Safety Programs for Kids
KARE offers essential school-based personal safety programs to local schools. These programs empower children and equip our community with the knowledge and resources needed to promote safety and well-being. Our school-based safety initiatives have been central to our mission, shaping KARE into the impactful organization we are today. Keep reading to discover more about our curriculum, additional resources, and how you can help!
Programs We Offer
KARE currently offers two essential programs for elementary school-aged children: Internet Safety for grades 3-5 and Body Safety for grades K-5. Through engaging videos, discussions, activities, and other evidence-based best practices, we empower kids to protect themselves, providing them with the necessary tools to stay safe. Our curriculum covers the following topics:
Personal Safety
This program helps children understand how to protect their bodies and equips them with the tools and language they need to do so. Your child will learn about:
- Safe, Unsafe, and Confusing Touch: Understanding different types of touch.
- Secrets vs. Surprises: When it’s okay to keep a secret and when to tell.
- Three Safety Tips: What to do if someone violates safety rules.
- Trusted Adults: Who they are and the importance of telling them if safety rules are broken.
- Private Parts: Recognizing that private parts are covered by a bathing suit and should not be shared. Exceptions include valid reasons like a doctor’s visit or parental care, and it should never be kept a secret.
Internet Safety
This program equips children with the tools they need to stay safe online while fostering responsible digital citizenship. Your child will learn about:
- Cyberbullying: Understanding what it is, how to respond if it happens to them, and how to support a friend who may be experiencing it.
- Video Game and Social Media Safety: Exploring the benefits and risks of online platforms and learning how to set healthy boundaries for safe use.
- What Information is Safe to Share Online?: Helping children recognize the difference between public and private information, and why it’s essential to protect personal details.
- Trusted Adults: Identifying trusted individuals they can turn to for help if something online makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
A Quick Note
Our training sessions have been continually adapted to address the evolving needs of students and cultural shifts while always remaining developmentally and age-appropriate. Our primary goal is to empower students to take ownership of their own safety and wellbeing, ensuring they are protected and prepared for the future.
Our team of experienced facilitators are trauma-informed and seasoned educators, dedicated to offering the highest quality support and education for our children. By partnering with us, you can help create a safer, brighter future for all of Haywood County’s children.
We understand the sensitive nature of these topics and approach them delicately, with clarity, conciseness, and developmental appropriateness.
Our curriculum does NOT include:
- Sex education
- Political or ideological agendas
- Gender identity or sexual orientation
- Detailed anatomy lessons
- Graphic abuse stories
Our classes focus on personal boundaries and safety, teaching children to recognize inappropriate behavior and communicate with trusted adults if they feel unsafe. We cover basic concepts like the meaning of “private parts” and their boundaries, but we do not provide detailed anatomical education.
Sample video: Coming Soon!
Note: Due to licensing, we can’t share program videos online. However, you’re welcome to preview them at KARE. These 10-minute videos align with the sample lesson and cover no additional content.
3 Reasons We Teach Safety Classes
Ways You Can Help
Everyone has a role to play in preventing child abuse. Your impact starts with the knowledge of how you can help.
Give Your Permission: Caregiver/parental permission is required for students to take part in these special trainings. Schools send home permission forms, but you can also give permission by email or Remind.
Learn and Grow Together: By discussing safety topics with your children at home, you can help reinforce what they learn in the trainings.
Advocate for KARE: Talk to your local school board, administration, elected officials, PTA, teachers, and other parents. Help us spread the word about the importance of these programs being in schools and made available to ALL children in Haywood County.
Be a Trusted Adult: For more information on how to be a trusted adult, check out this helpful resource.
Educate Yourself: KARE offers trainings for adults and organizations to support our school programs. Contact Lauren at llanoue@karehouse.org for more information on what trainings are currently available!
Thank you for your support and partnership in ensuring children’s safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides these safety programs?
These safety classes are provided at no cost by KARE. KARE is the dedicated and fully accredited children’s advocacy center (CAC) serving Haywood County. KARE is committed to facilitating a community response to child abuse, neglect, and exploitation in Haywood County through outreach, advocacy, and specialized interventions. You can read more about KARE at www.karehouse.org.
Our team of experienced facilitators are trauma-informed and seasoned educators, dedicated to offering the highest quality support and education for our children. By partnering with us, you can help create a safer, brighter future for all of Haywood County’s children.
What age group is this program designed for?
Our internet safety program is available for grades 3-5. Our personal safety program is available for grades K-5. Curriculum is age-appropriate based on grade level.
When and how are the trainings conducted?
These trainings usually occur during a child’s normal Guidance time at school. There is no disruption to the school day and routine. The guidance counselor remains in the classroom for extra support while KARE’s experienced facilitators lead the training.
How do you ensure the content is appropriate for children?
Over the years, we have gone through a rigorous process, consulting with teachers, parents, and school administration to ensure that all materials and topics are safe and developmentally appropriate. We use research-based materials and videos to ensure that our curriculum is such. We recognize, however, that each child is unique. Therefore, if you are still concerned, we encourage you to call our office at 828-456-8995 or email Lauren at LLanoue@karehouse.org for more information and to schedule a time to preview the videos and materials.
Can parents preview the training materials?
YES! In fact, we encourage it! If you would like to preview the videos that we use, you can schedule a time to do so in our Waynesville office by contacting Lauren (llanoue@karehouse.org) or Abby (abearden@karehouse.org). Unfortunately, we cannot share videos publicly as they require a special license, but you can preview them in our office.
Are these trainings mandatory for all students?
Although we encourage all students to participate, our programs are not a school requirement. Furthermore, both training programs require parental/caregiver consent.
How do you protect my child's privacy during these sessions?
We highly respect children’s privacy and hold a high level of confidentiality with what they tell us. We begin each lesson with the understanding that we are not to share personal stories during the lessons. If children have concerns or want to speak with us afterwards, we make sure they have a quiet, private space to do so with one of our trained staff facilitators and, ideally, the school’s guidance counselor. These conversations are kept confidential unless we find a report needs to be made to the authorities and/or parents.
What should I do if my child feels uncomfortable with the training?
Listen to their concerns and validate their feelings. Talk to them about the importance of these topics, and reassure them that they are safe.
Much like fire drills, we are teaching them about body and internet safety JUST IN CASE something ever happens. We assure them in the training that this is not something that happens all the time, but it is important to be prepared just in case. Also, just like fire drills, we need to practice which is why we offer these classes every year–for repetition.
If students are still unsure, here are some other things to consider:
- Have the student talk with their school counselor.
- Arrange a time to meet the KARE instructors ahead of time or to preview the materials.
- Show them some books and resources covering the same topic in age-appropriate ways so that they become more familiar with the topics being covered.
- Be sure to follow up after the lesson to check up on them and see how it went.
How can I reinforce these teachings at home?
One of the best ways to reinforce these teachings at home is to talk openly about the topics we cover with your child. We send home papers with each student outlining what we discussed and some information on how to be a trusted adult. Ask them what they learned and talk them through the key points. Casual reminders only help. For example, you could ask them, “What do we do if someone is trying to hurt our body?” (Say no. Get away. Tell a trusted adult.)
What is the overall goal of these trainings?
The overall goal of this training is to prevent abuse and exploitation or to stop it from happening if it is currently happening. It is mainly preventative, helping students know what to do in these dangerous situations. By empowering children with training and tools, we can prevent abuse and foster a safe community.
What do I do if my child discloses abuse/sexual abuse to me?
REPORT IT to HCHHS (DSS) and your local law enforcement. Visit this page for more info. In North Carolina, any adult over the age of 18 is a mandated reporter meaning you MUST report any disclosures of abuse or suspected abuse of minors. It does not matter who it is. We must protect innocent lives
What do I do if my child's friend discloses abuse/sexual abuse to me?
REPORT IT to HCHHS (DSS) and your local law enforcement. Visit this page for more info. In North Carolina, any adult over the age of 18 is a mandated reporter meaning you MUST report any disclosures of abuse or suspected abuse of minors. It does not matter who it is. We must protect innocent lives
How can I provide feedback or get involved with KARE?
For more information, questions, comments, or to find out how you can get involved, contact Lauren Lanoue at LLanoue@karehouse.org or call us at 828-456-8995.
Contact Information
Looking for more information or want to get more involved?
Call us at 828-456-8995 or email Lauren at LLanoue@karehouse.org
