Utah Code 53G-9-207 requires every public school district and charter school to provide two things every 3 years: prevention training for all school personnel on how to recognize, respond to, and report child sexual abuse and human trafficking, and prevention education for parents of elementary students on how to identify warning signs and talk with their children about safety. Providing age-appropriate prevention instruction directly to students in grades K-6 is strongly encouraged but not currently required.

Not currently. Student instruction in grades K-6 is optional under state law. However, it is strongly recommended, and state funding is available to support it. Schools that offer student instruction also report that proactive education reduces the likelihood of abuse occurring and increases the likelihood that students will share concerns when they arise.

Schools have three pathways:

• Partner with Prevent Child Abuse Utah (PCAU), the state-contracted primary provider, which delivers classroom instruction at no cost with no grant application required

• Apply for a USBE grant to bring in another approved provider to deliver instruction

• Use USBE grant funding to train your own staff through an approved program that offers a train-the-trainer model, then have trained staff deliver instruction directly to students

For the third option, not all approved programs include a train-the-trainer model. Contact the USBE Prevention team to learn which programs offer this training.

All materials must be submitted to and approved by USBE in partnership with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services before they can be used in Utah schools. Materials are evaluated against minimum standards established by USBE, covering age-appropriateness, evidence base, and alignment with Utah law. Reviewers include USBE prevention staff, DHHS experts, educators, mental health specialists, pediatricians, and community members. Approval is granted for three years, after which materials must be resubmitted.

No. Materials must be delivered as approved, following the specific delivery plan and instructional process reviewed by USBE. This requirement protects schools as much as it protects students. When materials are delivered with fidelity, you can be confident that what students receive has been thoroughly vetted and meets state standards. If you have students with specific learning or support needs, contact the provider to discuss what is possible within the approved framework. Note that adapted materials for students with special needs are not yet widely available through the approval process. The Policy Project is currently leading a working group to develop materials specifically designed for students with diverse learning and support needs.

Funds can be used to train LEA staff using approved materials, partner with approved providers for classroom instruction, cover implementation costs such as printing and staff travel, and provide stipends for educators certified to deliver approved lessons. Funds cannot be used for food, assemblies, computer equipment, new staff positions, or the cost of staff or parent prevention education. Note that there is currently no dedicated state funding for the mandatory staff training or parent education requirements. Those costs are the responsibility of the LEA.

Applications are submitted through the Utah Grants Management System. The grant cycle reopens in August 2026. Funding is awarded until the statewide pool is exhausted, so applying early is recommended. Contact Mindy Elliott at USBE for application guidance and current deadlines: mindy.elliott@schools.utah.gov.

Prevention education sometimes gives students the words and confidence to share something they have been holding onto. A disclosure during or after a lesson is not a cause for concern about the programming but a sign the education is working as intended. Listen calmly and without judgment. Thank the student for telling you, reassure them they did the right thing, and let them know they are not in trouble. Do not investigate, ask leading questions, or make promises about what will happen next.

In Utah, all school personnel are mandatory reporters. You are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect when you have reason to believe a child may be at risk. You do not need permission from an administrator before making a report. Report immediately according to your school's protocol and connect the student with a counselor or appropriate support staff. Reports can also be made directly to Utah's Child Protection Line at 1-855-323-3237 or online at dcfs.utah.gov.

Proactive, clear communication before instruction begins is the single most effective way to reduce parent concern. Schools should send an introductory message explaining what the education is and is not, share the parent FAQ, provide notice of instruction dates, and explain how parents can review materials or opt out.

Parents have the right to review all instructional materials before their child participates and to opt their child out of instruction without explanation. Schools are required to provide notification before instruction begins and must have a clear, accessible opt-out process. Keep opt-out records and notify the delivering provider before instruction begins so opted-out students are not included.

Several USBE-approved providers offer adult-serving youth training that meets the three-year staff training requirement. These are available through the USBE approved materials list. Additional free training resources are available in the Staff Training section of the Safe Toolkit, including resources on trauma-informed responses, mandatory reporting, and creating safe school environments.