Gahanna's first responders team up with local schools on a new initiative aimed at supporting students who've been exposed to trauma. The Gahanna Division of Police, Mifflin Township Fire Department, and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools have implemented a program called Handle With Care, as detailed in a recent announcement on the City of Gahanna's official website. The program's intention is straightforward – it allows police and fire personnel to confidentially notify school officials if a student has witnessed or experienced a traumatic event, equipping educators with a simple heads-up to be extra supportive.
It's a partnership forged from necessity and compassion. The Handle With Care alerts are discreet, providing only the student's name and age and skipping the sensitive incident details. This enables teachers and support staff to quietly adjust their interactions and be particularly gentle with potentially traumatized children. Gahanna School Resource Officer Crystal Jones, who led the initiative in the city, shared her enthusiasm for the program's launch by stating, "With everything our young people are navigating today, it is more important than ever to have a support system in place," in a statement obtained by the City of Gahanna's official news platform.
Understanding trauma and reacting appropriately are skills that have been imparted to the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools' team. Specially trained in trauma-informed practices, these educators have been equipped to recognize signs of distress, modify their approach to teaching as necessary, and provide the essential accompaniment a young person might need during such times. Chief Jeff Spence of the Gahanna Police noted the value of this program in creating pathways that respect privacy while ensuring necessary student support, in remarks shared on the city's website.
Adding to the conversation, Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tracey Deagle underscored the importance of embracing the whole child in education by saying, "Supporting the whole child means creating a school culture where students feel safe, seen, and supported every day," according to the City of Gahanna, signaling a commitment that seems to be the foundation of this collaborative effort and indeed, all first responders with the Gahanna Division of Police and the Mifflin Township Fire Department have been trained in Handle With Care, recognizing the program as an exemplary model for cooperation.
