At Crawford Child Advocacy Center (CCAC), prevention is at the heart of our mission. We work across northern Colorado to help both children and adults recognize and respond to unsafe situations and behaviors — before abuse can occur.
What We Offer:
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Trainings for adults
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School-based education series for children
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Special events focused on child abuse prevention
Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children® Training
Available in English and Spanish
Stewards of Children is an evidence-informed training that empowers adults to prevent, recognize, and respond responsibly to child sexual abuse. Ideal for individuals and youth-serving organizations, this powerful program helps create safer environments for children.
What to Expect:
- Two-part video presentation featuring expert insights and survivor stories
- Facilitator-led discussion to explore real-world prevention strategies
Interactive workbook to reinforce key concepts and develop a personal action plan
Led by a Darkness to Light Authorized Facilitator, the group-based session is engaging and thought-provoking. Organizations that participate demonstrate a serious commitment to child safety
Let’s Coordinate a Training!
The Crawford Child Advocacy Center is happy to arrange a session that fits your schedule:
- Designed for adult caregivers
Seating is limited
- Please note: Topics are sensitive and intended for adults only — children should not attend
Contact us to schedule or learn
Today’s kids are growing up in a digital world filled with smartphones, streaming platforms, online games, and constant connectivity. As a parent or caregiver, it can be overwhelming to know how to keep them safe.
Join Us for a Real-World Discussion on Internet Safety
This session will help you understand the risks kids face online and give you tools to respond effectively and communicate openly with your children about staying safe.
Topics include:
- Inappropriate content
- Online privacy
- Sexting
- Online enticement
- Cyberbullying
Designed for Adult Caregivers
Seating is limited
Sensitive topics will be discussed at an adult level — we recommend children do not attend
Contact us to reserve your spot or learn more
What Is Safety Smarts?
Since 2007, Safety Smarts has empowered elementary students with the tools to recognize, refuse, and report unsafe touches and behavior. Using an evidence-informed curriculum, our trained instructors teach children about:
General safety rules
Body autonomy and ownership
How to respond to unsafe or inappropriate touch
Lessons are interactive, age-appropriate, and taught once a week for five weeks in individual classrooms. Activities include:
Role playing
Storytelling
Singing
Group discussions
Inclusive & Accessible Learning
Available in English and Spanish
Tailored curriculum for students with visual or concrete learning needs, including those on the autism spectrum
In the 2024–25 school year alone, nearly 7,000 students in the Fort Collins area participated in Safety Smarts.
We currently partner with 29 public and charter schools across Fort Collins, Wellington, Laporte, Red Feather Lakes, and Timnath — and continue to expand
Why It Matters
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, over 27,000 cases of child abuse or neglect have been substantiated in Colorado. In our 2025 cases:
Two-thirds involved victims 12 or younger
In over 99% of cases, the perpetrator was not a stranger
Children often remain silent about abuse due to fear, shame, or simply not knowing what to do.
Nationally, 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused by age 18 — and only 10% of those cases are reported
The Power of Prevention
Safety Smarts gives children a voice. They learn how to:
Identify safe vs. unsafe touches
Say “No!” confidently
Tell a trusted adult
Each year, children disclose abuse thanks to what they learn in Safety Smarts — a powerful testament to the program’s life-changing impact
Contact us to bring Safety Smarts to your school or district
English:
The Swimsuit Lesson is a powerful children’s book that offers a simple, effective way for parents to educate their children about the danger of sexual abuse. Through this beautifully illustrated story book, author and former child crimes detective Jon Holsten provides a pathway through the difficult conversation caregivers need to have with children about the dangers facing kids today. This book is an invaluable tool to help families reduce the chances of children being victimized.
Espanol
La Lección del Traje de Baño es un poderoso libro para niños que ofrece una manera simple y efectiva para que los padres eduquen a sus hijos sobre el peligro del abuso sexual. A través de este libro de cuentos bellamente ilustrado, el autor y exdetective de delitos infantiles Jon Holsten ofrece un camino a través de la difícil conversación que los cuidadores deben tener con los niños sobre los peligros que enfrentan los niños en la actualidad. Este libro es una herramienta invaluable para ayudar a las familias a reducir las posibilidades de que los niños sean victimizados.
Ahora, por primera vez, ¡La Lección del Traje de Baño está disponible en español!