Missouri Network Against Child Abuse

06/07/2026

We’re Officially a Vendor at the 2026 Juneteenth-Jefferson City Heritage Festival!

Saturday, June 13 at Lincoln University – Practice Field & Walking Track 903 Lafayette Street, Jefferson City, MO.

Mark your calendars! We’re excited to be part of this vibrant, community-centered celebration featuring live music, food, cultural performances, local artists, a car show, and a full vendor village where we’ll be set up and ready to connect with you!

This is Jefferson City’s official Juneteenth celebration, hosted by the Juneteenth-Jefferson City Heritage Committee and held on Lincoln University’s campus. It’s a day to honor culture, legacy, and freedom — with fun for the entire family.

Headline performer: Jazz saxophonist Tim Cunningham, plus dance crews, magicians, bounce houses, raffles, and more.

Note: There are other Juneteenth events in the area, but this is the official celebration happening on June 13 at Lincoln University.
We’ll be there representing MO-NACA and can’t wait to see you!

FREE to attend – all are welcome. June 13, 2026 | 10:00AM – 4:30PM at Lincoln University Practice Field – 903 Lafayette St., Jefferson City, MO

06/05/2026

As kids begin to enjoy the freedom of summer, it is a good time to check in on your knowledge of internet safety, and discuss safe habits with your children.

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has a page dedicated to Internet Safety Month, filled with a variety of resources for parents and caregivers. You will find tip sheets on starting conversations with your child, sextortion, sexting, and other topics by visiting their page at: https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/events/internet-safety-month

We will be sharing tips for Internet Safety Month every Friday in June, so check back each week for new posts!

06/02/2026

We envision a Missouri where children are embraced as they are.
Happy Pride Month from Missouri Network Against Child Abuse!

05/30/2026

05/29/2026

Join us for our next virtual Stewards of Children training! This training is FREE for Missouri residents.

REGISTER HERE ➡️ https://d2l.coalitionmanager.org/eventmanager/trainingevent/details/4082
Missouri residents - please use code MOKIDSV23 at checkout.

WHAT IS STEWARDS OF CHILDREN®?
Stewards of Children® is an evidence-informed, award-winning two and a half hour training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Through interviews with a very diverse group of people with lived experience, experts, and treatment providers, Stewards of Children® teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in their organizations, families, and communities.

WHAT SETS STEWARDS OF CHILDREN® APART?
Stewards of Children® is one of the only evidence- informed, adult-focused
child sexual abuse prevention trainings in the United States proven to increase
knowledge and change behavior.

HOW YOU CAN INFLUENCE REAL CHANGE AS A STEWARD OF CHILDREN?
Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® provides actionable behaviors that create prevention-oriented communities.
Participants will exit the training being able to engage in conversations about child sexual abuse prevention with other adults and enact prevention policies where children live, learn, and play. They will also be able to recognize and react to boundary violations as well as suspected child abuse and disclosures. Participants will transfer the skills they learn into their communities, helping to embed prevention practices into their communities and help embed prevention practices within their spheres of influence to help proactively prevent child sexual abuse.

Questions? Contact Randi by emailing [email protected].

05/20/2026

“Online child sexual abuse had already reached unprecedented levels before the widespread adoption of generative AI. In 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received roughly 50,000 reports of suspected child sexual abuse material every day, most depicting prepubescent children.”

Read more in Teresa Huizar’s Op-Ed below.

Most of us share photos of the kids we love without a second thought. But in today’s digital world, even those everyday moments can carry risks.

In a new Washington Times op-ed written by NCA CEO Teresa Huizar, she explores why it’s worth pausing before we post, and how we can better protect kids online: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/may/19/dangers-posting-pictures-child-online/

05/19/2026

Our Stewards of Children network gained 13 new facilitators this week 🎉

Stewards of Children® is one of the only evidence-informed, adult-focused child sexual abuse prevention training programs in the United States proven to increase knowledge and change behavior.

Developed by Darkness to Light, this award-winning program teaches adults how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

MO-NACA’s growing statewide network of Authorized Stewards of Children Facilitators are ready to provide this important training for your organization or community! Learn more by visiting: https://mo-naca.org/training/stewards-of-children/

Congratulations to the newest Stewards of Children facilitators! 🤩

05/13/2026

We believe it is every adult’s responsibility to keep kids safe. The Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training is designed to empower all mandated reporters and any adults committed to safeguarding children. Its purpose is to guide individuals in fulfilling their responsibility to protect children from sexual abuse and neglect.

The online training is easily accessible and free of charge. Designed as an ongoing resource for mandated reporters, participants can explore supplemental resources within the training. The self-paced session typically requires one to three hours. Upon successful completion, participants receive certification and are eligible for two Continuing Education Units.

www.protectmokids.com

05/12/2026

MO-NACA team members Beth and Angela are at the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services 20th Annual Conference on Family and Sexual Violene this week, eager to connect with attendees. If you are at the conference, stop by and visit our table!