How to Get Started with HWC in My Locality

The first step to bringing Handle With Care to your county is to have a community stakeholder meeting. The Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety can assist you with putting the stakeholder list together and providing a sample letter of invite. Participants can include:

SCHOOLS

• The County School Superintendent or designee
• The principal or vice-principal from every school in your county
• The nurse, counselor or attendance director from every school in your county

LAW ENFORCEMENT

• A representative from the State Police
• The Sheriff or designee
• A representative from all the municipalities
• Prosecuting Attorney
• A representative from probation
• Dispatch (911)

MENTAL HEALTH

• Representatives from the local mental health provider

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES

• The CPS supervisor and/or CSM

CHILD CARE SERVICES

• Head Start
• Before and After School Programs
• Child Care Agencies (administrators, program directors)

OTHERS TO INCLUDE

• Circuit Court Judges, Family Court Judges and Magistrates
• Emergency Management Services (EMS)
• Family Resource Network
• Local civic organizations such as Lions and Kiwanis Clubs
• News organizations