Together, making adif ference
Family Engagement Quickstart Guide
Together, making a difference!
Welcome to the WGYB Program
We’ve Got Your Back® (WGYB) is a trauma-informed, mindfulness-based school safety and wellness program that prepares students—and families—to respond confidently and calmly during crises.
Why Family Involvement Matters:
Your role as a parent or caregiver is essential to making the program effective. When children hear the same safety and wellness messages at school and at home, they:
• Retain critical safety skills longer.
• Feel more confident and supported
• Build habits of mindfulness, awareness, and calm
• Are better prepared to respond in a crisis
Program Goals:
1. Create safer schools through awareness and preparation
2. Build resilient students through regular, trauma-informed training
3. Engage families as partners in safety and emotional readiness
Your First 3 Action Steps:
1. Learn the basics of the WGYB program (see following page).
2. Talk to your child using the family talking points.
3. Commit to practicing one WGYB activity together per week.
What
the Program Teaches
WGYB is NOT about fear—it’s about readiness, resilience, and responsibility. Here’s how:
Key Elements Taught to Students:
1. Mindful Awareness & Calm Thinking
➦Breathing, focusing, and managing emotions under stress.
2. Situational Awareness (The 4 Elements):
o Conscious Awareness (What’s happening?)
o Spatial Awareness (Where am I in space?)
o Sensory Awareness (What do I see, hear, feel?)
o Informed Awareness (What do I already know?)
3. Options-Based Safety Responses
➦ Empowering students to choose the best option: Move, Evade, Barricade, or Ask for Help.
4. Compassion & Community
➦ Looking out for others, reporting concerns, and supporting peers.
What You Can Do at Home
☑ Ask your child:
• “What is one way you can stay calm in a scary situation?”
• “What does awareness mean to you?”
• “What are your safety options if something doesn’t feel right?”
☑ Reinforce key phrases:
• “You’ve got this.”
• “Slow your breath. Stay aware.”
• “What’s your plan?”
“A calm, informed child is a safer child.”
☑ Download and use the Family Activity Cards provided in the WGYB toolkit.
How Families Can Engage— Practically and Meaningfully
Family Engagement in WGYB Looks Like:
1. Participating in Family Safety Nights and Forums
➦ Learn about drills, mindfulness strategies, and options-based response.
2. Using the WGYB Tools at Home ➦ Cards, checklists, wellness tips, and practice scenarios.
3. Sharing Feedback and Stories
➦ What worked? What’s unclear? What’s helped your child feel safer?
Weekly Home Actions:
☑ WEEKLY MINDFULNESS MINUTE
Practice 60 seconds of mindful breathing with your child.
Use a calm tone. Model it yourself.
☑ SAFETY SCENARIO TALK
Use one card or question from the WGYB deck
Example: “You hear a loud sound and people are running— what are some safe choices you could make?”
☑ WEEKLY “CHECK-IN CHAT”
Ask your child how they felt about school safety this week. Listen without correcting—support with empathy.
☑ MONTHLY FAMILY REFLECTION
Use the Monthly WGYB Family Reflection page to track how often you’ve practiced and where you feel stronger.
The Power of “We’ve Got Your Back”at Home
WGYB is Not a Drill—it‘s a Mindset
This program builds:
• Mental readiness
• Physical awareness
• Emotional regulation
• Community connection
But it’s only powerful when families carry it home.
Top 5 Talking Points to Reinforce WGYB at Home:
1. “Let’s practice a calm moment together.”
2. “What does your brain script say to do next?”
3. “We always have options, even when things are hard.”
4. “I’m proud of how aware you are of your surroundings.”
5. “No matter what happens—We’ve Got Your Back.”
Final Family Checklist:
☑ I’ve read the WGYB Quick-Start Guide
☑ I’ve talked with my child about staying calm and aware
☑ I’ve practiced one WGYB strategy this week
☑ I’ve signed up for family safety emails or events
☑ I’m helping build our school’s safety culture—together
Need Help or Have Questions?
Contact Our WGYB Team:
✆ 831-224-3838
✉ info@wetrainsafety.com
★ www.wetrainsafety.com
Let’s build a safe, confident, and connected community—together. Because your child’s safety begins with you.
