Handle With Care Initiative

Reinforcing its commitment to protecting and supporting children, the Fort Worth Police Department's Handle With Care initiative ensures that when children are present during potentially traumatic incidents (i.e. domestic violence, assault, aggravated assault, or shooting calls), school officials are discreetly notified. Officers will gather valuable information such as the child’s name, age, and the school they attend; however, details of the call are not provided to school officials. These notifications are delivered to ESC Region 11, a service organization and intermediary educational agency, which then filters the information to teachers and staff. This heads-up notification allows adults to provide extra attention and support to the student exposed to trauma.

Students, at times, may exhibit a change in behavior due to untreated trauma. By empowering teachers and staff with the necessary notifications, they can utilize available resources to help the child cope. This program allows teachers and school resource officers to observe children through a trauma-informed lens instead of a punitive lens.

The department initially launched the pilot program in two divisions in February 2022. After gathering data from a six-month period that proved the program’s success, it expanded citywide for the 2023-2024 school year. This is a year-round program, meaning officers shall make notifications on every call where children are present to potentially traumatic experiences.

“Hurt people, hurt people. The experiences children are exposed to at home can carry over to the classroom,” said Fort Worth Police Commander Antione Williams. “This program helps break the cycle of recidivism. Children’s emotional well-being is reinforced, creating a harmonious learning environment where students can thrive.”

The Handle with Care program reflects a growing recognition that law enforcement plays a critical role in helping children cope with trauma, reducing the risk of long-term negative impacts on their health, behavior, and education.

For more information about this initiative, please contact the Fort Worth Police Department’s Public Relations Unit at policemedia@fortworthtexas.gov.