Monroe City School System partners with local organization to implement curriculum focused on child safety

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - The Center for Children and Families is partnering with the Monroe City School System to implement curriculum promoting safe and healthy environments for children.

According to the Center for Children and Families, Childhelp is an evidence-based curriculum meant to educate and empower children in school to recognize unsafe situations and communicate effectively with trusted adults.

Childhelp is tailored across every grade to meet the developmental needs of children, and it uses interactive lessons to facilitate age-appropriate learning and engagement.

The California Evidence-Based Clearingouse for Child Welfare (CEBC) recognizes Childhelp as an effective curriculum, making it a trusted tool in preventing child abuse.

"We believe every child deserves to feel safe and supported," said Stalanda Butcher, Chief Advocacy Officerof The Center for Children & Families. "This program empowers children to understand the importance of safety and provides them with the knowledge to navigate difficult situations while knowing they have trusted adults to rely on."

Some key highlights of Childhelp curriculum include:

• Evidence-based and supported by research on child development, learning styles, socialpsychology and child abuse prevention

• Two interactive lessons per grade level, designed to be engaging and accessible for children of all ages

• Comprehensive, self-paced facilitator training, including certification upon completion

• Consent forms and lesson reviews for parents and caregivers to ensure family involvement

The program emphasizes that child safety is an adult's responsibility, evolving into a shared responsibility between adults and adolescents in the high school curriculum.

"The Center for Children and Families has made an extraordinary impact on our community by equipping Monroe City School children with essential safety knowledge," said Dr. Brian Bush, director of Child Welfare and Attendance for Monroe City Schools. "Their dedication to teaching safety rules to our youngest students up to 2nd grade ensures that our children not only learn critical life skills but also grow up with a greater sense of security and confidence. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to our children's well-being and education."