(Atlantic, Iowa) — Cass County Community Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee reports the Atlantic, CAM, and Griswold School Districts are coming together to take a proactive stance in safeguarding the well-being of their students Jan. 15th-and 16th, in grades 3-through 12 school assemblies and staff development training, with Hope for Justice and Iowa Law Enforcement.

School districts determine which grades will receive this programming based on their specific preferences and priorities. The county-wide initiative reflects a shared commitment to educating young people about staying safe in both digital and physical environments.

The program is tailored to meet the developmental needs of elementary students (3rd-5th grade) in each age group. The program focuses on online safety, recognizing safe relationships, managing peer pressure, and understanding social media tips. Upper-grade students (6th-12th) will learn about the dangers of sharing information online, the basics of human trafficking, how to report suspicious activity, recognizing traffickers’ tactics, and practicing comprehensive online safety.

Sessions will be led by trained professionals from Hope for Justice, an organization specializing in human trafficking prevention and education and Iowa Law Enforcement. Staff members across all districts will also receive training to reinforce the program’s goals, ensuring students receive consistent support.

Parent Resources: Parents play a critical role in reinforcing these safety measures at home. Following the student programming, parents will be provided with educational materials and access to a free online tools. This ensures that families have the information they need to continue the conversation about safety and awareness.

Community Impact: By offering this program county-wide, Cass County schools aim to create a unified and safer community. The collaboration between districts highlights a shared vision to protect students from potential threats and empower them to make informed decisions in today’s increasingly digital world. Chief Deputy for The Cass County Sheriff’s Department stated, “As members of this community, we care deeply about the safety of our youth. Partnering with our local school districts allows us to work together to address many important issues, to include online safety. We’re committed to helping our kids stay safe while navigating not only the real world but also the digital world.”

Hope for Justice is a global organization committed to ending human trafficking and modern slavery. They identify and rescue victims through collaboration with law enforcement, provide comprehensive aftercare services to support survivors, and educate communities to prevent exploitation. Additionally, they train professionals to recognize signs of trafficking and advocate for systemic change with governments and businesses.

Operating in several countries, including the USA, UK, and Uganda, their multidisciplinary team works to prevent exploitation, restore lives, and drive societal reform. For more information about the Hope for Justice organization, please visit their website at https://hopeforjustice.org/what-we-do/.

Devon Greiter an Investigator from Hope for Justice says “Hope for Justice has worked with area principals to ensure youth have access to information about how to stay safe online and that youth and their families know what to do and who to contact should they encounter a situation that they deem unsafe. Educating youth on internet safety, online exploitation, and human trafficking in an age-appropriate way, can make it more difficult for predators to conduct their recruitment online and could prevent a child from being targeted.”