OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFETY
We are proud and respectful of the trust parents place in our YMCA. A safe environment for children combined with quality programming is an important part of our focus on youth development. Our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are part of everything we do. We place great value on providing the most child-safe environment possible and creating an atmosphere where children can grow and thrive.
Failure by staff or volunteers to follow the policies and procedures could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Any staff or volunteers that are suspected of abuse will be suspended immediately and will be referred to the appropriate authorities.
If a member has a concern or would like to report any suspicious activities, please report it to a Member Service Representative the front desk immediately. For more information or questions please contact the Y.
WE TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE:
- No one staff member or volunteer is allowed to be alone with just one child in an unobservable area.
- All children under 13 years of age or not yet in 8th grade must be accompanied by an adult.
- All visitors (guest and non-members) must present a valid ID and sign in to enter the Y.
- Staff and volunteers are prohibited from contacting youth outside of the YMCA program.
- Staff and volunteers are mandated to report any suspected child abuse.
IN ADDITION THE VALLEY SHORE YMCA ALSO REQUIRES:
- Detailed employment application forms.
- Comprehensive reference checks that include standardized questions that assess risk for abuse.
- Criminal Offender Record Information check & Sexual Offender Registry Information check.
- All staff complete an extensive Child Abuse Prevention Training Program.
- Supervisors complete additional training to further promote a child safe environment.
- Youths will be treated with respect at all times.
- Youths will be treated fairly regardless of race, sex, age, religion, culture, economic level of family or disability.
- Staff will portray a positive role model for youth by maintaining an attitude of loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact and maturity.
- Staff and volunteers will adhere to uniform standards of displaying affection as outlined by our organization.
- Staff and volunteers will adhere to uniform standards of appropriate and inappropriate verbal interactions as outlined by our organization.
- Staff and volunteers will respect children’s rights to not be touched or looked at in ways that make them uncomfortable, and will respect their right to say no.
- Staff and volunteers will not date or become romantically involved with youths.
- Staff and volunteers will comply with our organization’s policies regarding interactions with youths outside of our programs.
- Staff and volunteers will not engage in inappropriate electronic communication with youths.
- Staff will refrain from intimate displays of affection toward others in the presence of children, parents and staff.
- Staff and volunteers will not use or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs in the presence of youths.
- Staff must appear clean, neat and appropriately attired.
- Smoking or use of tobacco during the working hours or in the presence of children or families is prohibited.
- Possession or use of any type of weapon or explosive device is prohibited.
- Profanity, inappropriate jokes, sharing intimate details of one’s personal life, and any kind of harassment in the presence of children, parents, volunteers or other staff is prohibited.
- All staff are responsible for reporting any suspicious behavior and taking further action if they reasonably suspect that abuse has or may be occurring.
