The first step to bringing Handle With Care to your county is to have a 90 minute community interest meeting. The Handle With Care Statewide Coordinator can assist you with putting the stakeholder list together and providing a sample letter of invite. Participants may include:
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- The Sheriff or designee
- A representative from all the municipalities
- Prosecuting Attorney
- A representative from probation
- Dispatch (911)
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
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 CONSIDER
- Circuit Court Judges, Family Court Judges and Magistrates
- Emergency Management Services (EMS)
- Family Resource Network
- Local community-based organizations
- Coroner’s Office
- News organizations