The first step to bringing Handle With Care to your town is to have a community stakeholder meeting. The Drug-Endangered Children’s Initiative can assist you with putting the stakeholder list together and providing a sample invitation letter. Participants will include:
SCHOOLS
- The school department’s Superintendent or designee
- The principal or vice-principal from every school in your town
- A nurse or adjustment counselor from every school in your town
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- The Police Chief or designee
- A representative from the District Attorney’s office
MENTAL HEALTH
- Representatives from a local mental health provider
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
- A representative from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF)
CHILDCARE SERVICES
- A representative from Head Start
- Representatives from before and after school programs
- Childcare agencies, preschools, day cares (administrators, program directors)
OTHERS TO INCLUDE
- District Court Judges, Family Court Judges and Magistrates
- Emergency Management Services (EMS)
- Family Resource Center
- Local civic organizations such as Lions and Kiwanis Clubs
- News organizations
