MBF Reach
- More than 9,000 facilitators have been trained.
- Schools in all 67 Florida counties use MBF Programs.
- More than 11 million students globally are better protected from child victimization.
- 39 states, Washington D.C., and 6 countries utilize MBF Programs.
Evidence-Based
Based on the public health and social-ecological frameworks for prevention, MBF Prevention Education Programs were developed using the latest research and prevention best practices. These include developmental victimology and polyvictimization research, cognitive-behavioral theory, healthy sexual development, and trauma-informed practices, with a specific focus on the developmental stages and different learning styles of children. Additionally, MBF has completed four evaluations of the MBF Child Safety Matters program demonstrating its efficacy and is committed to ongoing research of all programs.
About the Monique Burr Foundation for Children
The Monique Burr Foundation for Children (MBF) is a nonprofit organization located in Jacksonville, FL. MBF is dedicated to providing the best prevention education programs to protect children and teens from victimization. MBF Prevention Education Programs are comprehensive, evidence-based/evidence-informed, primary prevention programs based on polyvictimization research that educate and empower children, youth, and all relevant adults with information and strategies to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to the four types of child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect), exploitation/trafficking, bullying, cyberbullying, and digital dangers. MBF programs are built on two foundational elements, the MBF 5 Safety Rules© and Safe Adults. MBF programs are developmentally appropriate, fun for kids, and provided at NO COST to Florida Public Schools*!
MBF Mental Health Matters
MBF has created NO COST Mental Health/Substance Abuse supplemental lessons. MBF Mental Health Matters lessons ensure schools and organizations meet the requirements of the Florida Department of Education Health Education Rules. Using MBF Mental Health Matters along with MBF Child Safety Matters/MBF Teen Safety Matters provides students with safety information using consistent messaging and the 5 Safety Rules and ensures they meet the comprehensive requirements of FLDOE Health Education Rules:
- 6A-1.094121 Mental and Emotional Health Education (6-12)
- 6A-1.094122 Substance Use and Abuse Health Education (K-12)
- 6A-1.094123 Child Trafficking Prevention Education (K-12)
Virtual Prevention Education
MBF recognizes that although children and teens are enrolled in virtual learning, prevention education is still a priority. To address the vast impact and increase in virtual learning, MBF created a Virtual Facilitator Guide. In addition to guidelines and tips for presenting remotely, the MBF Virtual Facilitator Guide addresses terms and conditions and resources for virtual delivery and increasing student engagement during online learning.
MBF Nearpod Lessons
MBF Nearpod Lessons, provided by the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, were developed to be a lesson delivery alternative using the learning platform, Nearpod.
Nearpod is a free online platform that helps our facilitators make virtual and remote MBF lessons interactive. With Nearpod, students will be able to access lessons and interact throughout the presentations on their individual devices using their web browser and a video conferencing platform, such as Zoom, Google Classroom, or Microsoft Teams. Nearpod allows students to interact with the media (such as quiz’s, polls, videos, collaborative boards, and more) as the lessons are presented by a Facilitator.
MBF Teen Safety Matters Nearpod Lessons are available for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students. Additional grade levels are currently in development and will launch soon.
HB 519 – Florida HEALTH EDUCATION BILL
MBF worked closely with Representative Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) and Senator Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) to ensure the children of Florida are safer moving forward by advocating for a new law to be passed. We are happy to announce that during the 2021 congressional session, Florida lawmakers passed HB 519, a new law that will ensure all Florida students receive comprehensive prevention education to address trafficking & child sexual abuse. Learn more about this mandate and how MBF is helping Florida public schools meet this new mandate: https://mbfpreventioneducation.org/hb-519/
Program Support
MBF Prevention Education Programs are approved, recommended by, or listed as resources by the following:
- Erin Merryn (Erin’s Law)
- David Finkelhor, Ph.D., Director, Crimes Against Children Research Center
- Sharon Cooper, MD, FAAP, Developmental & Forensic Pediatrician/Consultant, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
- Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., Director, Cyberbullying Research Center
- Darkness to Light
- Georgia’s Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation Prevention Technical Assistance Resource Guide
- National Educators to Stop Trafficking (NEST)
- California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse (CEBC)
- Colorado School Safety Resource Center – Resources for Child Sexual Abuse & Assault Prevention
- Utah State Board of Education Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Approved Programs
- Florida Department of Education Child Abuse Resources
- Child Abuse Prevention Sourcebook for Florida School Personnel
- Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi
- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody
- The Honorable Aaron Bean, Florida Senator, District 4 – Letter of Support
“There’s not a child in the world who can’t benefit from this program. There are so many instances where we see children who have been damaged and hurt. Things happened to them and we think, if they’d only had this program if they’d only had the benefit of this education, that might not have happened to them. If we can prevent that from happening to a single child, then it’s worth all the effort we have put forth.”
“The MBF Teen Safety Matters curriculum hosts an in-depth approach to important social and safety concerns relevant to youth. The program content is age-appropriate with engaging activities, jargon, and realistic situations to positively promote a relatable and impacting learning experience…Teen Safety Matters is an educational benefit to all parties involved – students, parents, facilitators, and schools.”
“I love the MBF lessons. The students are quickly and easily engaged in the program and they learn about safety measures in an easy and non-threatening way. This program also creates an awareness in our schools and the classroom culture that says prevention planning is key and it is important and okay to speak up about red flags and abuse.”
Deborah B. – Certified Facilitator
“The material presented in the MBF lessons is excellent, relevant and the most detailed I have ever seen for children and teens! The students I present to (Kindergarten to 12th grade) are all responsive, interactive, and engaged with the material presented. Many of my elementary students continue to show me the Safety Rules motions in the hallway and cafeteria! They remember and look forward to these presentations in the classroom. MBF is an incredible organization, and I am proud to share this information with students.”
Nicole W. – Certified Facilitator
Columbia County School Board
“I have been searching for 10 actual years to find a prevention education program that is modern and research-based. Up until MBF, I had ZERO luck and was forced to create my own curriculum. Having used MB this school year in the fall, I have already seen a HUGE difference in how our kids communicate and approach safe adults to share.”
Teri C. – Certified Facilitator
Barclay School Brockport Central School District