CHEROKEE COUNTY— The Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County is highlighting its continued efforts to educate and protect local children through prevention programs in schools, announcing that it has delivered 196 prevention education sessions to classrooms across Cherokee County during the past year.

According to the organization, prevention education plays a critical role in protecting children in a variety of situations and environments by providing them with age-appropriate, evidence-based information designed to promote personal safety and awareness.

Officials with the Children’s Advocacy Center said the classroom sessions focus on helping students recognize unsafe situations, seek help when needed, and understand they are not alone. The topics presented are intended to be informative while also equipping children with potentially life-saving knowledge and skills.

The organization emphasized that teaching children safety concepts early and consistently better prepares them to make informed decisions, communicate concerns, and identify trusted adults in their lives. Lessons also reinforce personal boundaries, healthy relationships, and safety awareness in ways tailored to each grade level and developmental stage.

Center officials said prevention efforts are about more than responding to harm after it occurs. Instead, they focus on taking proactive measures aimed at stopping abuse and unsafe situations before they begin.

The Children’s Advocacy Center noted that this approach not only helps empower children with lifelong skills, but also strengthens families and supports educators throughout the county.

The organization credited the success of the prevention education program to support from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention, its partnership with Cherokee County Schools, and the curriculum provided through the Monique Burr Foundation for Children.

The center emphasized its prevention philosophy by noting, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”