Mecklenburg County seal — Safer Meck home

Support for Parents

Making sure guns are secured is an important part of keeping your family safe.

Parents and caregivers wear many hats including protecting and keeping our children safe. Many parents are gun owners, and many are not. Yet, we can all help the children across our community stay safe from injuries and harm due to gun violence.

A parent and child having a conversation

Be SMART

SMART is a framework that parents, caretakers, and community leaders can follow to help keep their communities safe. Ultimately, you can help prevent kids from accessing firearms by storing them securely, and encouraging others to do the same. Because children deserve to feel safe, no matter where they are.

Here's how to be SMART:

Secure all firearms
Model responsible behavior with firearms
Ask about the unsecured firearms in other homes
Recognize the role of firearms in suicide
Tell your peers to be SMART also!
Learn more by visiting besmartforkids.org

How to Talk to Kids About Gun Safety

Children are naturally curious. Therefore, it is important to remember that talking about gun safety to children should always be coupled with safe gun storage. Have the conversation early and often to help them understand that an unsecured gun is always unsafe.

How to Talk to Kids About Gun Safety

For Young Kids

Make it part of the normal safety conversation you have with your children. Keep the language simple; for example: “If you see a gun, don’t touch it. Tell an adult right away.”
Tell children not to touch a gun, even if it looks like a toy.
Assure children they will not get in trouble if they tell an adult they’ve seen a gun.
Don’t have the conversation only once. Talk to them frequently, just as you would about other crucial safety issues.
Make sure they understand that any situation where there’s an unsupervised gun is a dangerous situation.
It is important to remember that talking to children about guns is a precaution, not a guarantee of safety. One study found that young children who go through a week-long gun safety training are just as likely as children with no training to play with a handgun when they find one.¹

Source: Be Smart

1. Marjorie S. Hardy (Sanfilippo), Teaching Firearm Safety to Children: Failure of a Program, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, Vol. 23 No. 2, April 2002. 71-76.

How to Talk to Kids About Gun Safety

For Older Kids

Include it in your general safety conversations about topics like drugs, alcohol, and drunk driving.
Tell them to immediately leave any situation where an unsecured gun is present.
Tell them not to listen to a friend who says a gun is unloaded or otherwise safe.
Give your teen strategies to get out of a situation where a gun is present—or brainstorm them together. For example, you could agree that your teen would say: “Mom just texted me that I have to get home right now.”
Assure them that it’s OK to ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes, but offer to do it for them if they don’t feel comfortable.
Don’t have the conversation only once. Talk to them frequently, just as you would about other crucial safety issues.
Make sure they understand that any situation where there’s an unsupervised gun is a dangerous situation.
It is important to remember that talking to children about guns is a precaution, not a guarantee of safety. One study found that young children who go through a week-long gun safety training are just as likely as children with no training to play with a handgun when they find one.¹

Source: Be Smart

1. Marjorie S. Hardy (Sanfilippo), Teaching Firearm Safety to Children: Failure of a Program, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, Vol. 23 No. 2, April 2002. 71-76.

Talking with Other Parents

Start the conversation with other parents

Make asking about gun storage a priority. Never assume you know someone’s stance on safe firearm storage. Instead, ask the question.

Extend the first invitation.

When you invite someone’s child to your home, describe the safety measures you use — including safe firearm storage if you own a gun. This will reassure other parents and make it easier for you to ask safety questions in the future.

Listen for red flags.

Consider whether the other parent’s home sounds like a safe environment for your child. One red flag is when a parent says that their guns are “hidden” or “out of reach.” Kids can find anything adults try to hide.

Source: Parent Conversation Flyer – English – NC S.A.F.E.

A teenage girl with a serious expression

Community and Partner Resources for Youth

Community Resources

For Parents & Caregivers

Parenting Classes

Teen Health Connection (opens in a new tab)

Teen Health Connection offers parenting resources specifically designed to strengthen parental efficacy and build healthy connections between parents and their teens.
Peer and Family Support

Mental Health America of Central Carolinas (opens in a new tab)

Provides education, advocacy, and support for parents navigating the education, child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems. They also host parent support groups.
Parenting Classes

The Relatives (opens in a new tab)

The Relatives offers monthly classes on “Parenting Challenging Youth” based on the Love & Logic parenting model.
Tools and Guidance

Center for Prevention Services (opens in a new tab)

Offers various educational programs to support youth and families including the Strengthening Families Program (SFP), Strong African American Families (SAAF), and Familia Adelante.
Support for Grief

KinderMourn (opens in a new tab)

KinderMourn provides hope for bereaved parents, grieving children and teens by offering support and counseling programs, creating awareness of bereavement issues and empowering the community to effectively assist those who have suffered an unthinkable loss.
Parenting Support

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) (opens in a new tab)

Triple P supports parents in raising confident, healthy children and teenagers by giving parents the practical skills they need to build strong family relationships. Triple P doesn’t tell people how to parent, rather it gives them simple and practical strategies they can adapt to suit their own values, beliefs, and needs.
Education and Support

Thompson Prevention (opens in a new tab)

Thompson provides support for children and families including parent support groups, education, and parenting programs.
Free Therapy Sessions

Thrive Wellness Group (opens in a new tab)

Thrive Family Wellness Group bridges the gap in mental health access for under-served communities by connecting youth and families with licensed clinicians, including free therapy sessions.

For Youth & Teens

Empowering teens to be healthy, safe and successful

Teen Health Connection (opens in a new tab)

Teen Health Connection is the leading provider of integrated medical and behavioral healthcare for adolescents and young adults ages 11 through 25.
Support for Youth in Crisis

Youth Wellness Hubs (opens in a new tab)

Youth Wellness Hubs is a support program for youth ages 8 to 20 who have experienced thoughts of self-harm or a recent mental health crisis within the past 90 days.
City of Charlotte

Office of Youth Opportunities (opens in a new tab)

The Office of Youth Opportunities connects Charlotte’s young people with paid jobs, mentorship, leadership experiences, and safe spaces to learn and grow.
Learn, Create, Grow

Exposure Project (opens in a new tab)

Exposure Project is an innovative Charlotte based program, providing youth an opportunity to engage in character development and exposure to career exploration through a hands on approach.
Teen Violence Prevention

Project Unloaded (opens in a new tab)

Project Unloaded partners with teens across the US to develop mental health and violence prevention social media content to encourage teens to keep working on mental health, without a gun around.
LGBTQ+ Youth Support

Time Out Youth (opens in a new tab)

Support, advocacy, and opportunities for personal development and social interaction to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth ages 13-24.
Violence Prevention

Say Something Anonymous Reporting (opens in a new tab)

The Say Something ARS program empowers students, teachers, and administrators to recognize warning signs of potential threats—whether they occur in school, on social media, or within the community. This initiative encourages individuals to "say something" to a Trusted Adult or utilize the anonymous reporting system when they recognize concerning behavior.
Mental Health

Somethings (opens in a new tab)

Free mental health support for teens in North Carolina Somethings has partnered with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to provide any teen across the state with free mental health services. Any teen across NC can download and use the Somethings App for free, regardless of insurance coverage.
Group Counseling JCPC Funded

B.R.I.C.K. Program (opens in a new tab)

Individual, family, and group counseling using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT. Counseling addresses family and peer relationships, parenting conflicts, and drug and alcohol use while building social and emotional skills. For youth ages 12 to 17, and 18-year-olds still under juvenile court jurisdiction.
Interpersonal Skill Building JCPC Funded

Youth Diversion Program (opens in a new tab)

An alternative to arrest that gives young people support to redirect their behavior. Youth complete an interpersonal skill-building workshop and a 7-week program with an interactive journal and check-ins from Diversion staff and School Resource Officers.
Group Mentoring JCPC Funded

Right Moves For Youth (opens in a new tab)

Weekly group mentoring for students ages 11 to 17, focused on educational attainment, self-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision making. The 26-week curriculum includes interpersonal skill building.
Mentoring JCPC Funded

Team Up Connections (opens in a new tab)

Mentoring for youth ages 10 to 17 who are at high risk of juvenile court involvement or are under court supervision, including diversion, probation, or post-release supervision. Parents take part in weekly parent skill-building sessions.
Assessment JCPC Funded

Thompson Juvenile Court Assessment Program (opens in a new tab)

Comprehensive clinical assessments, psychological evaluations, and case coordination for youth ages 10 to 17. Youth are referred by juvenile court counselors.
Restitution and Community Service JCPC Funded

Transforming Futures Community Service (opens in a new tab)

A restorative justice program that gives court-involved and diverted youth interest-based service opportunities and stronger community connections. Youth repair harm by earning victim restitution. For ages 10 to 17, or 18 and older under juvenile court supervision.
Interpersonal Skill Building JCPC Funded

TreSports Positive Action Program

A research-based character education program that rewards students with athletics as they complete it and improve in school. Parents are encouraged to join monthly skill-building classes using the Parenting Wisely model.
Parent and Family Skill Building JCPC Funded

YDI Family Life Skills Academy (opens in a new tab)

Teens ages 14 to 17 build decision-making and social skills while their parents build parenting and family skills, using the Reach4LIFE curriculum. Youth are referred by juvenile court and School Resource Officers.
Vocational Skills JCPC Funded

YDI Vocational and Career Development Academy (opens in a new tab)

A 25-week program for youth ages 14 and up that combines trades instruction, life and job skills training, and real-world work experience. Youth are referred by juvenile court, School Resource Officers, or school administrators.
Vocational Skills JCPC Funded

Transforming Futures Career Exploration (opens in a new tab)

A 100-hour workforce readiness program for justice-involved youth ages 15 to 17, with extended reality career simulations, hands-on learning, and soft skills development. Participants build a personal Future Forward Plan and earn a $500 stipend by completing 50 hours of paid work placement.
Parent and Family Skill Building JCPC Funded

MHA Family VOICE (opens in a new tab)

A 17-week program for youth ages 12 to 18 and their caregivers that combines mental health education with individualized family support. Families get help navigating mental health, school, and juvenile court systems.
Substance Use and Behavioral Health JCPC Funded

Anuvia Youth Assessment and Counseling (opens in a new tab)

Screening and assessment for substance use, behavioral health needs, and family risk factors, followed by individual, group, or family counseling. Parents and caregivers can also take part in skill-building classes. Assessments are by referral from juvenile court counselors.

JCPC Funded Programs funded through Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) to provide services to youth (mentoring, workforce development, mental health, substance use support).

Contact Us

Email: OVP@MeckNC.gov