Here’s How You Can Support Kids and Youth as the School Year Begins
By Moira McLaughlin
August 26, 2026
Kids and youth show up to the first day of school with a range of emotions from excitement to anxiety. That means you — people who work with kids and youth — may want to take advantage of our tools and resources that can help to address that range of emotions. For some students, those emotions may stem from witnessing or experiencing trauma.
From kindergarten teachers to high school coaches to college counselors, if you work with kids and youth, FUTURES has practical guidance — including resources you can share with parents too — on keeping kids safe and healthy this school year.
For College Professionals
- With our Unscripted toolkit, spark conversation, learning, and connection with young men to engage them in violence prevention, healthy relationships, and mental health education.
- CATAPULT: Campus Action will help you engage men to be leaders in ending violence on campus. These tools include guides for listening sessions, sample activities for workshops, best practices for engaging men, and more.
- Coaching Leadership And Respect (CLEAR) is a violence prevention program that equips college coaches with the knowledge and skills to teach male athletes about healthy masculinity, positive mental health, and safe relationships through 12 short weekly discussions.
For School Professionals
- Through Team: Changing Minds, teachers, coaches, and online moderators can become Everyday Responders who identify, understand, and respond to youth mental health challenges.
- Early childhood professionals can share this safety card with parents.
- Coaches can join Coaching Boys Into Men to train your athletes about healthy relationships, mental health, and the simple truth that violence doesn’t equal strength.
- School-based health providers can view this webinar, which provides strategies to discuss relationship abuse and trafficking with adolescents.
- High school staff can learn more about teen economic abuse through this Action Guide, including what it looks like and what to do if a teen you know is experiencing it. Our report explains its prevalence. You can also learn 16 ways to support kids who are facing violence and trauma.
For Parents & Caregivers
- Increase your understanding of gaming and learn about how gaming affects mental health. Identify mental health challenges and learn to respond with care.
- Learn about Looksmaxxing, what it is, why it’s harmful, and what you can do if you see it.
- If you think your teen is experiencing dating violence, read these 10 ways you can offer support.
- Our Everyday Magic brochure series offers seven ways to help children of all ages who have been affected by family violence. There are versions for pre-K, elementary, middle school, and high school-aged students.
For Teens
- This safety card and this video explain what teen economic abuse looks like and what to do if you are experiencing it.
- Is it love or love bombing? Read this to find out.
- Our Hanging Out or Hooking Up safety card urges teens to reflect on healthy relationships and includes guidance for supporting a friend who is experiencing relationship abuse.
- With this You Matter safety card, receive guidance on healing, resiliency, and harm reduction, as well as where to find support.
Want to keep updated? Join the FUTURES email list to receive updates as new resources and learning opportunities become available.
