A new, more formal program between Lower Burrell police and the Burrell School District aims to support a child after they have experienced a traumatic incident.

The district and police are working with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Trauma Education and Response (TEAR) program for the initiative, called “Handle With Care.”

“This program notifies the school district if a child has suffered any type of trauma,” said Lower Burrell police Chief John Marhefka. “The school will then keep an extra eye on the child.”

Marhefka said the program was spearheaded by Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli. The DA’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

A recent house fire that displaced a family on Michigan Avenue in Lower Burrell is one example of an incident in which the program would be used, Marhefka said.

The Highlands and New Kensington-Arnold school districts also use the program.

According to the AIU, officers scan a QR code after encountering a traumatic event where a child is present or could be affected by the outcome. It does not disclose all the details of the incident but rather tips off the school district that the child has experienced trauma.

Burrell Superintendent Shannon Wagner said Handle With Care will supplement what she called an already strong relationship between the district and police department.

“This program is giving structure to something that’s already existed,” she said.

Greg Egnor, Burrell’s director of pupil services, said district officials will undergo their official training for Handle With Care later this month.

“If we know ahead of time, we can activate our resources and give them an environment that doesn’t set them off or trigger them,” Egnor said.

That would, in turn, provide the opportunity for students to learn and grow while in school, Egnor said.

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