The Handle With Care
Endangered & At-Risk Youth
Response Team of Pennsylvania

A Handle with Care Program
“Collaboratively combining the expertise and resources of multiple professionals, agencies, and communities to improve interventions for children and families.”

Developed by:

Supporters:

• PFSA (Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance)
• PennCAC (Children’s Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania)
• Mainstream Counseling
• TIU11
• The First Center
• Huntingdon Counseling
• Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
• Children First PA

Vision:
Every child in Pennsylvania should have the opportunity to experience a safe and healthy childhood free from exposures to illegal substance abuse and influence, child abuse and neglect, and unnecessary trauma; while also being supported in areas of trauma- informed care, mental health, and other environmental influences.

Mission:
Create an early warning “handle with care” alert between Law Enforcement,
Children and Youth Services and local school districts to provide timely and valuable information about concerned youth that otherwise would go undetected and unreported.

Current Situation:
“At-Risk” Youth are only identified through:

• MTSS (Multi-tiered Systems of Support)
• SAP (Student Assistance Program)
• Other District provided supports

Addition of “Handle with Care” Alert

School Districts do not readily receive information from outside sources concerning their students. Information that may help identify endangered and at-risk youth, and lead to further assistance and services.

H.E.A.R.T would address the large demographic of students that should be “handled with care” and provide school staff valuable information in explaining behavior, discipline and academic changes.

The key is identifying endangered and at-risk youth earlier and/or reaching a
demographic of youth that never would have been identified for additional levels of support. This is an alert system only. No specific information will be provided to school personnel, as to why the alert was issued for the youth

Partnerships

H.E.A.R.T is currently available within the Huntingdon Area School District, the Mount Union Area School District, New Day Charter School, and the Tussey Mountain School District.

By end of School Year 25/26, H.E.A.R.T. will add the Juniata Valley School District and the Southern Huntingdon Area School District.

Presentations are ongoing weekly for H.E.A.R.T, as requests are received daily.

Support is continuing to grow with state and national level recognition and interest.  

One Team. One Response. One H.E.A.R.T.
Early Support • Safe Recovery • Stronger Tomorrow