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Age-appropriate, research-based safety lessons. Questions? Call Fair Haven's Jennifer Potter at (219) 961-4357. All adults attending must be accompanied by a child. All children must be with an adult.
Think First & Stay Safe™ Overview for Parents
Curriculum Presented by FHRCC’s Trained School Education Advocates
At Fair Haven Rape Crisis Center, it is the goal of the Prevention & Education Department to prevent all forms of child victimization by teaching children, families, professionals, and other community members how to recognize, interrupt and report inappropriate behaviors and situations. Our mission is to help ensure the personal safety of children and youth through increased awareness, education, advocacy and action. The Think First & Stay Safe™ curriculum fulfill SB355’s requirements for child sexual abuse prevention education within the State of Indiana.
By implementing the Think First & Stay Safe™ program created by Child Lures Prevention, our trained School Education Advocates teach students to identify and outsmart the lures that are universally used in predatory crimes against children, most often by someone the child knows. This program allows students to learn essential personal safety skills, improve self-reliance, and raise self-esteem while being consistently reassured that most people are kind, safe, and committed to their well-being.
Think First & Stay Safe™ has been scientifically evaluated and proven to be highly effective in safeguarding youngsters, based on the federally-mandated Principles of Effectiveness. This program also aligns with recommendations set forth by NCMEC's guidelines for personal safety programs, as well as National Health Education Standards. In Indiana, Think First & Stay Safe™ has been approved by the Indiana Department of Education and is included on the Department of Education's list of Evidence-based Prevention Programs. Think First & Stay Safe™ teaches age-appropriate, research-based Cornerstone Lessons that promote child safety.
Please note, the Think First & Stay Safe™ program does not include the word(s) penis, vagina, rape, or sex, and we do not talk about gender and/or pronouns during the presentation. Additionally, we do not have the “sex talk” with students as part of this curriculum.
Think First & Stay Safe™ helps children stay safe from sexual abuse, harassment, abduction, drugs and bullying/cyberbullying. This is accomplished through:
• emphasizing every child's right to live free of abuse,
• promoting healthy social relationships,
• nurturing mutual kindness and respect,
• setting personal and digital boundaries,
• identifying trusted adults,
• teaching age-appropriate Child Lures and practicing proven prevention strategies,
• and upholding a zero tolerance environment in which harassment & abuse are openly discussed and disclosed
The earlier we begin to teach children the basics of healthy social relationships and respecting self and others, the better able we are to stop the cycle of abuse, both by peers and adults. In doing so, we help keep children safe, healthy and ready to learn.
AGE GROUP: | School Age (6-11) |
The Merrillville branch library encompasses over 114,000 sq ft of electronic and print resources, and visual and musical collections. The library offers free WIFI, public internet computers, rooms for quiet study or small groups, and public meeting rooms. Our vast collections of Lake County history and genealogy sources make the Merrillville branch a popular destination for research by visitors from all around the country.
Merrillville branch has three fantastic floors of informational and recreational materials. The main floor contains our popular collection of new books, large-print material, magazines and newspapers, teen, anime, and an enormous selection of music and DVDs. Our Genealogy Room has numerous resources including microfilm of local newspapers, obituary indexes, and many other historical resources. Our Book Sale room, open during select hours Monday-Saturday, is full of unique finds.
The Upper Level includes tables for quiet study, a tremendous reference collection, our “Indiana Room” for specialized Hoosier historical research, and our locally known statue “The Reader” by artist Hermann Gurfinkel.
The entire lower level houses our bright and airy Children's Department where children will find fun games, books, music and magazines to fulfill their reading pleasure as well as attend engaging kids’ programs. This is also where our public meeting rooms are located, where our library events and programs are held.
