WORCESTER, Mass. - More help is on the way for local children impacted by drug use. The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office announced a new $1.6 million grant to expand diversion programs and create the Worcester County Drug Endangered Children’s Alliance.

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early said for every overdose death or violent crime related to drugs, those close to the situation often experience long lasting trauma, particularly children. He added that without intervention, 40% to 60% of those kids end up in the criminal justice system.

“It’s the children who are often the forgotten victims who are exposed to this untold trauma," Early said. "The 9-year-olds, the 8-year-olds, the 12-year-olds. Imagine them reacting to their parent’s overdose or a police officer coming through the door on a warrant.”

In Worcester County, data shows the identification rate of children experiencing this trauma is lower than expected for a region of its size – meaning there’s likely kids out there who need help. Early said the new alliance can work together to intervene before its too late.

“Often times, these kids are in school the next day at 8 am, believe it or not, they go to school and nobody knows," Early said. "Where in the past, they might have got disciplined for falling asleep in class, they might have gotten disciplined for not being prepared for a test or falling asleep, now they get a warm hug. The police will call the school with a simple three word message - handle with care.”

The National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children will help in getting Worcester County’s alliance off the ground by performing a community needs assessment and providing trauma informed training. Director of network development Stacee Read said it can start with something as simple as a teacher or guidance counselor letting kids know they’re important and somebody cares.

“Even those things that may seem little to us have the greatest impact for these children, and then being able to put them into different types of services is huge as well," Read said. "It helps them to heal and hopefully changes that trajectory.”

The grant money will also help low level offenders with a history of substance misuse get treatment and reduce the number of unintentional overdose deaths among low-level offenders and criminal justice system-involved individuals in Worcester County.

For more information on the grant, click here.