It's that time of the year again - back to the hustle and bustle of the school year. New notebooks, sharp pencils, and backpacks stuffed with supplies. As we watch our children leave the comfort of home, we all wish we could put something else in that backpack - safety & protection. In a way, you can. Ask educators and those who watch your child before and after school, from daycare to coaches to youth serving agencies, about their policies to keep your child safe. It's important to ask: "How do you protect my child from sexual predators?" - but if you're not comfortable starting there, ease into the conversation with: "What are your screening policies for hiring staff?  How do you handle situations when one of your staff is accused of abuse? What are your procedures for contacting authorities? What training do you offer to staff to heighten awareness and educate about child abuse?"

Click here for contact information for the Massachusetts DCF.

Click here to read the Children's Trust Fund's manual: Designing and Implementing a School Reporting Protocol.