The Prevention Department at the Northern Michigan Alliance for Children works to strengthen families, empower children, and build safer, more connected communities— before harm occurs. Through education, outreach, and collaborative partnerships, we focus on reducing risk factors, increasing protective factors, and promoting healthy relationships and communication. Our prevention efforts are rooted in the belief that informed, supported communities are essential to protecting our children. Our work is driven by our commitment to keeping children safe, empowered, and thriving. 

PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Monique Burr Foundation - Child Safety Matters

The Monique Burr Foundation Child Safety Matters is an evidence-based prevention curriculum that empowers children and their trusted adults with skills to recognize, prevent, and respond to bullying, digital dangers, and all forms of child abuse. Through age-appropriate lessons centered on the MBF 5 Safety Rules, students build confidence, communication skills, and knowledge to stay safe and seek help. The program also engages caregivers, encouraging ongoing safety conversations at home.

Currently, our trained facilitators in the Prevention Department deliver this curriculum in every 1st and 3rd grade classroom across the five districts of Clare, Harrison, Gladwin, Beaverton, and Farwell, ensuring consistent, early prevention education throughout our region.

To learn more about the Monique Burr Foundation and the curriculum, visit www.mbfpreventioneducation.org.

Car Seat Intake

The Northern Michigan Alliance for Children offers a Car Seat Check Program to help ensure children are traveling safely. Trained Child Passenger Safety Technicians are available to educate caregivers on car seat safety, check proper installation, and confirm that each child is correctly secured for their age and size. Car seats are also provided to qualifying families, helping reduce barriers to safe transportation. This program supports caregivers with knowledge, confidence, and access to lifesaving resources.

To schedule a car seat check appointment, fill out this form.

Trauma Awareness Steering Committee

The Trauma Awareness Steering Committee (TASC) is a group of professionals in Clare and Gladwin Counties that was created to build a resilient, trauma-informed community with a zero-tolerance policy for violence to ensure our counties are a safe place to live, learn, and flourish. The team is made up of representatives from the local child advocacy center, local schools, mental health, law enforcement, and more. Our mission is to limit the long-term effects of trauma, to engage the community by spreading awareness, encouraging resilience, strengthening social support networks, as well as providing prevention education and intervention.

Community Outreach

We work closely with an array of community partners to develop programs, host events, and provide meaningful resources to the families and communities we serve. These partnerships strengthen our collective impact and help ensure prevention efforts are responsive, accessible, and rooted in local needs. We are always open to building new community connections, and welcome outreach from community partners, organizations, or individuals interested in collaboration—please reach out to our department to start a conversation!

Handle With Care

The Handle With Care (HWC) program promotes safe and supportive homes, schools, and communities that protect children and help traumatized children heal and thrive. HWC promotes school-community partnerships aimed at ensuring that children receive appropriate interventions to help them achieve academically at their highest levels despite whatever traumatic circumstances they may have endured. HWC programs support children exposed to trauma and violence through improved communication and collaboration between law enforcement, schools, and mental health providers, and connects families, schools, and communities to mental health services.