What Happens To Newark Kids After A Traumatic Event?

NEWARK, NJ — When a traumatic event happens in Newark, the damage often continues long after the tragedy is over. That’s why the Newark Cares program, which provides assistance to school-age children exposed to trauma, is so important, city officials say.

Since Oct. 23 - just over a month - more than 20 children have been referred to Newark Cares after experiencing a family-related death, a domestic violence incident, the arrest of a family member, a fire or another traumatic event, officials with the Newark Department of Public Safety (NDPS) stated Tuesday.

The care that children get after such traumatic experiences can make all the difference in their lives, according to Valerie Nickerson, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, which provides liaison services to the Newark Police Department to help run the program.

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“We are very happy to have played a part in getting the Newark Cares program started,” Nickerson said. “It is so important that children exposed to trauma in the home can now receive special attention in school, if needed.”

According to the NDPS, an officer is required to complete a Newark Cares Notice whenever he or she responds to an incident where a school aged child is present. The form is emailed to a distribution list of Newark Police-School Resource Officers, the commander of the Police Division’s Youth Aide Section, Board of Education Security personnel and to a DEA liaison.

The Newark Board of Education’s security personnel then notify the student’s respective school, which may provide or refer the student to additional support as needed.

The NDPS stated:

“In respect of the child’s privacy, only a limited amount of information is captured on the forms so that school personnel are not made aware of the nature of the child’s exposure to family-related trauma. The information gathered includes the child’s name, grade and age. The form advises school officials that the child was at the scene of a police action and could exhibit academic, emotional and/or behavioral problems as a result.”

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File Photo: Newark Department of Public Safety