Please note this true case study is alarming. As of June 5th, 2025, the teacher had yet to be arrested, but a criminal investigation was underway. https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article305571141.html

A fifth-grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, identified as Jarrett Williams, allegedly groomed an 11-year-old student—sending her a two-page, hand-written letter confessing, “You know I truly love you no matter what… I love how close we have gotten this year” (https://www.mysuncoast.com). After the letter was discovered on March 9, 2025, authorities and district officials were notified the next day, and Williams was immediately reassigned to a non-teaching role (WESH, WTSP).

Despite the severity of the allegations—including parents calling it a “textbook grooming letter”—the school board voted on April 29 to accept Williams’s resignation under investigation, rather than officially firing him (https://www.mysuncoast.com). Only one dissenting voice, board member Cindy Spray, urged the district to fire him outright (Your Observer).

District officials later defended the resignation stance as functionally equivalent to a firing. They emphasized that his personnel file would be flagged, and multiple agencies—including the state Department of Children and Families, the Department of Education’s Office of Professional Practices, and local law enforcement—were looped in (WESH).

However, the parents—shaken by the letter’s discovery—said they had hoped for a firmer statement: “To us, we felt termination was tougher language… somebody we would hope would never be in a classroom again” (WESH).

In the heart of our community stands a small yet vibrant church, a congregation of about 100 people, where nearly half of the attendees are children under the age of 12. Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with one of the church’s deacons and engaging in a thoughtful conversation about a challenge that many small churches face: how to uphold the high standards of Plan to Protect® when resources are limited and meeting ratios seem daunting.

David and Lisa Thompson, along with their children Sophie (12) and Ben (9), set out to create a summer full of connection and fun with David’s parents, Henry and Martha. They knew that Henry’s mobility challenges and Martha’s sensitivity to heat required thoughtful planning to ensure safe and enjoyable activities for all generations.

Lisa took charge, designing outings that blended excitement, relaxation, and accessibility so everyone could participate. Their approach offers a blueprint for families seeking to create lasting summer memories with their senior loved ones.

Choose Activities That Include Everyone

Lisa carefully selected activities that allow full family participation, ensuring fun without physical strain for Henry and Martha.

This past month, I was called in as an Expert Witness for a lawsuit of abuse that occurred 50 years ago. The standard of care in the 1970s was significantly less than it is in 2025. Remarkably, the organization was able to retrieve volunteer application forms, registration records of the children enrolled in the program, policies on volunteer...

Elder abuse  within Indigenous communities is a grave but often hidden is sue. Many elderly Indigenous individuals feel afraid or ashamed to report abuse, particularly when family members are the perpetrators. This abuse takes many forms, including spiritual, emotional, physical, sexual, and financial exploitation, all of which compound...

Do you know a senior suffering in silence?

Elder abuse is a silent epidemic that affects millions of older adults worldwide. It takes many forms—physical, emotional, financial, neglect, and even spiritual abuse. Often, it happens behind closed doors, making it difficult to detect and address. As a community, we have a collective responsibility...

Members at large, also known as at-large members, typically refer to individuals who are part of the committee but do not hold specific officer positions or titles. They serve as general members and often play important roles in decision-making, oversight, and providing diverse perspectives. Given your involvement with Plan to Protect® and your desire to prevent abuse, you might find it interesting to know that members at large can play a crucial role in ensuring accountability and transparency within organizations, especially those focused on abuse prevention.

Victims often stay silent about their abuse. They may fear they will not be believed, or fear further abuse from the offender. Too often we hear that the blame for the abuse is placed on the victim rather than the offender.

Statements like these fall under the term victim-blaming:

• “She was flirting with him!”
• “He is known to be a liar.”
• “What was she thinking would happen if she dressed that way?”
• “He has chosen an alternative lifestyle and brought it on himself!”

We want to strongly caution you against approaching any reports or concerns of abuse from that perspective. Instead, we encourage you to appoint an individual to be responsible for receiving reports that will advocate for transparency and truth and also to be an advocate for the victim. 

How a "Speak Up" Culture Improves Child Safety
Written by KidCheck; Posted with Permission

Organizations dedicated to children and youth have an excellent opportunity to create a  safe and welcoming  environment by fostering transparency and encouraging open dialogue between leadership, staff, volunteers, and families.

Encouraging...