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Child Safety is our Number One Priority
The safety and protection of the children we serve is always our number one priority. Our organization is committed to the highest standards of safety and integrity and has zero tolerance for behavior that harms children.
With the support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national Child & Club Safety Department, we implement a comprehensive safety approach that reinforces our own best practices including:
Mandatory Background Checks
All BGCAA employees and volunteers undergo a thorough criminal background check before joining the organization. Staff and volunteers are immediately placed into a subsequent arrest program with the DOJ/FBI, and BGCAA is updated automatically on any arrests.
Required Immediate Reporting
Boys & Girls Club staff are all Mandated Reporters and are therefore required to report any suspected child abuse to Child Protective Services. Our Licensed Clinical Worker provides Mandated Reporting training to all new hires. BGCAA staff are required to report any critical incident/safety concern to local authorities immediately. They are also required to report any critical incident to Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours.
Safety Plan
Safety Policies
Safety Training
Mandatory Annual Safety Assessments
Mandatory Employee Reference
State and Local Laws
24-Hour Toll Free Child Safety Hotline
Boys & Girls Clubs of America also advocated for the passage of the U.S. PROTECT Act, which improved background screening systems and access. We have also partnered with the FBI, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the Centers for Disease Control to contribute to the development of safety practices that benefit ALL youth-serving organizations.To learn more about our national safety policies and actions, please visit Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Child Safety page here.