COVID-19 – We must protect children from abuse during this Pandemic!
During this challenging time of uncertainty, we know one thing is certain, kids need to feel and be safe. We also know for many kids, their schools are their safe place, and many kids have lost that and are facing much uncertainty and possibly an increased risk of abuse. We want you to know the MBF team is working diligently to provide school staff with resources to connect to kids remotely and help you keep them safe from afar. We’ve received inquiries from facilitators requesting to deliver MBF Prevention Education lessons remotely, and we understand the need to share social-emotional and safety content during this unnerving time for students. Thus, we are allowing remote live-streamed or recorded presentations of lessons by MBF Certified Facilitators through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Continuing the MBF lessons with students is a great way to help them feel connected and safe during this uncertain time. To help with this transition, we have compiled GUIDELINES AND TIPS FOR REMOTE PRESENTATION of MBF programs. |
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IF YOU DO NOT CURRENTLY IMPLEMENT MBF PREVENTION EDUCATION LESSONS in your local schools, it is critical that you start now. UNICEF reports, “Hundreds of millions of children around the world will likely face increasing threats to their safety and wellbeing – including mistreatment, gender-based violence, exploitation, social exclusion and separation from caregivers – because of actions taken to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
MBF Programs are comprehensive, evidence-based/evidence-informed and easy to use. We even have a digital only purchase option. See below for more information about ordering.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- We are nearly finished developing our annual April Child Abuse Prevention Lesson Plans and we are ensuring they can be delivered remotely. These topic-specific lessons will address online exploitation and trafficking to meet the needs of students during this critical time when they are receiving instruction via virtual platforms and are spending more time on digital devices. Watch your email (and our website) in the coming weeks for the lessons.
- If you are in need of professional development about critical safety topics, MBF offers 4 free one-hour online professional development trainings for educators, prevention specialists AND parents (on abuse, bullying prevention, and human trafficking). Share this link: https://mbfpreventioneducation.org/learn-more/online-training/
- Share this safety information with parents during this time of remote instruction and social distancing: The 5 Safety Rules which are the foundation of all MBF Programs can help keep children safe during this time just as they do at school. It’s important that children are prepared when they are around unfamiliar faces, and when they find themselves spending more time on digital devices. You can find more information by visiting https://mbfpreventioneducation.org/resource/summer-safety-matters/.
- Child sexual abuse can be prevented by learning the facts, talking about it, and minimizing opportunity. Check out this blog and find additional resources for parents from our Prevent 360° Partner, Darkness to Light, including their online Stewards of Children and other trainings!
- Here’s a page of resources to share with all educators: https://mbfpreventioneducation.org/resource-type/educator-resources
- And here’s a page to share directly with kids: https://mbfpreventioneducation.org/kids/
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FACILITATOR FEEDBACK
“I truly believe in the MBF Program. I brag on it all the time and as a school we see and hear the results. Parents and students have quoted the program and the teachers beg me to do it again year after year. Students come to me and say, ‘When you taught us the 5 Safety Rules, you said we should talk things out to people we trust… well, can we talk?'”
“As a school counselor, my caseload can be as high as 700 students, so knowing each and every one of my students and what they are going through can be a real challenge. Developing a relationship takes time and trust. MBF Child Safety Matters lessons give students a venue to recognize abuse, steps to prevent it, and a sense of trust that they can tell a safe adult and get help. Prior to becoming a counselor, I was a third-grade teacher. I had a little girl in my class who was very bright, but often quiet and reserved. Fast forward two years, and I am a school counselor delivering the first lesson of the MBF CSM curriculum to her fifth-grade class. Afterwards, she came to my office in tears. She disclosed that she had been sexually abused by a family member in third grade and hadn’t told anyone. She would be seeing him again for the first time at a family function in a month. She said she finally realized when we got to Safety Rule #5, No Blame/No Shame, that it wasn’t her fault and she should not be embarrassed about what happened to her. She just had never told anyone because she was ashamed. This little girl was brave enough to come forward after two years of shame and fear because MBF Child Safety Matters spoke directly to her. She was able to prevent future abuse to herself and other family members because the Safety Rules gave her a framework and the confidence to get help.”
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MBF continues to GROW!
MBF Programs are now being used in 22 states, Washington D.C., the Cayman Islands, South Korea and Bermuda. We are grateful for each and every one of our partnerships and especially for our facilitators who are doing the work to protect kids! |
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NEW MBF PROGRAMS
MBF Athlete Safety Matters® is now available
When the worst of this pandemic social distancing is behind us and kids are allowed to be kids again, sports programs will be a welcome relief and outlet. It is essential that preparation includes prevention education because safety is more than just injury prevention. MBF Athlete Safety Matters is a comprehensive, evidence-informed curriculum that educates and empowers ALL youth athletes with information and strategies to prevent, recognize and respond appropriately to bullying, cyberbullying, all types of abuse and digital dangers and is specifically designed for youth athletes of any sport. It’s developmentally appropriate, educates children, coaches, staff, volunteers and parents, and compliments the classroom lessons of MBF Child Safety Matters and MBF Teen Safety Matters.MBF After-School Safety Matters™ will be available in mid to late April
Is your organization still serving kids? Are you preparing for summer? 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. The program 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. MBF After-School Safety Matters is an easy-to-implement, practical program that includes materials for youth, staff, volunteers, and parents/guardians. |
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Stay in Touch
The Monique Burr Foundation for Children knows this is uncharted territory for everyone. But we want you to know we are here for you. If you need additional resources, please check our website, you may be looking for something we already have available. If not, please reach out to us at info@mbfpreventioneducation.org or feel free to call 904-642-0210. While our entire team is working 100% remotely, we are here to support you.
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