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You Belong Here (YBH) is a comprehensive violence prevention curriculum written for ages 5-18 that builds practical skills and buffers protective factors that foster safety, reduce harm, and create more connected communities.
100+ lessons aligned with the social-ecological model of violence prevention and grounded in Significance Quest Theory (SQT).
Recognizing that violence stems from common roots, this curriculum asks how we can build better relationships and more connected communities. YBH proactively impacts bullying, teen dating violence, sexual violence, peer-to-peer violence and self-harm.
In alignment with CASEL framework
In alignment with the National Health Education Standards
In alignment with the CDC National Standards
Students begin each grade level by establishing their own community agreements, creating a collaborative space for learning and growth. Lessons then progress from developing personal skills and healthy relationships to understanding how students can create positive change in their broader communities.
Kindness in Kindergarten Part A
Kindness in Kindergarten Part B
Managing Big Feelings
Boundaries: Asking for & Giving Consent
Boundaries: Safe & Unsafe Behaviors
Bullying & Upstander Behavior
Respecting Others & Belonging
Making Space for Grief & Loss
Kindness & Connection
Managing Strong Emotions
Boundaries: Safe & Unsafe Behaviors
Bystander Behavior & Help Seeking
Respecting Others & Belonging
Grief & Loss
Who Am I: Identity and Decision Making
Forming Community Agreements
Why and How Do We Connect?
Connection Through Kindness
Building a Belonging Community
Significance and Building Resilience
Digital Wellbeing
Cyberbullying
Rejection and Social Pain
Mental Health & Illness
Lacking Belonging, Losing Significance
Grooming: Who Do We Trust Online?
Radicalization and Media Literacy
Relationship Behaviors
Communication and Conflict Resolution
A Blueprint for Belonging
Who Am I: Identity and Decision Making
Forming Community Agreements
Why and How Do We Connect?
Connection Through Kindness
Building a Belonging Community
Significance and Building Resilience
Digital Wellbeing
Cyberbullying
Rejection and Social Pain
Mental Health & Illness
Lacking Belonging, Losing Significance
Grooming: Who Do We Trust Online?
Radicalization and Media Literacy
Relationship Behaviors
Communication and Conflict Resolution
A Blueprint for Belonging
Introduction
The Danger of Silence
What is a Healthy Relationship?
How to Argue
How to Apologize
Building Stronger Connections: Boundaries & Control
Building Stronger Connections: Consent & Rejection
How Might We Break Up?
How Might We Handle Rejection?
Why Consent Matters
How Might We Better Protect Ourselves & Others?
How Might We Make Change Happen?
Prototyping Our Solutions
Presenting Our Solutions
Final Reflection: Values, Strengths, and Future Visions
The Interconnectedness of Violence
Biased Attitudes Part 1: Social Identity & Groups
Biased Attitudes Part 2: Culture
Digital Dynamics: Understanding Dehumanization & Social Media Responsibility
From Attitudes to Actions
Understanding Radicalization and Supporting Peers
Case Studies: Violence Pyramid
Building Connections Across Differences
Understanding Other Perspectives
What Makes an Active Bystander?
Violence Prevention: Project Planning
Violence Prevention: Project Presentations
Final Reflection: Values, Strengths, and Future Visions
Students lead the classroom discussions and contribute their own ideas and examples. Every classroom will have a different trajectory depending on the experiences of students, their cultural backgrounds, political viewpoints, economic statuses, personal interests, and learning levels.
YBH serves youth ages 5-18 in diverse educational settings, including schools, after-school programs, clubs, churches, and youth organizations. Through targeted skill-building, YBH helps organizations strengthen protective factors against both victimization and perpetration of violence.
YBH expands on Nest's flagship Healthy Relationships curriculum, incorporating research-based prevention strategies that address all forms of violence and harm. The curriculum has undergone multiple rounds of review by our diverse board of educational advisors. Learn more about the expert voices contributing to this curriculum.
YBH expands on Nest's flagship curriculum, which was monitored in partnership with Columbia University's Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry since 2014. A longitudinal study of YBH will begin in 2026 with UCLA's Wagman Lab.
Easy to navigate, up-to-date teacher portal with all lesson materials, handouts, and support resources.
Self-paced asynchronous training specifically crafted to support implementation
Available for additional cost.
For students and/or school staff. Learn more about Nest Workshops.
'You Belong Here' (YBH) is a research-based violence prevention curriculum grounded in Significance Quest Theory (SQT) and the social-ecological model of violence prevention. While the curriculum utilizes social emotional learning components, these are implemented in service of our primary goal: violence prevention. Our curriculum uniquely combines proven SEL practices with specialized violence prevention strategies to comprehensively address root causes of harm.
Yes, YBH lessons are designed with a gradual scaffold and build upon each other. Teaching them in order will ensure that students develop the necessary skills to move forward with the material. However, we recognize that schools in particular have varying scheduling needs and educational priorities, and we encourage them to adapt and utilize the materials in ways that best serve their learners.
There are 8-10 lessons for Kindergarten through 5th grade. Middle and high school include 13-16 lessons to accommodate more advanced discussions on violence and relationships and provide adequate time for students to build and implement community projects. Review the lesson scaffolding for more details.
The YBH curriculum is aligned with national and state Health Education standards, therefore Health educators typically teach this material. However, every school district/organization can decide who is the most qualified (and trained) to facilitate the YBH curriculum.
The lessons within this curriculum address challenging topics. They have been created for skill building, engagement, discussion, and critical thinking. Facilitators should prepare 60 minutes for lessons, if being taught in its entirety.
Asynchronous training is embedded in the teacher portal. School districts and organizations can request live, in-person training for an additional cost.
Yes, any trained professional can facilitate these lessons.
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