KEEPING KIDS SAFE HEADERS (3)

Protecting Children at the Y

The YMCA is committed to providing a safe environment for every person who enters our doors, most importantly children who are entrusted to our care. As an organization, we take the following actions to keep kids safe in our Y facilities, camps and programs and to maintain the reputation of safety we have built during our 160+ year history.

PREVENTION

The Y does not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of children in its programs by an adult or the mistreatment or abuse of one child by another child, including any behavior that is classified under the definition of bullying. Staff, volunteers, and the children in our programs are expected to act in a caring, honest, respectful, and responsible manner. Staff and volunteers abide by the Child Protection Code of Conduct.

Child Protection Code of Conduct

In summary, these abuse prevention procedure ensure our staff and volunteers provide sight and sound supervision and are NEVER alone with a child (including outside of Y programs) as well as practice appropriate touch, talk, and electronic communications with children. The YMCA’s procedures also seek to eliminate privacy in abuse high risk areas like restrooms, locker rooms, playgrounds, buses or any hidden/out of the way space and to especially ensure appropriate care during intimate and vulnerable activities like diapering, naptime and overnight programming.