Handle With Care Ohio

25/09/2025

Check out this Spectrum News story featuring Gahanna HWC Coordinator, Officer Crystal Jones, of Gahanna Division of Police! Gahanna HWC launched in August - setting the OhioHWC record for fastest implementation - from their Partners Meeting on July 1 to launch on August 29th. Gahanna is the 14th largest district in Ohio and 2nd Franklin County district to implement. Officer Jones recruited a training team of 38 to train over 700 staff! Gahanna is also the first program to use the new OhioHWC Portal (more information coming soon!). Thank you Officer Crystal Jones, Gahanna Division of Police and Gahanna-Jefferson Schools for your dedication to students!

The goal is to help students feel safe and supported at school without adding pressure or probing questions.

17/09/2025

Join us!

Exciting news! The Ohio Prevention Conference pre-conference (Oct. 9) will feature Handle With Care Ohio.

Theme: Integrating Trauma-Informed Care into Prevention
✅ Learn the OhioHWC model of fidelity
✅ Get involved locally or start your own program
✅ Explore OhioHWC procedures & resources
✅ Hear real-world success stories from state & county leaders

🔗 Reserve your spot now: https://bit.ly/41yEYhy

The Ohio Prevention Conference is made available through Prevention Action Alliance by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services.

24/06/2025

A wonderful example of relationship building in the community!

“Be the change you want to see in the world”

Yesterday, Dep. Waldron had the opportunity to embody that quote when he made a young man’s day for his birthday with a simple random act of kindness.

Here is what the young man’s mother shared with us.

“My son, Gunnur, was with my sister in-law at speedway in town getting his birthday slushy when this very nice deputy told my son happy birthday and let him turn the lights on his vehicle. Unfortunately, my sister in-law didn't get his name but someone told me its Deputy Waldron. The very simple and kind hearted thing he done for my son made his birthday very special and one he will never forget!! Please tell your deputy thank you!!”

We’re proud of our staff for everything that they do to serve our community every day. However, acts like this one show the true condition of the hearts of our public servants!!

27/05/2025

In honor of Morrow County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Daniel Weston Sherrer.

26/05/2025

Today we remember and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice serving in the U.S. military. Wishing you a SAFE Memorial Day!

15/05/2025

Thank you to the brave officers willing to run toward danger instead of away, selflessly willing to protect others, and to those that have paid the ultimate price in doing so. Thank you all for your bravery and service.

Today we remember…

30/04/2025

Meet Eddie Neel, HWC Coordinator for Scioto & Lawrence Counties with Impact Prevention. He prioritizes connection, authenticity, and a prevention-focused approach to HWC and the many other initiatives he leads. He is always willing to offer encouragement to other Coordinators and shares his expertise through training on behalf of OhioHWC. Learn more about his work in the video!
We'll be sharing more stories from HWC Coordinators across Ohio through 2025. Stay tuned to learn more about our program and meet more wonderful care-ers making a difference!

23/04/2025

Know2Protect — the national campaign dedicated to combating child exploitation and online threats — will host a high-impact livestream event featuring Department of Homeland Security Special Agent Dennis Fetting and country music star John Rich.

Together, they will discuss how families and communities can better protect children from online predators—and what steps we can all take to stay informed and proactive.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 7:00 pm CT / 8:00 pm ET

WHERE: Watch on X and

WHO: Hosted by Know2Protect with guests Special Agent Dennis Fetting, DHS Homeland Security Investigations & John Rich, Award-Winning Country Musician

26/03/2025

OhioHWC is 5! Ohio’s first program began in 2018, with Hopewell Health Centers/Hopewell Health Centers Early Childhood Programs & the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services formalizing OhioHWC’s model and working toward statewide implementation beginning in March 2020. Thank you to the 75+ Coordinators leading in their communities to make HWC a success! 51 of 88 counties are working to Handle With Care!

27/02/2025

Meet Dublin HWC Coordinator, Officer Scott Nichelson (City of Dublin, Ohio - Government). He worked for 2+ years to bring HWC to Dublin City Schools, the first successful launch in Franklin County and largest district to launch OhioHWC to date. Learn more about his work in the video! Special thanks to Lisa Dale-Press, Dublin’s Emerald Campus Video Teacher, for creating the video.

We'll be sharing more stories from HWC Coordinators across Ohio through 2025. Stay tuned to learn more about our program and meet more wonderful care-ers making a difference!

21/01/2025

Meet Lorain County HWC Coordinators, Lauren Cieslak (MHARS Lorain County), Chantille Jackson (Elyria City Schools), and Caroline Bryant (LifeCare Ambulance). Together they have trained nearly 2000 first responders and school staff to respond to the needs of students following traumatic events. Maintaining fidelity with flexibility, they have adapted the model to meet needs in various communities- prioritizing trauma-informed care, collaboration, and quality across systems. Learn more about their roles and work in the video!

We'll be sharing more stories from HWC Coordinators across Ohio through 2025. Stay tuned to learn more about our program and meet other wonderful care-ers making a difference!