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. It is presented to youth in grade-level clusters (K-2, 3-5, and 6-8) with 6 topic-specific lessons (30 – 60 minutes each) by trained facilitators using a turnkey script. The lessons include lectures, group discussions, skills-practice activities, games, and crafts.
Program Features and Benefits:
- Evidence-informed
- Easy and practical for clubs/programs to implement
- Fun and developmentally appropriate for youth
- Based on polyvictimization research
- Provides universal strategies to better protect children, including easy-to-remember MBF 5 Safety Rules
- Educates children, staff, volunteers, and parents
- Provides practice and reinforcement of learned skills
- Created, reviewed, and supported by experts
- Trusted by parents and other adults
Program Topics
Lesson 1: The MBF 5 Safety Rules
Lesson 2: Bullying
Lesson 3: Cyberbullying
Lesson 4: Abuse
Lesson 5: Digital Safety
Lesson 6: Digital Citizenship
Reinforcement Materials
Additional reinforcement materials for parents, classrooms, and schools are also available.
FOR FACILITATORS/ORGANIZATIONS
- Online Facilitator Training
- Printed Curriculum Kit with lesson scripts, visual cards, and activities
- One Safety Rules Poster is included
- Additional materials and reinforcements available on the Facilitator Portal
FOR YOUTH
- Six lessons for youth in grade-level clusters K-2, 3-5, and 6-8
- Fun and engaging activities complement the lessons
FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS/SAFE ADULTS
- Parent Opt-Out Forms
- Parent Information Sheets
- Online Parent Training
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Information and resources for parents/guardians, staff, volunteers, and other interested community members are available on the MBF website, wwwstaging.mbfpreventioneducation.org.
A mobile app, “Child Safety Matters,” is available at no cost from the App Store or Google Play and teaches parents and professionals how to better protect youth.