A comprehensive violence prevention curriculum designed to transform communities by addressing violence at every level. This innovative program seamlessly integrates primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention methods to create a holistic approach that fosters safer environments for all.
This holistic approach addresses the root cause of all violence: the human need for belonging. Instead of treating forms of violence as isolated incidents, it instills values like empathy, accountability, and emotional agility from Kindergarten to High School. This proactive approach not only aims to curb harmful behaviors but also fosters community, resilience, and personal well-being, providing students with life-long skills.
In alignment with CASEL framework
In alignment with the National Health Education Standards
In alignment with the CDC National Standards
YBH is crafted for all students from Kindergarten to High School. The curriculum is structured to be implemented across grade levels, progressively building on skills acquired at developmentally suitable stages.
Nest’s programming is grounded in research-based prevention strategies and has gone through multiple rounds of review by our diverse board of educational advisors. Learn more about the expert voices contributing to this curriculum.
Since 2014, Nest has collaborated with Columbia University's Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to monitor student progress resulting from our curricula. Our programs enhance students' safety awareness, including online safety, and foster increased community involvement and social advocacy.
Every grade level begins with an Introductory lesson where community agreements are made by students. Following this lesson are 6-9 unique lessons for each grade level.
Kindness in Kindergarten Part A
Kindness in Kindergarten Part B
Managing Strong Emotions
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
Building Skills for Emotional Agility
Cultivating Belonging/Appreciating Differences
Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships
Conflict Resolution & Assertive Communication
Boundaries & Consent
Bystander Behavior & Help Seeking
Digital Risk & Responsibility
Whole Body/Mental Health
Kinship & Connection
Building Skills for Emotional Agility
Cultivating Belonging/Appreciating Differences
Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships
Conflict Resolution & Assertive Communication
Boundaries & Consent
Sex Trafficking Awareness & Prevention
Bystander Behavior & Help Seeking
Digital Risk & Responsibility
Whole Body/Mental Health
Kinship & Connection
Building Skills for Emotional Agility
Preventing Violence Through Kinship
Boundaries & Assertive Communication
Healthy Relationships
Navigating Boundaries & Consent
Respecting Identity and Expression
Active Bystander Interventions
Community Building & Civic Engagement
Building Skills for Emotional Agility
Interpersonal Violence
Digital Wellbeing, Safety and Mental Health
Preventing Grooming & Child Sex Trafficking
Shifting Culture for Systemic Transformation
Embracing Accountability and Cultivating Forgiveness
Navigating Endings: Closure, Growth, and Moving Forward
Community Building & Civic Engagement in the Real World
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.
Regular virtual office hours available for campus staff seeking implementation support.
For students and/or school staff. Learn more about Nest Workshops.
Nest reduces barriers for implementation through time-efficient educator trainings with concrete takeaways and an incredibly easy to use teacher portal.
Our 'You Belong Here' (YBH) curriculum prevents violence by addressing the interconnectedness of all acts of harm, and uncovering their single root cause - the human need for significance & belonging. Using proven social-emotional learning (SEL) framework, our programming builds empathy, accountability, gratitude, and emotional agility through human-centered education. Nest students ultimately build better connections and stronger communities so they can flourish both in their childhoods and throughout their lives.
Yes, YBH lessons are designed with a gradual scaffold and build upon each other. Teaching them in order will assure that students develop the necessary skills to move forward with the material.
There are 5-6 lessons for each unique grade level, except at the middle school level. Based on Health standards, 7th and 8th grade lessons are combined.
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 45-50 minutes for lessons, if being taught in its entirety.
Asynchronous training will be embedded in the teacher portal. School districts/organizations can request live training in person training for an additional cost.
Yes, any trained professional can facilitate these lessons.