Suffolk County Sheriff's Office expands 'Handle with Care' program to Central Islip school district
Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. in his office at the Riverhead Correctional Facility. Credit: Newsday/Drew Singh
An initiative designed to help students who witness a "traumatic, law enforcement-involved incident" outside the classroom will now be offered in the Central Islip school district, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. announced this week.
The expansion of the Sheriff's Office’s "Handle With Care" program comes months after it was first piloted in the Huntington school district in September. The program, which originated in West Virginia, calls for police to notify schools when a child is present during a law enforcement response like a traffic stop or the serving of a warrant, officials said.
Educators will not be given details of the event but police will share the address of the child involved, officials previously said. Students could then receive flexibility in completing assignments and tests, or be connected with "additional support services."
"We have seen firsthand that this program gives us a simple, confidential way to help children who may need extra patience and compassion because of a situation at home," Toulon Jr. said in a statement announcing the expansion. "My hope is that we can continue to expand it across Suffolk County, building stronger connections between law enforcement and schools and most importantly ensuring that children are supported with care."
The program has also been implemented in all the East End districts that fall under the Southampton Town police district, starting with Hampton Bays last February, Newsday previously reported.
A department spokeswoman said the sheriff's office is in talks with two more districts that could potentially join in the program in the coming months.
Central Islip schools Superintendent Sharon A. Dungee said the district is "extremely fortunate" to implement the program in its schools.
"We wholeheartedly embrace Dr. Toulon's 'Handle With Care' program, which will provide school officials with additional insight during instances when students may need a little extra understanding and guidance as they navigate their school day," Dungee said in a statement.
The Central Islip school district enrolled more than 7,600 students during the 2024-25 school year, according to state figures.
The district and department have also collaborated through the Sheriff’s Office's flagship Student Ambassador Program, which is designed to expand the office’s "outreach, assistance and trust within the community," officials said.
