Montana Partners With Barbara Sinatra Foundation to Bring Child Safety Education to Schools Statewide

HELENA, MT — The Montana Office of Public Instruction has partnered with the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation to provide free educational materials focused on student safety, mental health, and human trafficking prevention to schools across the state.

The partnership brings nationally recognized resources to Montana classrooms that address critical issues including safe touch education, personal boundaries, and social-emotional health. The materials include age-appropriate video lessons, student worksheets, coloring sheets, and comprehensive teacher guides.

The curriculum is structured by age group, with specific lessons for grades K-3, 4-6, and teens. The elementary program includes six core lessons: Introduction, Shout Run Tell, Safe Touch/Unsafe Touch, Neighbor, A Friendly Stranger, and Recognize the Signs. Teachers also receive training materials to help them identify signs and symptoms of abuse in their students.

“Partnering with the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation is an important step in ensuring Montana students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to stay safe and healthy,” said Superintendent Susie Hedalen. “These materials help address crucial topics like mental health, personal boundaries, and human trafficking prevention, giving students the confidence to make safe decisions and empowering teachers to provide meaningful guidance in the classroom.”

The Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation, established in 1986 by Barbara and Frank Sinatra, operates from the Eisenhower Medical Center campus in Rancho Mirage, California. The organization provides individual, group, and family therapy for children who have suffered abuse or neglect, serving approximately 700 youngsters annually on an outpatient basis.

More than 80 percent of children counseled by the center come from families below the national poverty line, and no child is ever turned away due to inability to pay. The center’s mission focuses on ensuring every child’s right to a normal, healthy, and secure childhood.

“We are pleased to partner with Superintendent Hedalen and Montana schools to provide our resources to teachers and school counselors to help bring awareness and tools for child protection,” said John E. Thoresen, CEO of the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation. “The www.fightchildabuse.org website can be accessed by all to find additional material to equip parents and children with resources to help ensure every child’s right to a normal, healthy and secure childhood.”

The educational materials will be integrated into Montana’s existing student support framework through professional development opportunities and family outreach programs throughout the school year. Montana educators and administrators can access the resources and training through the OPI website.

This partnership represents the latest in a series of student safety initiatives under Hedalen’s leadership. Earlier this year, OPI launched a defibrillator grant program providing $700 grants to help schools purchase life-saving equipment.

The collaboration underscores Montana’s commitment to comprehensive student safety, addressing both physical and emotional well-being in educational settings. OPI will work with the foundation throughout the school year to further integrate these resources into professional development and educator outreach programs.

Montana schools interested in implementing the materials can find more information at the OPI’s Human Trafficking & Sexual Abuse website.