Lake Dallas ISD board approves 'Handle With Care' program to alert schools after student trauma

The Lake Dallas ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously May 11 to adopt a memorandum of understanding with the Lake Dallas Police Department and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute to implement the national "Handle With Care" program across the district.

Chief Springer, speaking for the district's safety team, said the program links law enforcement and schools so staff receive immediate, limited notifications when a child is involved in an out‑of‑school traumatic event. "It alerts schools whenever a child experiences a trauma...there's no details that are shared — it's simply letting the district know that the kid was involved in a traumatic event," Springer said.

A Lake Dallas Police Department representative described the mechanics: officers will send a secure notification that includes the district, the child's school, the child's name and age; the district chooses which staff accounts receive alerts. "You don't know why we're there. You don't know why they got referred. Nothing. You just simply know that something happened," the officer said, adding the system is set up through a secure regional network rather than ordinary email.

Presenters and board members emphasized confidentiality and FERPA compliance. A Meadows Institute representative said the institute will provide trauma‑informed training to counselors and staff and help the district define who receives notifications and how referrals proceed. The district will use existing referral partnerships (including outside agencies) for cases requiring intensive intervention.

Board members asked practical questions about who will see alerts and how staff should respond. Chief Springer and district staff said counselors will receive notifications by default while the district finalizes whether assistant principals, campus safety officers or classroom teachers will be included in the notice list.

Mr. Smith made the motion to approve the MOU; Miss Collier seconded. The board approved the agreement unanimously.

Implementation steps presented to the board call for Meadows Institute training for counselors and staff and establishing secure communication procedures before the next school year. District leaders said they expect the program to help staff identify and provide early support to students exposed to traumatic events, with the goal of reducing behavioral incidents and improving attendance and academic outcomes.

Next steps: the district will finalize who receives notifications, schedule the Meadows Institute training, and invite neighboring jurisdictions (Hickory Creek and Corinth police departments) to join the regional agreement if they choose.