Prevention Services
Youth Serving Organizations
Staff at youth serving organizations are in a position of trust and authority over children, making them well placed to notice signs of abuse or neglect. Early detection and training can help prevent further harm to a child and create safer environments where children feel safe, secure, and supported.
Staff at youth serving organizations are in a position of trust and authority over children, making them well placed to notice signs of abuse or neglect. Early detection and training can help prevent further harm to a child and create safer environments where children feel safe, secure, and supported.
Youth Serving Organizations
Prevention Services
Peer Support Programs
Implement peer support programs or Safe Friend systems, especially where older students mentor younger ones, to help foster a culture of kindness and inclusivity.
Education and Awareness
Organizations can incorporate bullying prevention into their curriculum or bring in experts (like CACGROC!) to engage students through age-appropriate lessons and activities.
Open Dialogue
Encourage open discussions about bullying in classrooms, assemblies, or special events. Create a safe space for students to share their experiences, ask questions, and seek support.
Clear Policies and Procedures
Ensure that organizations have clear guidelines in place to address bullying incidents. This includes reporting mechanisms, investigation processes, and consequences.
Empower Bystanders
Teach students the importance of being active bystanders and standing up against bullying. Encourage them to be safe friends, report incidents, and support their peers who are being targeted.
Parental Involvement
Involve parents in bullying prevention efforts by providing resources, hosting workshops, and encouraging open communication between home and school.
Staff Intervention
Train teachers and staff to be safe adults by recognizing signs of bullying, intervening effectively, and providing support to all students involved.
Bullying and Cyberbullying
Organizations can address bullying with students in several ways:
1 in 4 children is or will be bullied, and 1 in 5 will be cyberbullied.
Bullying & Cyberbullying Resources
Relationship Abuse
Research shows that many teenagers experience various forms of relationship abuse, including physical, emotional, and digital abuse. Understanding the prevalence of this abuse allows staff to work together to educate, promote consent, and respect, and provide support to those affected.
Online Safety
Research indicates that online exploitation, including grooming, sextortion and cyberbullying, is alarmingly common among young people. By understanding the prevalence of this exploitation, staff working with youth can implement measures like educating youth about online safety, promoting responsible digital citizenship, and providing support services for those who have experienced exploitation.
Learn more about preventing child exploitation online:
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Research indicates that online exploitation, including grooming, sextortion and cyberbullying, is alarmingly common among young people. By understanding the prevalence of this exploitation, staff working with youth can implement measures like education youth about online safety, promoting responsible digital citizenship, and providing support services for those who have experienced exploitation.
Learn more about preventing child exploitation online:
Online Safety
Youth in Crisis
It is important for youth serving organizations to understand the unique challenges and vulnerabilities that young people face, such as mental health issues, substance abuse, family conflicts and socioeconomic pressures. For organizations, this means being equipped to support young individuals during turbulent times by providing resources, guidance, and a safe space for them to navigate through difficulties and emerge stronger.
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Crisis Resources
Trafficking
It is crucial that we educate ourselves about the signs and risks of child trafficking so that we can protect children from falling victim. 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 children about personal safety and empower them to recognize and resist potential dangers.
Learn more about preventing child trafficking:
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
After School Programs
We’re proud to partner with the YMCA of Greater Rochester to provide the MBF After School Safety Matters programming in many area school districts.
MBF After-School Safety Matters®
A comprehensive, evidence-informed prevention education program that teaches children and adults how to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to the four types of child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect), bullying, cyberbullying, and digital dangers.
90 Min
Less is More
Help school staff understand trauma, how trauma affects behavior, how to look for indicators that something may be going on with a student, and how to be a safe space to allow students to share. The training also instructs staff on how to effectively partner with the CAC during their response to a situation.
90 Min
Circles of Safety
Understanding and Responding to Warning Signs of Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Children
How can we figure out when a child’s sexual behaviors are concerning? While sometimes obvious, sometimes it’s not so clear. Regardless of the history of the children we work with, there are warning signs in both children and adults that we can respond to and work to create safer environments.
90 Min
NYS Mandated Reporter Training
The CAC is authorized to provide the new mandatory training for all mandated reporters in NYS. The training is comprehensive and includes interactive learning exercises that allow participants to test their knowledge using case examples. A certificate of attendance is sent to those who complete the course, with a credit for two hours of training on this topic. Mandated Reporters must complete this updated training by April 1, 2025, to follow N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 413(5).
30-60 Min
Child Advocacy Center (CAC) 101
A basic introduction to our CAC as a community resource. Learn what a child can expect when they come to our center what services we provide, and how we can be a resource.
60-90 Min
ACEs: An Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences
This introductory course will look at the realm of ACEs through a trauma-informed lens and discuss their effects on children and adults including brain development, and social, mental, and emotional impacts. We will discuss Protective Factors that can help prevent ACEs and different strategies that can help build resilience to mitigate the impacts of ACEs.
Training
Schedule a Training
To schedule a training for your organization, please fill out this form.
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