Help to reduce silence and isolation.
Be that person students reach out to for support.
You care about the kids in your class – and they know it.
Ask if something seems wrong. As a trusted adult in their lives, you are someone they can confide in.
Help foster a sense of community at your school.
Are there school-wide activities that can help kids get to know students from other grades and teachers other than their own? Build your student’s connection to the larger school community.
Explore Resources
Promote, advocate for, and support the success of Family Resource Centers in your school district.
Find out more about Family Resource Centers here, as well as the other four Family First Community Pathway Sites.
Learn about how trauma-informed care can help children in your school.
First 5 Humboldt offers resources and trainings on trauma-informed care for schools.
Gain confidence in knowing what to do when you are concerned about a child.
Use the Child Protection Reporting Guide (CPRG) to determine if your concern rises to a level that requires a response from Child Welfare Services. Once you are in the CPRG scroll down and click the “GET STARTED” button. If the CPRG determines that no response by Child Welfare Services is needed you will find links to two resource documents, the Humboldt Community Resource List and the North Coast Resource Hub, on the right hand side bar. Both of these links list multiple services that could support the family you have concerns about.
Since many cases are not investigated and neglect is even more common than physical abuse, your efforts to connect families with resources can go a long way. Parents can benefit greatly from your referrals to agencies that can address the area of concern.
Don’t be afraid to discuss hard topics.
Bullying, mental health, depression, abuse, and stress aren’t easy subjects, but they can open doors to valuable conversations. If you’re concerned about your students and suicide, Never a Bother is a helpful resource as is Humboldt County’s Suicide Prevention Program.
Watch the documentary Resilience and be reminded of your powerful role in kids’ lives.
Share Family First – CAPCC on Facebook and spread the word that there are ways to get involved.
What Can Your School Do?
Partner with organizations with expertise.
Invite Humboldt Domestic Violence Services, North Coast Rape Crisis Services, Healthy Communities, or any of the organizations listed at Partnership HealthPlan of California to offer education in abuse prevention and healthy relationships.
Help create a safe school environment.
Offer curriculum like Speak Up Be Safe or Love is Respect to prevent bullying, abuse, and relationship violence among kids and teens.
Resources for Educators
