The safety and well-being of children is at the center of everything we do at the School District of Lancaster. We know that students learn best when they feel secure, supported, and cared for both in school and at home. That is why we are proud to share that The Mix has been awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) to bring Project Safe & Smart to our community.
Project Safe & Smart is a statewide initiative designed to prevent child sexual abuse and to equip both children and parents with the knowledge and confidence to create safe environments. It combines two evidence-informed approaches, Safe Touches workshops for second-grade classrooms, and Smarter Parents, Safer Kids, a parent-focused program designed to give caregivers the tools they need to protect their children.
Smarter Parents, Safer Kids
Through Smarter Parents, Safer Kids, Lancaster caregivers will have access to free workshops, both online and in person, that address some of the most important issues in parenting today:
- Understanding healthy child development (ages 2–13)
- Learning how to build open and honest communication with children
- Creating safe and supportive home environments
- Promoting safety and awareness to prevent child sexual abuse
These sessions not only provide information, they also offer caregivers a supportive space to ask questions, share experiences, and learn practical strategies to safeguard their children.
Why this matters
The need for this type of programming is clear. During the first round of Project Safe & Smart across Pennsylvania (2022–2024):
- 2,014 Safe Touches workshops were delivered in classrooms
- 38,859 second graders participated in prevention education
- 304 concerning statements or disclosures were made to facilitators
- 574 parents took part in Smarter Parents workshops across 201 sessions
These numbers represent moments where children’s voices were heard, where parents gained new tools, and where families were strengthened through education and support.
A statewide effort, a local commitment
Because of the success of the pilot, PCCD expanded Project Safe & Smart into a second phase beginning in 2025. The Mix was one of only 15 organizations statewide to be awarded funding, ensuring Lancaster families will benefit from this critical prevention work over the next 30 months.
For SDoL, partnerships like this are essential. We know that keeping children safe requires the commitment of schools, families, and the broader community working together. The Mix’s leadership in bringing Smarter Parents, Safer Kids to Lancaster represents a significant step forward in protecting children and building stronger family-school partnerships.
Looking ahead
Every parent and caregiver in Lancaster now has the opportunity to participate in these workshops at no cost. By taking part, they are not only protecting their own children, but also contributing to a safer, healthier community for all.
We commend The Mix and PCCD for making this investment in prevention. We can create a community where every child is safe, every parent is supported, and every family has the resources to thrive.
