My Safety with MOCSA

As caregivers, our goal is to ensure the safety and protection of our children and loved ones at all times. However, there are moments when we may not be present, and it is important for them to be aware of their surroundings and equipped with the knowledge to make the best safety decisions for themselves and others.
Due to the nature of the conversations, we are providing and requiring permission slips to be signed and returned to us. These discussions may provoke new thoughts and feelings that our future leaders will need your support navigating. We encourage you to attend but Drop off is welcome.

MOCSA Mission: MOCSA exists to improve the lives of those impacted by sexual abuse and assault and to prevent sexual violence in our community.

MOCSA is committed to providing diverse, inclusive, equitable, and accessible programming to our school partners. MOCSA’s youth education programming provides age-appropriate discussions, examples, activities, and solutions for each specific presentation topic. MOCSA’s programming also meets the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) guidelines for trauma-informed developmentally appropriate sexual abuse training for grades 6-12.
For more information on the youth education program check out their website.

https://mocsa.org/education-parent-portal/

Info: MOCSA’s elementary education programming can be provided to students ranging from Pre-K to 5th Grade. For grades Kindergarten through 4th Grade, students will receive a program called Project Aware (PA). In Project Aware, students will learn about body safety, safe/unsafe touches, and how to identify safe adults. Students will also watch an age-appropriate video that supports the lesson as well as receive a coloring/activity book which includes language for adults and students to discuss what they learned at home.

Info: 5th grade students will receive what is called Project Aware: Sexual Harassment (PASH). In Project Aware: Sexual Harassment, students will learn the definition of sexual harassment, boundaries, how to respond to sexual harassment and support others, and how to identify safe adults. Project Aware: Sexual Harassment defines sexual harassment as “any unwanted behavior that is sexual in nature, which includes harming someone based on their body, their gender, or their sexual orientation.” This lesson is conversation-based so that MOCSA educators will provide definitions but students can participate and share their own perspectives, experiences, ideas, questions, etc. Students will also learn how to identify safe adults and learn about resources that are available to them. The middle school topics that can be offered are Sexual Harassment and Healthy Relationships.

Info: In the Gender and Violence presentation, students will learn the definition of stereotypes, where we learn stereotypes, and discuss the intersection of gender stereotypes and sexual violence. The Safety in Relationships presentation primarily focuses on dating relationships and examples of a healthy/unhealthy dating relationship. Students will also discuss why leaving a harmful dating relationship can be so difficult and how to support someone who needs help. The Sexual Assault and Consent presentation is an introductory presentation about sexual assault, the definition of consent, laws of consent, and how to support someone who may have experienced sexual violence. This program specifically meets DESE’s requirements and guidelines for trauma informed and developmentally appropriate sexual abuse training for grades 6-12.

Host or Publisher R. Wellness