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.
Safety Rule #2 - Spot Red Flags.
Safety Rule #3 - Make a Move.
Safety Rule #4 - Talk It Up.
Safety Rule #5 - No Blame | No Shame.
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