Prevention education for teens and youth
The program was developed with schools, not for schools,
to make the best use of existing resources and ensure schools
have effective programs that are easy to implement.
What is Teen Safety Matters?
Teen Safety Matters (TSM) is a comprehensive, evidence-based prevention education program for middle and high school students in grades 6-12.
The program educates and empowers teens and all relevant adults with information and strategies to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to bullying, cyberbullying, all types of abuse, relationship abuse, sex trafficking, and digital dangers.
A different course for children is available called Child Safety Matters.
What’s included in Teen Safety Matters?
It can be presented in two or three 45-minute lessons by
trained facilitators in classrooms.
Facilitators present turnkey scripts along with engaging,
interactive PowerPoints including:
- Lecture
- Activities
- Group discussion
- Videos
- Skills-practice activities
- Games
Program topics include the following from these 2 lessons
Lesson 1
Digital Safety
- Cyberbullying
- Digital abuse and safety
- Digital self-awareness
- Digital self-management
- Digital citizenship
Lesson 2
Physical / Emotional Safety
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Relationship abuse
- Bullying
- Sexual abuse
- Sex trafficking
- Sexual assault
All programs are based in evidence and research
Two independent research studies have examined the effectiveness of the program with positive results for both student knowledge gains and facilitator implementation fidelity.
What educators and physicians are saying
“The teachers and I felt like the information presented in the program was developmentally-appropriate and very important for students. I really enjoyed the fact that the safety rules promoted conversation about various types of abuse given that many children are often unaware of the differences between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors (of themselves and others). I believe that having the knowledge of what behaviors are considered red flags will help to protect the students in our corporation from abuse/neglect.”
— High school counselor
“The body safety curriculum, Child and Teen safety Matters being taught by Susie’s place in our school system works! I have been a pediatrician in Hendricks County for 28 years and in the last 2 years I have noticed both my patients and their parents using language from the class. They are talking about safe adults, teaching their kids proper terms for body parts, recognizing red flags. It is pretty amazing to hear them using the terms they learn at school. This is a great program and is helping to keep our kids safe. It is empowering kids and adults to talk about things that have been difficult to discuss in the past.”
— Dr. Christine Bender, Hendricks Pediatrics
Meet our child safety education team
Call: 317-995-7140
Candace Balzano
Education and Outreach Program Manager
Amanda Yarde
Education and Outreach Program Coordinator
Sharon Tufano
Education and Outreach Administrative Coordinator
