(Posted 2025 May)
Meet Clare Bradshaw, one of the Body Safety Program’s newer volunteers. Clare learned about the Body Safety program through her involvement with the volunteer Medical Reserve Corp. and it sparked her interest.
As a recently retired pediatric nurse and a huge advocate for the health and safety of children, the Body Safety program was a perfect fit for Clare. She is a recent empty nester, and found herself wanting to do more, make an impact, and help more people with her free time.
It has turned out to be a great time in her life to be intentional about giving her time back to the community. Now, Clare teaches at least three Body Safety classes at each FCPS elementary school, helping children understand what abuse is, the different types of abuse, how to identify their safe adults, and what to do in unsafe situations.
Clare is reliable, energetic, enthusiastic, and always shows up with a smile. Clare not only teaches a lot of the younger grades, but she’s also never afraid to sing songs, and she helps teach the children in the non-general education classes who are more vulnerable to abuse.
Clare is an invaluable addition to the Body Safety Program team of volunteers, and we are so grateful to work with her.
The Impact of Prevention
According to Virginia Department of Social Services commissioner, James Williams’ statement on Child Abuse Prevention Month, “In State Fiscal Year 2024, the Virginia Department of Social Services opened 2,798 in-home services cases. Through these cases, family services specialists served an estimated 18,398 children and their families to help them successfully thrive and prevent entry into the foster care system.
Prevention is not just about responding to crisis—it is about ensuring that families never reach a crisis point. Through community partnerships, economic stability, parent support programs, and innovative, culturally responsive strategies, we are reimagining a future where prevention is embedded in every aspect of society.”
Supporting Child Abuse Prevention
Though April was Child Abuse Prevention Month, we want to continue the momentum and awareness all year round to foster these community partnerships and volunteer relationships to help build stronger families.
The Body Safety Program is an easy program to get involved with if you have free time during the day, are retired, enjoy working with children and want to give back. Facilitators get to pick the classes and grades they want to teach and fit in their schedule. The staff trains the facilitators to use the Speak Up Be Safe evidence- and research-based curriculum provided by ChildHelp. It’s easy to use, and the team has fun making such a significant contribution.
Are you available on weekdays during school hours and enjoy working with kids? If so, this opportunity is for you! We need volunteer classroom instructors to help empower elementary students with the tools they need to prevent or interrupt child abuse. Apply online or contact the Body Safety Program staff via email or phone at 703-324-7459.
Help us reach our goal of 30 new volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year. Our next training is on Friday, August 8. Join Clare, and the rest of the amazing team of volunteer Body Safety program facilitators! Contact us today!
This article posting is part of The Volunteer Post Newsletter for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families in crisis. Learn more about Fairfax County Department of Family Services' Volunteer & Partner Services Program (VPS).