Posted on 02/24/17
The Magen Yeladim Safety Kids program is beginning our second year in the school system. This comprehensive child abuse prevention program is dedicated to working with schools, administrators, families and students, ensuring that children are trained in age-appropriate ways to handle situations that could be dangerous.
It has been almost three years since the idea of bringing the Magen Yeladim Safety Kid program to Baltimore was planted and almost a year since the Baltimore community took a significant step by welcoming Mrs. Debbie Fox and her team to town. Partnering with CHANA, professionals from Jewish Community Services, local mental health professionals, schools, rabbonim, and with support from the Macks Center for Jewish Education (CJE) and the Crane Foundation child abuse prevention was addressed in a comprehensive manner. The model is built to create alliances between school staff and administration with parents, professionals, and the children themselves. A common language of safety is shared by all to empower everyone to prevent child sexual abuse and be better equipped to handle such disclosures.
On Monday February 20, CHANA, a program of The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, the local Safety Kid liaison, had the opportunity to expand the Baltimore Safety Kid team. Seven additional volunteers, both parents and staff from four of our locals, took the day to be trained in the Safety Kid program. Shmuel Fischler from CHANA coordinated the day and enlisted the help of Rabbi Norman Lowenthal from the Talmudical Academy (TA) and previously trained volunteers Mrs. Shoshana Krupp and Mrs. Ruchoma Skurnik. Over the next few weeks this dedicated group will be observing the curriculum being taught in TA classrooms and then will be observed as they themselves step into the role of Safety Kid educators. Thanks to this group the robust team of Safety Kid volunteers is better prepared to share this invaluable program annually in Baltimore. The community is fortunate to have those committed to such work.
We encourage you to continue having conversations with each other and your families about safety both in and out of your homes. Creating the room and permission to discuss these topics is vital for any prevention and future intervention. Your children and the entire community is grateful for your continued support.
If you are curious as to your child’s school particular experience and participation, please be in touch with them.