Administrators of JCFS Chicago’s S.M.A.R.T. Kids abuse prevention program have been receiving positive feedback since implementing the initiative last February. The S.M.A.R.T. Kids curriculum teaches children from kindergarten to fourth grade important safety information through videos and interactive discussions.

After teaching the program to nearly 500 kids at a Chicago-area Jewish Orthodox elementary school this fall, Abuse Prevention Coordinator and Mental Health Educator Bracha Jakofsky and Director of Jewish Community Engagement Elizabeth Ury received a note from the principal that read, “Thank you for all your effort to make your important presentation so appropriate and so meaningful for our students.”

“We take a lot of pride in delivering a professional program, in a way that makes all feel comfortable discussing a delicate topic such as this one. We ensured that the school was getting what they needed through customization of the curriculum.” Bracha said. “

At another school, a teacher approached Bracha to tell her that her daughter had used what she learned through S.M.A.R.T. Kids last yea when she got lost on the playground. She looked for a Safe Adult to help her, as remembered from the program.

Find more information about JCFS’ Abuse Prevention programs here. To implement S.M.A.R.T. Kids at your school, contact Bracha Jakofsky.