Smiles for Safety: Child Welfare Dental Initiative
Partner with pediatric dental clinics and schools to deliver free dental hygiene screenings, toothbrush kits, and education to children in at-risk communities. This project raises awareness about the connection between neglect and poor oral health—often one of the earliest signs of abuse. Dental professionals will be trained to recognize indicators of maltreatment and safely report concerns.
Seeing the Unseen: Bias, Cultural Competency & Microaggressions in Child Welfare
Offer immersive workshops and panel discussions for professionals working with children—social workers, educators, clinicians—on recognizing and addressing implicit bias, systemic racism, cultural misunderstandings, and microaggressions in reporting, placement, and service delivery. Includes real-life case scenarios, role-playing, and anti-racist frameworks to ensure equitable outcomes for marginalized youth.
Our Projects
Mandated Reporter Training Initiative
Deliver in-person and virtual workshops to educators, childcare workers, and youth-serving professionals across New Jersey, teaching them how to identify and report child abuse and neglect. Includes certification, case studies, and interactive legal scenarios.
SafeSchools Curriculum Project
Develop a trauma-informed curriculum to be implemented in K–12 classrooms that promotes empathy, safety, conflict resolution, and protective behaviors. Piloted in select school districts, this program includes lesson plans, teacher training, and student materials.
Trauma Toolbox for Educators
Create and distribute physical and digital toolkits for teachers with resources on managing trauma-related behaviors in the classroom. Each kit includes calming strategies, referral templates, and access to live support from behavioral consultants.
Steps Towards Success Scholarship Fund
Award $500–$2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors and undergraduates in underserved communities pursuing careers in social work, education, or child advocacy. Recipients will be highlighted during an annual awards celebration.
Child Advocacy Training for High School Students
Launch a leadership program for high school juniors and seniors interested in advocacy and human services. Students complete a 6-week course and community project to earn a SafeSteps Youth Advocate Certificate.
Annual SafeSteps Child Welfare Summit
Convene educators, advocates, and policymakers for a full-day conference featuring workshops, panels, and networking opportunities focused on protecting vulnerable children. Offers CEUs for social workers and educators.
Smiles for Safety: Child Welfare Dental Initiative
Partner with pediatric dental clinics and schools to deliver free dental hygiene screenings, toothbrush kits, and education to children in at-risk communities. This project raises awareness about the connection between neglect and poor oral health—often one of the earliest signs of abuse. Dental professionals will be trained to recognize indicators of maltreatment and safely report concerns.
Seeing the Unseen: Bias, Cultural Competency & Microaggressions in Child Welfare
Offer immersive workshops and panel discussions for professionals working with children—social workers, educators, clinicians—on recognizing and addressing implicit bias, systemic racism, cultural misunderstandings, and microaggressions in reporting, placement, and service delivery. Includes real-life case scenarios, role-playing, and anti-racist frameworks to ensure equitable outcomes for marginalized youth.
Our Programs
Mandated Reporter Training Initiative
Deliver in-person and virtual workshops to educators, childcare workers, and youth-serving professionals across New Jersey, teaching them how to identify and report child abuse and neglect. Includes certification, case studies, and interactive legal scenarios.
SafeSchools Curriculum Project
Develop a trauma-informed curriculum to be implemented in K–12 classrooms that promotes empathy, safety, conflict resolution, and protective behaviors. Piloted in select school districts, this program includes lesson plans, teacher training, and student materials.
Trauma Toolbox for Educators
Create and distribute physical and digital toolkits for teachers with resources on managing trauma-related behaviors in the classroom. Each kit includes calming strategies, referral templates, and access to live support from behavioral consultants.
Steps Towards Success Scholarship Fund
Award $500–$2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors and undergraduates in underserved communities pursuing careers in social work, education, or child advocacy. Recipients will be highlighted during an annual awards celebration.
Child Advocacy Training for High School Students
Launch a leadership program for high school juniors and seniors interested in advocacy and human services. Students complete a 6-week course and community project to earn a SafeSteps Youth Advocate Certificate.
Annual SafeSteps Child Welfare Summit
Convene educators, advocates, and policymakers for a full-day conference featuring workshops, panels, and networking opportunities focused on protecting vulnerable children. Offers CEUs for social workers and educators.
