Prevention Services
Parents & Caregivers
Safety for youth and teens is a crucial concern in today’s world. From online safety to physical well-being, ensuring our kids’ protection is essential for their healthy development.
We must educate ourselves and our children about abuse in all its forms. It’s important to also teach kids about boundaries, consent, and healthy relationships from an early age. By staying informed, involved, and attentive, we can work together to create a safer environment for our children.
1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
Safety for youth and teens is a crucial concern in today’s world. From online safety to physical well-being, ensuring our kids’ protection is essential for their healthy development.
Parents & Caregivers
Prevention Services
Bullying and Cyberbullying
As parents, it's our responsibility to take proactive steps to prevent bullying and to respond effectively if our children are ever targeted.
With the rise of technology, cyberbullying has become a pervasive issue. We must educate our children about the importance of responsible online behavior, including the impact of their words and actions on others. If our children do experience bullying or cyberbullying, it's essential that they know they can turn to us for support.
Together, we can work with school authorities or law enforcement if necessary to address the situation and ensure the safety of our children.
90 Min
Prevention 101
Discuss basic prevention practices and understand the 5 Safety Rules that both children and adults can use to keep children safe.
90 Min
Circles of Safety
Understanding the Role of Healthy Sexual Development and Education in Sex Abuse Prevention
Developed by Stop It Now!, this workshop helps adults learn how we can better protect children from sexual abuse through safety steps and prevention tools.
90 Min
How to Talk to Kids about Abuse & Their Safety
This course will cover age-appropriate ways to communicate with the children in your lives about abuse, giving them language to talk about their bodies, concerns, and who to go to for help if needed.
90 Min
ACEs and Hope
Discuss the realm of ACEs and how toxic stress impacts our lives. We will explore ways we can promote positive childhood experiences and create resilience through hope and connection.
90 Min
Online Safety & Awareness
Developed by NCMEC, this presentation will provide participants with helpful information and prevention tools to protect their children online and share best practices to respond to their child if something happens.
As parents, it's our responsibility to take proactive steps to prevent bullying and to respond effectively if our children are ever targeted.
With the rise of technology, cyberbullying has become a pervasive issue. We must educate our children about the importance of responsible online behavior, including the impact of their words and actions on others. If our children do experience bullying or cyberbullying, it's essential that they know they can turn to us for support.
Together, we can work with school authorities or law enforcement if necessary to address the situation and ensure the safety of our children.
Bullying and Cyberbullying
Bullying & Cyberbullying Resources
Helpful Resources
Relationship Abuse
Teen dating violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. It can occur in person or through digital means, such as texting or social media. As parents, it's crucial that we educate ourselves about the warning signs of dating violence, such as sudden changes in behavior, isolation from friends and family, or unexplained injuries.
Additionally, we need to have open and honest conversations with our teenagers about healthy relationships and boundaries. Teach them to recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship and empower them to speak up if they ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
If you suspect your teenager is experiencing dating violence, it's essential to act. Listen to them without judgment, validate their feelings, and help them access the support and resources they need, whether it's counseling, legal assistance, or emergency shelter.
Helpful Resources
Online Safety
In today's digital age, ensuring our children's online safety is more important than ever.
We need to educate ourselves about the various dangers that exist online, including cyberbullying, online predators, inappropriate content, and identity theft.
By staying informed and taking the following steps, we can better guide and support our children in navigating the online world safely.
The 4th most frequently searched term online by children 7 and under is the word “porn.”
Establish Clear Rules
We must set boundaries for internet use in our homes. This includes setting limits on screen time, monitoring our children's online activities, and discussing responsible online behavior with them.
Teach Children About Privacy
Remind kids to be cautious about sharing sensitive information, such as their full name, address, phone number, or school, with strangers online.
Lead By Example
Model responsible online behavior yourself and demonstrate good digital citizenship to your children.
Actively Engage
Become involved with the technology our children use. Familiarize yourself with the privacy settings and parental controls available on these platforms and consider installing monitoring software to help keep track of your child's online activity.
By working together and staying vigilant, we can help ensure our children's safety in the digital world.
Online Safety Resources
Recognizing Signs of Crisis
The signs that your child may be in crisis can include sudden changes in behavior, withdrawing from social activities, expressing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, changes in sleep or eating patterns, or engaging in risky behaviors. Trust your instincts as a parent and don't hesitate to seek help if you're concerned about your child's well-being.
Open Communication
It’s essential for parents to create a safe and non-judgmental space for their child to express their feelings and concerns. Listening actively and empathetically can help children feel understood and supported.
Seeking Professional Help
If a child's behavior is putting them or others in danger, or if they are showing signs of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, it's crucial to reach out to a mental health professional for assessment and treatment.
Understanding Risk Factors
A history of trauma or abuse, family conflict, academic pressure, bullying, substance abuse, and mental health disorders can be risk factors for a child in crisis.
Building a Support Network
Parents should not try to handle the crisis alone. Building a support network of trusted friends, family members, teachers, and mental health professionals can provide both emotional support and practical assistance in navigating the crisis.
Self-Care for Parents
Taking care of oneself is essential when supporting a child in crisis. Parents should prioritize their own well-being by seeking support from friends or a therapist, practicing self-care activities, and managing stress effectively.
Promoting Resilience
Encouraging problem-solving skills, fostering positive relationships, and teaching healthy coping mechanisms can all contribute to building resilience in children.
Being Patient and Understanding
Dealing with a youth in crisis can be challenging, and progress may not happen overnight. Parents should be patient and understanding, showing their child unconditional love and support throughout the journey to recovery.
Youth in Crisis
As a parent, it can be incredibly distressing to see your child struggling, but understanding how to provide effective support can make a world of difference.
When parents are dealing with a youth in crisis, it's crucial to understand several key aspects:
Help is available.
Experiencing a crisis?
Crisis Resources
Trafficking
As parents, it is crucial that we educate ourselves about the signs and risks of child trafficking so that we can protect our children. Some common indicators of trafficking include sudden changes in behavior, secret cell phones, unexplained absences from home or school, and signs of physical abuse or neglect.
We must also teach our children about personal safety and empower them to recognize and resist potential dangers. Encourage open communication with your children and create a safe space where they feel comfortable coming to you with any concerns they may have.
All human trafficking involves sex.
Human trafficking only happens in illegal or underground industries.
Trafficking victims are held against their will, locked up, and physically unable to escape captivity.
Trafficking victims are usually kidnapped by strangers.
You need proof to report child trafficking.
Common Trafficking Myths
Helpful Resources
Helpful Resources
Talking to Kids
When talking to children about body safety, keep the conversation age-appropriate, use proper terms for body parts, and emphasize that their bodies belong to them. Teach them about boundaries, safe vs. unsafe touches, and that it's okay to say no to uncomfortable situations, even if they are confused.
Encourage them to listen to their gut and empower open communication. You can utilize the resources below to help you begin these crucial conversations. If your child is receiving the Monique Burr Foundation lessons in their school, using the MBF 5 Safety Rules is an excellent place to start. MBF resources are linked below as well.
Parent Academy
The Prevention Academy and Resource Center will be available to parents and caregivers who would like to receive topic-specific prevention education that focuses on children’s safety.
The Prevention Academy is a six-session program, each session lasting 90 minutes and will be available in the Spring of 2025. Child care will be available for all in-person programming and hybrid options will be available to add accessibility.
Signs a Child May Be the Victim of Bullying:
Loss of long-time friends or change in friends
Change in social habits/social isolation
Change in personality/normal behavior
Deviation from normal behavior
Eating or sleeping disturbances
Avoidance of family members or environments/situations once enjoyed
Avoidance of questions related to their behaviors, actions, feelings, or school activities
Unexplained injuries upon return from school
Frequent and unexplained lost items
Frequent hunger upon return from school
Request to alter school path or transportation method
Frequent complaints of illness/not wanting to go to school
Change/decline in grades
Low self-esteem, depression, suicidal talk or behavior
Increased amounts of text messages received
Change in online behavior (up late online, secretive, makes new friends)
Shuts off computer/cell phone when a parent or caregiver approaches
Any of the indicators for bullying
Frequent computer or cell phone use
Depressed or agitated behavior after being online or on their cell phone
New contacts on phone or social networking sites on computer
Signs A Child May Be The Victim Of CyberBullying:
Schedule a Session
To register for the Prevention Academy, please fill out this form.
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