MADISON – Madison school leaders met with area first responders, Madison Mayor Ranae Bartlett, National Children’s Advocacy Center, along with Enrichment Center reps, and other area leaders last week to strengthen relationships and share respective roles as the new school year is about to begin.
The centerpiece at the brief orientation was an overview of the Handle With Care initiative pioneered by Madison City Schools in 2023.
Handle With Care is a program in tandem with the National Children’s Advocacy Center that allows first responders and schools to provide trauma sensitive support and care for children who may have experienced it. It works by having 1st responders (fire, police, ambulance etc) notify the school system that of an emergency response related to a child’s home or family such as a house fire, arrest, car accidents etc…