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HomeOffice of Overseas Schools...Child Protection

# 									Child Protection							

Office of Overseas Schools

## 								Index							

        - Child Protection General Information
        - Child Protection Resources
        - Safety and Security
        - Social Emotional Learning
        - Child Mental Health Resources
        - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
        - Contact

### Child Protection General Information

The Office of Overseas Schools of the United States Department of State is committed to helping to provide a safe learning environment for all students in international schools. For the last decade the office has worked to expand guidance and active child protection efforts through our relationships with other international educational entities, school accreditation agencies, and law enforcement agents from the United States and abroad. The Office of Overseas Schools knows that these efforts must be continuous and ongoing to safeguard children who attend schools around the world. The office also recognizes that students themselves need support in understanding how to have healthy self-concepts, emotional strength, and resiliency.

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### Child Protection Resources

The Office of Overseas Schools, in partnership with four additional international education groups, founded the International Task Force on Child Protection in 2015. The Task Force worked with volunteers in international schools and other international agencies to gather best practices and agreed upon Child Protection standards that would help schools institute operational policies and practices for the selection, employment, and training of educators.
        - Education Portal  – The  International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children  (ICMEC) and the  International Task Force on Child Protection  created this resource to help you develop child protection policies, train staff and volunteers, educate children and youth, respond to suspicion or an accusation of abuse, and understand your role as school counselor or child protection designate. The Office of Overseas Schools is a founding member of the Task Force. The Education Portal is made possible through a grant from the  Overseas Schools Advisory Council .
        - Child Protection Handbook – Created by  The Association of International Schools in Africa , this handbook sets forth steps faculty, staff, students, volunteers, contractors, and consultants can take to minimize the threat of child abuse in schools and to respond promptly and effectively should abuse be observed, suspected, or disclosed.  Here you will also find:           - AISA Model for Adult Education on Child Protection
          - Building & Using Multidisciplinary Teams for AISA Schools
          - AISA Child Protection Handbook Curriculum Guidance 
        - Child Protection Certificates  – created by the  Educational Collaborative for International Schools  (ECIS), these certificates are designed for three distinct audiences, support staff, teachers and leaders, and governors and owners. They will enable your school to meet compliance standards for accreditation or inspection.
        - Self Protection Standard and Benchmarks from the CDC National Health Standards
        - Social Emotional Learning and Child Self-Protection (SELCSP) Standards and Benchmarks for International Schools [623 KB]   In 2023, through a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) worked to develop these Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Child Self-Protection (CSP) curriculum standards and benchmarks. The goal in creating these standards is to offer concrete guidance to international schools to enhance student well-being and protective support through teaching a structured curriculum that implements these standards.
        - Schoolwide SEL in an International Setting – With funding from the Office of Overseas Schools, CASEL has tailored their time tested approach to an international audience with several resources for international schools.

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### Safety and Security

The ***Emergency Management Handbook***was first published by the Central and Eastern European Association (CEESA) in 1998 through a grant from the Overseas Schools Advisory Council (OSAC). Its most recent redesign was completed in 2013.

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### Social Emotional Learning and Well-Being

Overseas Schools Advisory Council (OSAC) partnered with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) to promote the use of Social Emotional Learning in assisted schools around the world. CASEL has presented seminars to assisted schools on the benefits and methods of effective implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL) and will continue to do so.
        - Social Emotional Learning and Child Self-Protection (SELCSP) Standards and Benchmarks for International Schools [623 KB]   In 2023, through a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) worked to develop these Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Child Self-Protection (CSP) curriculum standards and benchmarks. The goal in creating these standards is to offer concrete guidance to international schools to enhance student well-being and protective support through teaching a structured curriculum that implements these standards.
        - Schoolwide SEL in an International Setting – With funding from the Office of Overseas Schools, CASEL has tailored their time tested approach to an international audience with several resources for international schools.

Beyond the partnership with CASEL, the Office of Overseas Schools has a complied other resources for schools, students, and families on well-being and belonging.
        - Feel Your Best Self –  (FYBS) is a toolkit for learning 12 simple, emotion-focused coping strategies. FYBS was originally created for use in classrooms, such as during morning meetings.
        - Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports  (PBIS)- is an evidence-based,  tiered framework for supporting  students ’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. 

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### Child Mental Health Resources

**Davis, P., Headley, K., Bazemore, T., Cervo, J., Sickinger, P., Winfham, M., & Rehfuss, M**. (2010). Evaluating impact of transition seminars on missionary kids’ depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 38, 186-194.

**Dixon, P., & Hayden, M.** (2008). “On the move”: Primary age children in transition. Cambridge Journal of Education, 38, 483-496.

**Gilbert, K. R.** (2008). Loss and grief between and among cultures: The experience of third culture kids. Illness, crisis and loss, 16, 93-109.

**Lyttle, A. D., Baker, G. G., Cornwell, T. L.** (2011). Adept through adaptation: Third culture individuals’ interpersonal sensitivity. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35, 686-694.

**Inman, A., Ngoubene-Atioky, A., Ladany, N., & Mack, T.** (2009). School counselors in international schools: Critical issues and challenges. International Journal of Advanced Counselling, 31, 80-99.

**Nathanson, J. Z., & Marcenko, M.** (1995). Young adolescents’ adjustment to the experience of relocating overseas. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 19, 413-424.

**Schuarzberg, C., & Parenteau, S.** (2004). The impact of moves on international school students: A transition study in Argentina. International School Journal, 24, 33-40.

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### Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Resources

The Office of Overseas Schools, in collaboration with the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), have begun a new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Symposium and comprehensive DEIJ Guide for educators and administrators who are committed to creating inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students. This guide is the result of over a year of work and collaboration between educators from around the world. This Office of Overseas Schools funded project is intended to serve international schools around the world but has a focus on Africa.

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### Regional Education Officers (REOs) Contact

School situations can change quickly, particularly as schools face cutbacks to learning support programs due to the pandemic, unrest, and economic uncertainty. For the most current information, work with the REO and school. The website information is intended as a jumping off point for a conversation with the REO and school to understand the best fit for your child. Definitions may vary school to school. 

For information about overseas schools, you are encouraged to contact any of the following REOs via OverseasSchools@state.gov. Expertise related questions will be directed to the appropriate REO and the Overseas Schools Team will endeavor to respond within one business day.