2021 Conference: “Handle with Care Maryland – Program Overview and Updates”

In February 2018, Governor Hogan announced that Maryland will implement the Handle with Care program statewide. At his direction, the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention is implementing the Handle with Care model across the state to increase trauma-informed approaches and to address Adverse Childhood Experiences to prevent future victimization or criminality. If a law enforcement officer encounters a child during a call, that child’s name and three words, HANDLE WITH CARE, are forwarded to the school/child care agency before the school bell rings the next day. The school implements individual, class and whole school trauma-sensitive curricula so that traumatized children are “Handled With Care.” If a child needs more intervention, on-site trauma-focused mental healthcare is available at the school.

V. Glenn Fueston, Jr., who will be presenting this session, is the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. Appointed by Governor Larry Hogan in March 2016,  Mr. Fueston has utilized his extensive background in criminal justice and crime prevention to direct efforts to fulfill Governor Hogan’s goal of safer communities for those who work, visit, and live in Maryland. Mr. Fueston has worked to enhance and improve many of GOCCP’s long-standing programs and grant processes through data collection and analysis and has assisted more than 500,000 victims under Governor Hogan’s leadership. He has also created innovative programs designed to improve victim services, disrupt violent crime as well as criminal organizations, and address a range of issues including human trafficking and adverse childhood experiences. A native of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Mr. Fueston earned a dual bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from Salisbury University, and a master’s degree in human resource management from Towson University.

Kelly Gorman will facilitate, and she is the Statewide Handle with Care Coordinator and Program Assistant for the Children and Youth Division at the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. She is responsible for implementing the Handle with Care Maryland Program throughout the state. Handle with Care is designed to offer support services to youth who experience trauma and violence by connecting law enforcement, the school system, and community mental health providers. Ms. Gorman also provides support to the Children’s Justice Act Committee, a subcommittee of the State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect. Ms. Gorman has attended trainings on domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma-informed practices. Ms. Gorman graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. 

Education Administrators, Teachers, School Psychologists/Guidance Counselors, School Resource Officers (SROs), Law Enforcement, Local/State Emergency Managers, Fusion Center Analysts, Crisis Intervention Units, Counselors & Mental Health Specialists, School Social Workers, School Safety Professionals, and other school safety stakeholders interested in attending this presentation should register for the July 2021 MCSS School Safety Summer Conference at http://conference2021.safeschoolsmd.org/.