KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — A new partnership has been formed to help students who have experienced a traumatic event connect with resources to help them.
It's a program between the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office and the Kershaw County School District called Handle With Care.
"Your typical responses, as far as what law enforcement would consider important, to get that referral and make sure the school is aware is a domestic violence situation, an EMS response, anything traumatic," said a law enforcement clinician at the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, Christina Miller.
She said the program came about after collecting data for months. She quickly realized there was a need for the program.
"Students, the school is their safe place. We don't like to think about it that way but it's just reality; so, for them to know there is an additional safety net for them really, as it says, handles them with care when they are in the school setting," said Kershaw County School District social worker Angela Thompson. "So, if they are having a bad day, we kinda know we need to be a little more cautious and aware they are having a bad day."
It's a three-step process.
First, law enforcement responds to a call where a school-aged child witnesses a situation considered traumatic.
Then, that information will be provided to the law enforcement clinician before the next school day.
From there, teachers are made aware that a child may need a little extra support after a school social worker checks up on the student.
"Sometimes students don't have the words to say, 'This is what's bothering me, this is what's wrong,' so, if we know what's on the front end, we can help them," Thompson said.
The program is still in the implementation phase.