MBF Prevention Education Programs

The Monique Burr Foundation for Children is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 to protect children from all types of maltreatment and exploitation by providing evidence-based/evidence-informed comprehensive prevention education based on polyvictimization research. MBF offers primary prevention programs that educate and empower students (K-12th grade) and all relevant adults with information and strategies to prevent bullying, cyberbullying, the four types of child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect), relationship abuse, sexual assault, digital dangers, exploitation, and child trafficking:

MBF Child Safety Matters^®is a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum for elementary school students in grades K-5.

MBF Teen Safety Matters^® is a comprehensive, evidence-informed prevention education program for middle school students in grades 6-8 and high-school students in grades 9-12.

MBF After-School Safety Matters^® is a comprehensive, evidence-informed prevention education program for youth in grades K-8 in after-school programs and youth-serving organizations.

MBF Athlete Safety Matters^® is a comprehensive, evidence-informed curriculum that educates and empowers youth athletes in grades K through 12th.

MBF Prevention Education Programs are aligned with the implications of polyvictimization research. Recent research supports the funding of child safety and prevention efforts that focus on the broad spectrum of victimizations that children suffer, rather than those that are isolated toward one type of victimization over another.

Prevention

The need for prevention education is critical, as abuse and bullying affect far too many children:

1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before they reach their 18th birthday (Prevalence: 1 in 10. (n.d.). August 2013.)
“Porn” is the 4th most frequently searched term online by children 7 and under (Kids’ Top Searches of 2009. (2009). Online Family. Norton.)
28% of students ages 12-18 were Bullied at school during the 2008/2009 school year (StopBullying.gov)

Program Features and Benefits:

Easy and practical for schools to implement
Developmentally appropriate
Based on Polyvictimization research
Provides universal strategies to better protect children, including five easy-to-remember Safety Rules
Educates children, school staff, and parents
Provides practice and reinforcement of learned skills
Created, reviewed, and supported by experts
Trusted by parents and schools

The programs, implemented by trained facilitators, are taught in two developmentally appropriate, interactive lessons per grade. Lessons range from 35 to 55 minutes each.

Reinforcement materials for youth and adults are included with programs to foster adult/child communication, reinforce the MBF 5 Safety Rules and keep parents the ultimate authority in the child’s life.

The MBF 5 Safety Rules are the primary prevention strategy taught in the programs:

5 Safety Rules

Safety Rule #1 - Know What’s Up.

The first thing kids and adults can do to help adults keep them safe is to Know What’s Up. This means kids know how to dial 911, they know the safety procedures at home and at school, and know their personal information. Adults Know What’s Up by understanding the dangers to kids and how they can help keep them safe.

Safety Rule #2 - Spot Red Flags.

Spotting Red Flags means that kids and adults can see the warning signs that might alert them that a situation is not safe. Red flags are clues that they, or someone they know, might be in danger.

Safety Rule #3 - Make a Move.

When kids find themselves in an unsafe situation, it can help to know that they have choices to help them be safe. Kids can Make a Move, such as Get Away or Stay Away, to help keep them safe. Adults can also use Safety Rule #3 to Make a Move on behalf of kids to help keep them safe.

Safety Rule #4 - Talk It Up.

Kids and adults can Talk It Up. They can talk to safe adults and each other when they are faced with an unsafe situation, need help, or to stand up to someone harming others. Kids can also use Safety Rule #4 to use their voice to say no to harmful touches or bullying.

Safety Rule #5 - No Blame | No Shame.

Safety Rule #5 tells kids there is No Blame | No Shame if something bad happens to them. It also tells them if they have been hurt in the past and didn’t tell, it’s still okay to tell. Safety Rule #5 tells adults if a child has been hurt, they are not to blame and there is no shame in seeking help.

The programs are available at a minimal cost and at no cost to Florida public schools, through an appropriation from the Florida Office of the Attorney General.

The programs are RESEARCHED. They use the best theories, guidelines and practices from prevention research.

The programs are PRACTICAL. They were developed with schools, not for schools, and make the best use of existing resources. This ensures schools and organizations have usable programs that will reach and protect children, rather than sit on shelves.

The programs are SUPPORTED. They are supported by state and national subject matter experts, leaders and agencies in the education and prevention fields including the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Healthy Schools, Office of Safe Schools and Student Support Services, and is supported by the Attorney General’s Office, as well as the US Department of Justice; therefore they can be TRUSTED by parents, schools and administrators.

They are aligned with Instructional and Health Education Standards, as well as the American School Counseling Association’s Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success. MBF Prevention Education Programs also help schools meet statute and policy requirements for bullying and abuse prevention.

Other programs may claim efficacy and high numbers served; however, MBF Prevention Education Programs have outcome data showing more than a 4.5 million students reached since the programs began in 2010, indicating a true partnership with schools and organizations.

Learn more about MBF Prevention Education Programs HERE.

www.mbfpreventioneducation.org

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