purpose of data collection.

Lloyd said these emails — referred to as advisories — will say something like: "(Child's name) had an encounter with Fairport Harbor Police or Fire Department (yesterday or today). Handle with care."

All of the child's teachers will be alerted to handle the student with care. But the affected children doesn't know about the advisory, and neither do teachers who don't interact with the child.

In addition, Lloyd said no details will be shared about the incident that brought the child into contact with the first responders.

"What I'm afraid of is parents might think we're prying and telling people their business — but we're not," Lloyd said. "We're just giving the school a heads-up that a student was involved in a potentially stressful event, so teachers can understand what may be contributing to a change in behavior, attitude or mood."

Once teachers receive an advisory, they can help the youngster by taking steps such as reteaching lessons or postponing tests, the Ohio Handle with Care website stated. In addition, if the student is having trouble staying awake or focusing, teachers could send the child to the school nurse's office to rest.

Lloyd said that nine advisories for Fairport Harbor Schools students have been issued between the program's launch in February and June 5. The district's last day of classes is June 7.

The chief said he believes that Handle with Care is a great addition to Fairport Harbor.

"If a child has had an adverse childhood experience, Handle with Care helps lessen the impact on them, we hope — it's a goal," he said.

McKinley Elementary Principal Heidi Elmore also described it as "an amazing program, which allowed for collaboration among the school, and police and fire departments.

"We hope to continue this program through the coming school years," Elmore said. "This helps the students and teachers, and gives our school staff a way to better support our community."

Lloyd said alerts will continue to be issued to McKinley and Harding schools by police and firefighters throughout the summer. An Ohio Handle with Care flier noted that notices provide valuable information about a student's experiences outside of school.

"The impact of an adverse childhood experience may last hours, days, weeks, months or a lifetime," the flier stated. "HWC notices allow school staff to observe for needs when the student returns to school."

Lloyd said the program is going to remain a normal part of operations.

"If something (that could cause an adverse childhood experience) goes on and there's a kid present, we send the advisory," he said. " That's just going to be a way of life here and that's what we want."

Steps taken in Fairport Harbor to start and carry out the Handle with Care program also have attracted attention throughout Lake County. In fact, the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board is aiming to roll out the program countywide.

The Lake ADAMHS Board announced that first meeting for potential Handle with Care partners is 10 a.m. June 29. Schools and first-responder agencies that are interested in learning more should RSVP to Sandra Tenkku at stenkku@lakeadamhs.org.