NORTHAMPTON — When Kara McElhone, executive director of child welfare nonprofit Children’s Advocacy Center of Hampshire County, searched in vain for a satellite office in Belchertown, Police Chief Kevin Pacunas personally helped her locate a place to rent.

When McElhone decided to bring Handle with Care to Hampshire County, a program that increases communication between law enforcement and school staff regarding crisis calls after school hours, Belchertown Superintendent Brian Cameron and Pacunas were among the first to jump on the opportunity.

“It was clear that Belchertown was committed,” McElhone said during the This Little Light of Mine Luminaria event at Look Park on Thursday. “Just this past 18 months, Belchertown has issued 145 Handle With Care notices. That’s 145 times that child has an opportunity to exceed extra support, compassion and attention from new folks in their lives. That doesn’t happen by accident. That happens when leadership prioritizes kids.”

For their dedication to the well being and safety of children, the CAC awarded the Belchertown Police and School departments the Linda L. Pisano Award for Excellence during the nonprofit’s fifth annual luminaria ceremony. The event also commemorated the $84,000 raised since the beginning of April for Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.

“We’re just delighted to receive this award, and we thank you,” Cameron said. “I think this for us is a true testament to our shared commitment to the safety, well being and success for all of our children in Belchertown.”

The CAC provides an array of services to support children who have undergone abuse, neglect and exploitation, including forensic interviews, mental health support, trauma-informed medical care and prevention education. Over 200 children receive services from the CAC each year, and the nonprofit has trained 1,792 local adults to recognize signs of abuse and support children in need.

“It’s always hard to wrap my head around the painful experiences some children go through,” CAC Board President Nancy Lapointe said. “It just doesn’t seem possible that these kids right here in Hampshire County have experienced such great harm.”

The organization works closely with the Northwestern district attorney’s office, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families and local law enforcement to identify vulnerable children and protect those harmed.

Pacunas said the CAC makes Handle with Care as streamlined as possible. If a traumatic incident with a child occurs, he scans a QR code that allows him to share a police report with Superintendent’s Office, which is reviewed and goes out to the appropriate building that the child will be in that day.

“I’ve lived in Belchertown my entire life. I have children. Obviously, we want to keep our children safe,” Pacunas said. “The little bit of work I did really was well worth it.”

Then, the school building’s administrators communicate with teachers, counselors and any other trusted adults the child may interact with during the day that a traumatic incident happened the night before.

“We get the call, meaning there’s been some type of traumatic event, and so now we can support that student who’s trying to get through the day, and not make the mistake of thinking that they’re being defiant or disobedient or distracted,” Jabish Brook Principal Thomas Ruscio said. “We provide support during the day, whatever it is, we’re going support you.”

Support, Cameron said, can come in the form of a check in or permission for the student to visit the nurse or counselor or simply providing a little bit of extra kindness and care that day.

“It’s just really checking in on the student that may have the handle with care,” he continued. “It’s not going and prying and asking what happened. They (the child) may not want to talk about it, and that’s OK, but don’t get in a battle with them if we know something’s happening.”

One in four girls and one in six boys are sexually assaulted before the age of 18. To raise awareness of this fact, Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra began Thursday’s event by officially dedicating April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Following the declaration, Tara Brewster from CAC sponsor Greenfield Savings Bank spoke on how the luminaria event originated from the social limitations during the coronavirus pandemic.

“It was 2020 and we couldn’t have large events or breakfasts,” Brewster said. “Karen and I decided to come up with something that would be easy to have outside, something where people could kind of see and recognize all of the children that have come through the Advocacy Center.”

Outside, thousands of luminaria, white bags with a battery-powered candle, lined the entrance to Look Park, follow the walkway to the Garden House before ending in a heart arrangement. The event was buttoned by performances from the Art in Motion Momentum Company and a group sing of “Let It Shine.”

“A little child came in and he had experienced abuse, and he was sharing that experience, and he said, ‘Can I go out? I need another hug from my grandparents,’” McElhone said. “So the last one was wearing off, and he needed a recharge. Well, tonight you all being here that feels like a recharge to us. Thank you for being here in solidarity with the work that we do for today.”

Emilee Klein can be reached at eklein@gazettenet.com.