033-21 - South Kitsap School District - ContractDocuSign Envelope ID: 21871C4B-CC45-4E3B-B74F-CCA587BEC5DC
Contract No. 033-21
Memorandum of Understanding
Between
South Kitsap School District
and
Port Orchard Police Department, South Kitsap Fire & Rescue and
Kitsap County Sheriffs Office
Notification of Exposure to Trauma
I.PURPOSE
The Larger Project. To further implement an initiative aimed at addressing children's exposure
to violence and trauma. Childhood exposure to violence and trauma, without the right supports, is
often associated with increased risk of poor outcomes in emotional, behavioral and physical health
over the life span. Children exposed to violence and trauma are also at a higher risk of poor school
related outcomes and are more likely to enter the criminal justice system later in life, which can
contribute to generational cycles of violence and system involvement. This project directly
addresses the goal of mitigating these negative impacts of exposure to trauma when it does occur,
by providing support and on -site, trauma focused interventions by school staff and/or mental health
providers, if necessary, to children identified by local law enforcement, fire, and school personnel.
Notification of Exposure to Trauma. Acknowledging the collaborative work already
underway in the community around trauma and specifically around social and emotional health
within the school system, this Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") will focus on
notification to the school system by law enforcement and fire personnel when a child is exposed
to trauma in the home or in the community to enable the child's school to handle the child with
care upon his or her arrival at school the next school day following the incident. For the purpose
of this MOU, the phrase "exposed to trauma" shall be construed broadly and by way of example
and not by way of limitation, shall mean and include any event where a child is a victim or
witness, experiences or is involved in, or is questioned relative to, any of the following: the
abuse of a family member, loved one, or pet; abuse or neglect; child custody, visitation or
support or other domestic relations controversy where there is law enforcement intervention;
community violence; the commission of a crime; loss of a family member or friend; an overdose;
the arrest of a family member; racism or any other form of discrimination; homelessness; mental
DocuSign Envelope ID: 21871C4B-CC45-4E3B-B74F-CCA587BEC5DC
illness and /or substance abuse by a parent or caregiver; hospitalization or family illness;
incarceration of a parent or family member; sudden, unexpected or frequent changes in
caregiver, , program or home life; natural disasters; or similar acts or experiences. Should a law
enforcement officer or fire personnel be uncertain as to whether or not to give notice to the
school, judgement should be exercised in favor of notification.
II. Port Orchard Police Department, Kitsap County Sheriffs Office, ("LE") and South
Kitsap Fire Service Personnel Agree to:
A) Send a notification to South Kitsap School District identifying children that have been
present for police or emergency services interactions or otherwise exposed to violence or
trauma in the community following the notification protocol as outlined below.
B) Notification shall be given by sending an email to: hand lewithcare@skschools.org, stating
the child's name, approximate age, school attended if known, in the body of the email, and
the acronym HWC in the subject line.
C) Notifications will contain no specific information about the incident in order to maintain
privacy of the student and their family.
D) Otherwise maintain the confidentiality of students and their families.
III. South Kitsap School District agrees to:
A) Receive notifications, as described in section II A and B above from LE/Fire Personnel and
disseminate them to the designated point persons within each school by forwarding to them
the HWC e-mail notification.
B) Upon receipt of a Handle with Care notification identifying a child who has been exposed
to trauma, the designated point persons within each school will then disseminate the
notification to appropriate teachers, social workers, guidance counselors, and any other
relevant staff.
C) Provide identified students who are exhibiting behaviors that are not consistent with their
normal manner a safe person and space where they can receive additional supports, , or
allowing the student to rest if he or she is having a hard time focusing or staying awake;
but otherwise not addressing the child about the incident.
D) Provide education on trauma informed care to all school personnel, parents and guardians,
as requested and/or as required by law.
E) Comply with all laws, regulations and district policies pertaining to the confidentiality of
student information and records. Notifications may be maintained for any purposes
consistent with the purpose of this MOU, but shall not be part of any student's permanent
record.
IV. TERMINATION, ADDITIONAL AGENCIES, AND LIABILITY:
DocuSign Envelope ID: 21871C4B-CC45-4E38-B74F-CCA587BEC5DC
A) Any agency has the right to cancel this MOU with 30 days written notice to the other
parties. Should any LE/Fire agency terminate this MOU, then the MOU shall remain in
effect as to all other agencies.
13) Additional agencies, whether or not a law enforcement agency, may become parties to this
MOU with the agreement of all current parties to this MOU, which may be effected by the
execution of an addendum to this MOU by such agency and all current parties to this MOU
C) Each party shall be responsible for the actions committed by that party and its agents. No
party assumes any liability for any actions committed by any other party. However, each
party to this Agreement agrees to cooperate fully with the other party in the defense of
claims, pursuant to these provisions. This cooperation will include, but is not limited to,
the following:
l ) Immediate notification to the other parties of any accident or incident resulting in
personal injury, damage or having the potential for liability;
2) Immediate notification to the other parties of any claim made against it alleging
liability;
3) Permit parties of this Agreement to conduct a parallel independent investigation of
any incident, and/or
4) Make personnel and records available for purposes of the investigation or defense
of any claim and/or legal proceeding to the extent permitted by law.
This MOU shall remain in effect until terminated as provided herein.
Effective this 2 day of March 2021.
SOUTH KITSAP SCHOOL DISTRICT
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KITSAP COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
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SOUTH KITSAP FIRE AND RESCUE
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