During the 2006-07 years, Mecklenburg Medical Alliance and Endowment provided Charlotte-Mecklenburg with the opportunity to make our city a safer place for children.
Our health project brought to Charlotte a three-part comprehensive program that provided adults with the information they need to protect their children.
Predators in Your Own Back Yard
“Safeguarding Childhood” began on October 26, with a frank talk about children and predators given by Ed Smart. His daughter, Elizabeth was abducted from her bedroom in June 2002 and miraculously rescued in March 2003. As a father and advocate for radKIDS, Smart addressed the dangers that exist in our communities, schools, and homes, as well as gave us insights on what we can do to protect our children.
radKIDs Training
The second phase of “Safeguarding Childhood” brought the radKIDS (Resist Aggression Defensively) to Charlotte. radKIDS is program that gives children the tools to protect themselves from attackers. Since its inception, radKIDS has prevented more than 25 documented child abductions nationwide. Through radKIDS training, children become empowered, learning to replace the fear, confusion, and panic inherent in dangerous situations with behaviors that can protect them.
Training sessions for adults were conducted in Charlotte in February 2007. Representatives from schools, law enforcement, community groups, churches, etc. participated in the training program. These adult graduates then returned to their respective organizations and trained children and parents in radKIDS techniques. This program is ongoing.
Internet Safety
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper has made internet safety one of his priorities. Cooper served as keynote speaker at a MMAE sponsored learning luncheon, also in February 2007. He highlighted what every parent should know about internet safety and what steps North Carolina is taking to eliminate internet predators.
“Safeguarding Childhood” began on October 26, with a frank talk about children and predators given by Ed Smart. His daughter, Elizabeth was abducted from her bedroom in June 2002 and miraculously rescued in March 2003. As a father and advocate for radKIDS, Smart addressed the dangers that exist in our communities, schools, and homes, as well as gave us insights on what we can do to protect our children.
radKIDs Training
The second phase of “Safeguarding Childhood” brought the radKIDS (Resist Aggression Defensively) to Charlotte. radKIDS is program that gives children the tools to protect themselves from attackers. Since its inception, radKIDS has prevented more than 25 documented child abductions nationwide. Through radKIDS training, children become empowered, learning to replace the fear, confusion, and panic inherent in dangerous situations with behaviors that can protect them.
Training sessions for adults were conducted in Charlotte in February 2007. Representatives from schools, law enforcement, community groups, churches, etc. participated in the training program. These adult graduates then returned to their respective organizations and trained children and parents in radKIDS techniques. This program is ongoing.
Internet Safety
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper has made internet safety one of his priorities. Cooper served as keynote speaker at a MMAE sponsored learning luncheon, also in February 2007. He highlighted what every parent should know about internet safety and what steps North Carolina is taking to eliminate internet predators.
