This new module, available to all at no cost, equips educators, parents, caregivers, and others with the tools to empower young people to stay safe online. The module is designed for kids ages 10–15 and is modeled on the evidence-based Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe core curriculum.
Evidence-based comprehensive child abuse prevention education curriculum.
What is Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe?
Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe (SUBS) is a comprehensive youth-focused program consisting of an evidence-based core curriculum for youth in all grades (Pre-K through 12), evidence-informed supplemental modules, resources, and activities for children and youth.
SUBS helps children and teens learn proactive skills to prevent abuse and other types of interpersonal harm with a focus on:
- minimizing risks
- building resistance skills
- preventing perpetration
- fostering healthy relationships and protective factors
- creating a responsive safety network with peers and safe adults
Why choose Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe?
Features & Benefits:
- Comprehensive Youth Training: Age- and developmentally-appropriate lessons for students in grades Pre-K through 12 address physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, relationship abuse, and online dangers — in a single program.
- Demonstrated Effectiveness: Multiple research studies have demonstrated effectiveness and the program is recognized as “Supported by Research Evidence” (Level-2) by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse
- Based on Research: Content is based on the latest research about what works to prevent abuse and is structured and presented using prevention best-practices.
- Easy to Use: Program facilitators complete a professional training to prepare them to deliver lessons and access scripts, PowerPoints, and other program materials through an online learning management system.
- Current and Relevant: Curriculum lessons, modules, and other program materials are continuously assessed and updated to stay current with research, best practices, and topic needs.
- Adaptable: Program materials can be adapted to effectively educate diverse audiences in various settings while maintaining integrity and fidelity. By offering a library of flexible curricula, modules, and resources for both children and adults, we support schools, organizations, and communities in implementing prevention programs tailored to their specific needs.
- Flexible Implementation Models: Various training, implementation, and partnership models allow schools, organizations, communities, and states options regarding how to best incorporate Childhelp prevention education programs into their prevention initiatives. (link to pdf – Training and Partnership Options)
- Expanded Access: The curriculum and resources are “transcreated” into Spanish, ensuring it resonates culturally with the target audience. It goes beyond direct translation to make content culturally and emotionally appropriate.
- Home – School Connection: Take-home materials are provided for parents/caregivers to foster communication and student modules and activities extend learning beyond the classroom.
- Child – Adult – Community Connection: Schools or organizations using Speak Up Be Safe have the opportunity to also use or promote an aligned adult-focused program as well, Childhelp Connect to Protect Kids. Educating and empowering staff, parents, youth-serving organizations and all adults in the community with a complimentary program using similar language and content will build a stronger safety net for kids.
- Flexible Pricing Options: Our flexible pricing options help ensure our programs are inclusive and accessible for any school or organization seeking high-quality prevention education programs.
Flexible Pricing Options
Our flexible pricing options help ensure our programs are inclusive and accessible for any school or organization that wants high-quality prevention education programs to help better protect the children and youth in their community.
Per-Student Pricing
with Physical Materials
Childhelp’s traditional pricing for Speak Up Be Safe is based on number of students and includes an annual curriculum license, digital curriculum access, online facilitator training, and physical materials shipped for students and schools.
Fixed-Rate Pricing
with Digital Materials
We also offer a cost-effective, flat fee digital option that includes an annual curriculum license, digital curriculum access, online facilitator training, and downloadable / printable materials. Physical materials are available for purchase.
Speak Up Be Safe Program Details
Speak Up Be Safe is delivered by trained facilitators who present engaging and interactive, age-appropriate lessons to youth in grades Pre-K through 12.
Grades Pre-K–2
A primary focus for the earliest age groups is emphasizing that adults are responsible to keep children safe. Students learn basic concepts of personal safety and how to identify safe adults in their lives.
Grades 3–5
Lessons underscore adult responsibility for child safety. Children, equipped with key safety rules, actively contribute to their own safety. They identify safe adults, recognize potential risks, and practice safety rules.
Grades 6–8
Adults remain responsible for child safety, yet lessons recognize students’ increasing responsibilities and privileges. Students learn to recognize potential risks and practice resistance strategies until they can talk to a safe adult.
Grades 9–12
Lessons highlight teens’ growing independence, focusing on ways to recognize unhealthy relationships and unsafe situations. Students learn to prevent abuse, seek help, and broaden their understanding of abusive behavior. Identifying safe adults and peers reinforces a strong safety network.
Meets the mandates and requirements of Jenna Quinn Law and Erin’s Law
Supplemental Modules & Resources
The Speak Up Be Safe program also provides supplemental evidence-informed prevention curriculum modules and additional resources.
Human Trafficking Prevention Curriculum Module
Human trafficking is a growing risk for adolescents and teens. The Human Trafficking Prevention curriculum module closely mirrors the successful learning model of the Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe core curriculum.
The module includes:
- comprehensive facilitator training
- two scripted lessons for each grade, 6–12 (approximately 30 minutes each)
- engaging classroom presentations
- activities that build skills to recognize and resist risks and help youth connect with safe adults
- impactful scenarios and videos
The Human Trafficking module is included with all Speak Up Be Safe subscriptions.
Staying Safe from Online Harm Module
Children and teens face many risks online like sextortion and online exploitation. Informed by renowned experts, the Staying Safe from Online Harm module equips educators, parents, caregivers, and other concerned adults with the tools to empower young people to stay safe online.
The module includes:
- comprehensive facilitator training
- two scripted lessons for youth ages 10–15 (approximately 45 minutes each)
- engaging presentations with embedded videos
- activities that build youth’s skills to recognize grooming and sextortion tactics, talk to safe adults, support peers, and get help
- student and caregiver handouts
- other helpful resources
Thanks to a partnership with Meta, this module is available to anyone at no cost.
Additional resources are available in our Resource Library (link to new Resources page once it’s built) and videos on topics like healthy relationships, personal boundaries, and red flags are available on the Childhelp Prevention YouTube channel.
Speak Up Be Safe Program-Related Videos
Introduction to Speak Up Be Safe
A Dream Job
Measuring the impact of prevention education
The innovative Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe program has evolved over many years into the holistic curriculum it is today.
1
Students reached since its inception
3,200
Facilitators trained since its inception
32
Increase in student reach year over year
Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe
research and results
Thanks to these activities, the CH SUBS core curriculum has been listed as evidence-based since 2021.
Childhelp has worked with the Arizona State University Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (ASU-SIRC) to incorporate evaluation standards, expand the curriculum, and gather efficacy research. This and other research into the impact of effective prevention education programs suggests that many students will be able to identify unsafe situations before abuse happens, while others will be able to recognize what is happening and seek help from their safe adults and the Childhelp National Hotline.
In Arizona: This program is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award (Award #: 90XP0488) totaling $1,000,000 with 100 percent funded by ACF/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACF/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit the ACF website, Administrative and National Policy Requirements.