Empowering Children to Protect Themselves
WHO's Mission
We are committed to empowering children to stay safe and happy and make good decisions based on knowledge and a strong internal value system – educating them to know what to do and who to tell in dangerous situations.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Anne Beckman at abeckman@mhadallas.org.
The message of WHO is simple
KNOW
Recognize potentially dangerous situations; learn and practice personal safety rules to help avoid risk.
DO
Have a plan of action; think ahead about what to do in a scary, dangerous, or uncomfortable situation.
TELL
Ask someone you trust for help; it’s important to tell someone about situations that are uncomfortable.
Empowering Children to Protect Themselves
The WHO Program has been adopted by public school systems, private schools, organizations and religious groups all over the United States. Curriculum spans from pre-school – 5th grade, encouraging learning through age-appropriate videos, discussion topics, situational problem solving and follow-up activities.
WHO was developed by Mental Health America of Greater Dallas (MHA Dallas) in 1981. It was designed to prevent the likelihood of child victimization by building children’s ability to analyze strange or dangerous situations. WHO is a series of research-based curricula that are formed on sensitive, non-threatening content and methodology. WHO Training prepares school counselors, child advocates, nurses, teachers, case workers and volunteers to present WHO in classroom settings for Kindergarten – 5th Grade. Follow-up materials and evaluation instruments are also included in the WHO Program materials.
Why WHO?
The WHO Program is designed to provide developmental and academic guidance for all students and to meet the Texas education requirements codified by the 77th Legislature through the passage of SB 518 and SB 158.
Where is WHO?
The program is currently being used in school districts and organizations across Texas.
How Does WHO Help?
WHO presentations allow learning in a fun, interesting, and non-threatening manner with age- tiered curricula through:
- Use of video and puppets (K – 2nd Grade)
- Classroom discussions led by trained facilitators in settings of 15 to 30 children
- Use of follow-up materials to reinforce the learning techniques for personal safety
Benefits for Children & Teens
With the WHO Program, children and teenagers learn:
- To develop appropriate decision-making and communication skills
- To see themselves as capable, worthy human beings who do not deserve abuse of any kind
- To understand they are not to blame should they experience victimization
- To adopt courage, respect, confidence and tolerance as they interact with peers and adults
The WHO program training is a one-hour overview to introduce the portal and curriculum. There are three different training modules within the portal to help you navigate the program as needed.
- In-Person is available for groups at the district designated place. Individual trainings will be done through Microsoft Teams unless otherwise needed.
- Follow-up virtual meetings are available through Microsoft Teams.
- Emails and phone calls with questions are always welcome.
For questions, please contact Anne Beckman at abeckman@mhadallas.org.