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Police Department's new 'Guardian Academy' seeks to help youth

In 2019, the Myrtle Beach Police Department will present the first session of "Guardian Academy," a new program for parents, guardians and various other caregivers to provide assistance and access to education and resources.  The program's purpose is to promote, reinforce and strengthen relationships within families, benefiting the young people in our Myrtle Beach community.

“We at the city are passionate about helping our community’s children and teens.  The goal of this new program is to provide educational materials and information about available resources to the guardians of our young people,” said Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock.

Accepted program participants will include parents, guardians, grandparents, coaches, teachers, counselors, caregivers, day care workers, social workers and case managers.  They are the ones who interact with our youth and can intervene and provide advice about issues young people are facing.

The free program helps equip participants with the necessary communication tools and educational materials needed to tackle a variety of topics, including bullying, cyber-bullying, social media, drug trends, gangs, human trafficking and mental and behavioral health.  In addition, the program will offer basic knowledge about warning signs of risky adolescent behavior and signs of potential criminal activity.

Crime Prevention Officer Stephani James, who is coordinating the Guardian Academy, wants all parents and guardians to strongly consider joining the academy.  “We want to help guardians expand their guardian ‘tool kits.’  In our modern world, keeping our children and teens safe means knowing how to recognize and prevent negative behavior.”

Eligible applicants must be at least 18 and have no prior felony arrests.  Background checks will be conducted on all candidates.  To receive the Guardian Academy program certificate, participants must attend all four classes; no make-up sessions will be available.

Registration is now underway!  Classes begin Monday evening, July 8, 2019, and all class dates and topics are listed below.  Sessions take place at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot, 851 Broadway Street.  The deadline to apply for this first program is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 4, 2019.  For more information or an application, visit https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/i_want_to/apply_for/guardian_academy.php.  Or, contact Myrtle Beach Police Department Crime Prevention Officer Stephani James at 843-918-1806 or sjames@cityofmyrtlebeach.com. 

Here are the dates, times and session topics….

Session I:  6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 8, 2019

  • Bullying and Cyber-Bullying
  • Internet Safety
  • Social Media
  • Social Trends

Session II:  6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 15, 2019

  • Behavioral and Mental Health
  • Healthy Relationships
  • Suicide Awareness and Prevention
  • Teen Brain Development

Session III:  6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 23, 2019

  • Human Trafficking

Session IV:  6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 29, 2019

  • Current Drug and Gang Trends