CARMEL – Frank Guglieri, director of Regional Safety Services at Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES, is just a call away when a child is in crisis anywhere in Putnam County.
Guglieri serves as the point of contact for BOCES’ Handle with Care program, which allows emergency services such as police, 911, fire and child welfare services to notify the school about students who have been victims of crime, violence or abuse so that appropriate intervention can be made against the student.
“Children who experience trauma can experience anxiety and difficulty concentrating in school. That’s why the Handle with Care (HWC) program was created,” he said. “Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES Regional Safety Services is a partner of Handle with Care and acts as a mediator between emergency agencies and participating school districts to identify at-risk students. When there is an incident involving a child, no matter what time of day or night, I receive a notification from emergency services. The emergency could be the death of a student’s family member, abuse, a house fire, or any type of situation that would adversely affect the student.”
BOCES is partnering with the Child Advocacy Center of Putnam County for the community initiative and works closely with CAC Director Marla Behler as well as the Putnam Sheriff’s Office, Child Protective Services, Carmel, Kent, Brewster and Cold Spring police departments and the Putnam 911 Center.
Once Guglieri makes contact with the contact person in the student’s school district, the child’s teacher and other appropriate personnel will be notified to handle the student with care.
“This means paying special attention to the student and ensuring that if they appear upset or misbehave, they receive appropriate counselling and best practices. The programme helps schools provide comprehensive support,” he said.
Behler called children our future. “When they face challenges due to trauma, it is our shared responsibility to ensure they receive the support and care they need. The Handle with Care program embodies that commitment and creates a safety net that allows schools and communities to come together and provide healing and encouragement. Together, we can change these children’s lives and help them succeed.”
He praised the program’s partners. “We all want the best for the child.”
Guglieri has answered more than 730 calls in the past two years. “I usually get about one call a day. It’s a great program and I’m glad to be a part of it,” he said.
