⚠ IF A CHILD IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER

Call 911 right now. To report suspected exploitation: NCMEC CyberTiplinereport.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678. Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline1-800-422-4453, 24/7.

PROJECT DEFEND & PROTECT OUR CHILDREN · PDPC

Protecting children is a skill — and it can be taught.

PDPC is a child-safety education initiative for parents, educators, faith and community leaders, and youth-serving organizations. We teach prevention, awareness, healthy boundaries, digital safety, and responsible reporting — so the adults around a child know what to watch for and what to do.

Our principles

Prevention
The first line of defense. Safe environments are built on purpose.
Education
Knowledge reduces vulnerability — for adults and for children.
Awareness
Recognizing warning signs early improves outcomes.
Responsibility
Every community member has a role in keeping children safe.
Collaboration
Families, schools, and organizations protect best together.
Respect
Every child deserves dignity, safety, and the chance to thrive.

Certification pathways

Each pathway is a guided set of courses ending in a Certificate of Completion. These build knowledge and confidence — they are educational certificates, not professional licensure.

Parent Protection
Foundations, healthy boundaries, digital safety, family safety planning.
certificate
Educator Protection
Student safety, professional boundaries, documentation, reporting responsibilities.
certificate
Youth Protection Leader
For coaches, volunteers, and youth-program staff. Supervision and screening basics.
certificate
Community Protection
Partnerships, resource mapping, public awareness, referral systems.
certificate
School Safety Advocate
Prevention programs, safety culture, communication protocols.
certificate
Child Protection Leadership
Advanced track: complete foundational certificates plus a community project.
fellowship

The curriculum

Child Protection Foundations

Foundations of Child ProtectionHealthy Boundaries & Relationships

Digital Safety

Digital Safety & Online Risk AwarenessOnline Grooming AwarenessYouth Digital Resilience

Parent Protection

Family Safety PlanningParent Advocacy

Educator Protection

Child Safety for EducatorsSchool Protection Strategies

Community Protection

Community Child ProtectionYouth Organization Safety

Reporting & Documentation

Documentation FundamentalsResponse & Referral Systems

Safety for young people

Age-appropriate lessons that build confidence, not fear.

Elementary

Trusted adults, personal safety, speaking up, and kindness. It's always okay to say no and to tell a grown-up you trust.

Middle School

Online safety, healthy relationships, handling peer pressure, and being a good digital citizen.

High School

Leadership, risk awareness, advocacy, and looking out for the younger kids in your community.

Warning signs & what to do

These are general indicators worth paying attention to — not proof on their own, but reasons to stay engaged and ask gentle questions.

  • An adult seeking unusual private time, secrecy, or one-on-one access to a child
  • Gifts, money, or special attention that feels designed to create a private bond
  • A child becoming withdrawn, anxious, or secretive — especially about a person or device
  • Pressure to keep secrets from parents or other trusted adults
  • Sudden changes in mood, sleep, or online behavior
1
Stay calm and keep the conversation open. Let the child know they're safe and not in trouble.
2
Write down what you observed — dates, words, and facts, kept objective.
3
Report concerns to the right authority. In an emergency, call 911; otherwise use the hotlines above.

Family resource library

Report & get help

Emergency — child in immediate danger911
NCMEC CyberTipline (online exploitation)1-800-843-5678
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline1-800-422-4453