The Need – All Kids Count

the need:

In a Pew Study, 89% of online solicitations to children took place in chat environments or by instant messaging. One in five kids who visit social media have been approached by internet predators.

The Urban Institute reports 17% of students reported being victims of cyberbullying. According to the American Association of Suicidology, suicide rates among ten to fourteen year old’s has increased 50% over the last three decades, and the Yale School of Medicine reviewed research from 13 countries and concluded there is a direct link between bullying and suicide.

In 2023, there were 375,304 entries for missing children under theage of 18 into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center. They were taken by family and non-family members, or were victims of the most serious crimes, known as “stereotypical kidnappings.”

Over the past 20 years, school violence has shown no detectable decrease. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are 98,817 public schools. Of these, 86% reported “incidents” taking place, 71% classified as violent.

Following the Columbine tragedy, the U.S. Department of Education and Secret Service partnered to create the Safe Schools Initiative, to educate school personnel and parents on preventing targeted school violence. However, that education has never been delivered to student populations, where problems first surface. The purpose of the “All Kids Count” School Violence Prevention program is to meet that critical need.

sample acknowledgments:

Our opinion of the curriculum concurs with many, that AKC can have a great impact on society and meet its stated goal of, ‘helping to save lives and prevent human tragedy.’

- American Association of School Administrators

“We congratulate all of those involved for successfully producing an effective and proactive program.”

- National Sheriffs’ Association

“It is our opinion that All Kids Count is of great national importance, and in a proactive manner supports child-safety and the prevention of school violence.”

– National Education Association/Health Information Network

“Please accept our thanks for your initiative and your compassion in endeavoring to help children and families develop awareness and safe habits at this time of increasing depersonalization in our society.”

– National School Boards Association

“We appreciate this opportunity to work with AKC as part of this Office’s commitment to Project Safe Childhood.”

– United States Department of Justice

When a parent sits down with their child for the purpose of educating them on matters that will protect their safety and well being, it’s a significant moment in the parent-child relationship and “All Kids Count” champions that bond.

Jim is heartbroken after his Dad passes away. Feeling alone, he finds a website where people who are sad chat with each other. There, he meets “Mr. Jenkins,” who says he recently lost his wife and understands how Jim feels. They agree to meet.

When Mr. Jenkins arrives to meet Jim, Police swarm onto the scene. Unbeknownst to Jim, the man was under police surveillance for contacting children online.