Preventing School Violence: Expanding Handle With Care in Metro Nashville

This project will be implemented in Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and will implement an updated Handle with Care (HWC) 2.1 program in 30 MNPS elementary schools to identify students at risk for trauma and to mobilize adults at school and community levels to engage in evidence-based trauma-sensitive care. It will fund an HWC 2.1 MNPS site/data coordinator dedicated to building collaboration across community partners (first responders, law enforcement officers, and youth- and family-serving organizations), district administration, and school teams to share data and solutions to combat the effects of school violence and trauma. It will provide training school staff and community partners on how to report HWC 2.1 incidents, respond with evidence-based trauma-sensitive practices, and make referrals to mental health supports (as warranted). It will instruct coaching school staff and community partners to use data and sustain continuous improvement processes. Project activities also include incorporating the input of the MNPS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department and their Equity Roadmap committee, who represent historically underserved and marginalized populations in the community, into the HWC 2.1 implementation processes, program enhancements, and dissemination activities. Subrecipient (MNPS-led) activities include hiring the HWC 2.1 MNPS site/data coordinator; training, coaching, and supervision activities leading to the coordinator’s role sustainability; developing internal trauma-sensitivity training and coaching on the content and structures to grow and sustain district and school staff professional development in elementary and secondary levels; and continued support of collaborations with local agencies and Equity Roadmap committee members for culturally responsive enhancements and continuous improvement of the HWC 2.1 program throughout the district.