WHO ARE DRUG ENDANGERED CHILDREN (DEC)?

According to www.wisconsindec.org, “A DEC Child is any child, born or unborn, at risk of neglect, or sexual or physical abuse, or emotional abuse, or mental harm by the parent's or caregiver's use, distribution or manufacture of any controlled substance or the parent's or caregiver's failure to protect the child from the exposure to the use, distribution or manufacture of any controlled substance.”

Handle with Care ASSISTS DEC CHILDREN

In Columbia County, WI, we currently have five school districts who have joined forces with local law enforcement agencies to recognize and respond to DEC Children’s needs. In late December 2021, PARCC distributed an electronic form to local law enforcement agencies. This form is titled the “Handle with Care Notice.”

When a child is exposed to a traumatic event due to being on the scene of a recent police contact, the law enforcement officer will complete the form and email it to the appropriate school contact.

This alerts the school the child could exhibit academic, emotional, and/or behavioral problems as a result of exposure to a traumatic event and to please handle him/her with care.