Handle with Care program targets children exposed to adverse events in the Youngstown, Ohio area

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A program that can provide crucial support to children was introduced Monday in the Mahoning Valley.

Handle with Care is a collaborative effort to ensure that children who are exposed to adverse events get the support and intervention they need in schools. The program aims to increase resiliency for students by engaging them in relationships with school staff, as well as with first responders.

Those people were invited to a partner meeting Monday to help them be a champion of the message and see how they can be involved.

“It’s super important. We are a resource-rich county and community, but there are adverse experiences happening to our children all over, and this is a great way to be proactive and respond appropriately to their needs. And Handle With Care is all throughout Ohio. It’s a national program,” said Ashley Mariana, ESCO prevention coordinator.

Handle With Care is supported by Hopewell Centers and by the Ohio Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program.