The name pretty much says it all. Kidpower.

Linda Coplin, outreach and community coordinator for Davie Domestic Violence Prevention and Rape Crisis Center, spent a week in San Francisco recently to become certified in teaching the Kidpower curriculum.

In today’s troubled times, more than ever, all children need to know that they can turn to and trust an adult for help.

As part of September’s Child Protection Advocacy Month, Kidpower International, an internationally-recognized children’s advocate and safety organization, is sharing four important steps plus free resources that can make a lasting difference in a child’s life and help to transform the fear of bullying, violence, and abuse into a future of lifelong safety and success for today’s youth.

“Too many kids suffer from harm that could have been prevented,” said Kidpower International’s founder and executive director, Irene van der Zande. “And too often, they feel miserable and alone.

“Our goal is to motivate every adult – parent, family member, teacher, mentor, safety officer, neighbor, everyone – to make sure that the children and teens in their lives can count on them for help.”

International Child Protection Advocacy Month is about staying involved in the lives of children and teens. For example, according to a US National Center for Educational Statistics 2016 report, more than one out of every five students reported being bullied.

“In our overly-busy lives, if we get distracted and don’t pay attention, we leave kids who are struggling with bullying, abuse, or other problems in limbo,” van der Zande says.

“Remember that adult leadership is essential to keeping our kids safe. When a child or teen asks to speak to you, put away your technology. Then: Stop. Listen. Notice. Acknowledge their thoughts and feelings. And take action.”

To learn more about International Child Protection Advocacy Month, the 4 Important Steps and free resources to quickly make a difference in a child’s life, visit Kidpower.org/child-protection-advocacy/.