Safety
Committed to keeping children safe
Culture of Safety
BGCPBC continually updates robust safety policies, programs and training for our staff and volunteers that are designed to promote child safety and protect young people from threats that are present in our society.
Safety Policies
BGCPBC has comprehensive safety policies in place that protect our Club members – including, but not limited to, supervision, transportation, communication and prohibiting private one-on-one contact. Our Employee Handbook and Club Operations Manual include layers of safety policies and operational guidelines to keep our kids safe. We continually improve and add to these on a regular basis.
Mandatory Background Checks
Safety begins upon an employee’s offer of employment with a Drug Screening and a Level II criminal background check, which is the most stringent level of background check required by the Department of Children and Families/Agency for Healthcare Administration for individuals working with children.
The Level II background check includes Florida and FBI Criminal History and Florida Abuse History (Florida Child Abuse and Neglect Registry), and Sex Offender Registry. Background screenings for all BGCPBC employees are updated annually, and we have a random drug screening process that is conducted monthly.
Required Immediate Reporting
BGCPBC staff and volunteers are all mandated reporters. We are required to report any critical incident/safety concern to local authorities immediately. We are also required to report any critical incident to Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours.
Mandatory Annual Safety Assessments
We complete a safety assessment each year to ensure we continually make improvements to safety at our Clubs.
Safety Trainings
Ongoing training and supervision of staff is critical. New employees participate in a week-long onboarding process. Our policies and procedures are thoroughly reviewed with new staff. Staff communicate their understanding of the policies by signing an acknowledgment form. Our safety training team continues their staff training on these policies year-round to keep these critical child and employee safety measures top of mind of all BGCPBC staff.
We also engage leading third-party safety experts to provide guidance for our policies and approaches, including Praesidium, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the National Children’s Advocacy Center.
Safety Committee
BGCPBC has a dedicated board-led safety committee to provide input and guidance on local policies and safety strategies. In order to elevate safety to the highest level we have annual safety assessments conducted by third-party evaluators.
Secure Facilities
Safety is not complete without the commitment to keep our facilities safe – both for our Club Members and staff. We invest nearly $250,000 annually on facility improvements and safety equipment such as high definition, night vision cameras in each room at our Clubs
Mandatory Employee Reference
Any employee interested in moving to another Boys & Girls Club is required to have a reference from the previous Club, even if the Clubs are within the same community.
State And Local Laws
We comply with federal, state and local safety laws, including those impacting facilities and vehicles.
Safety Partnerships
Nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs of America works with leading experts in the areas of safety, security and technology to develop state-of-the-art solutions for Clubs. Partners include: National Child Safety Advisory Task Force, made up of leading experts and organizations Blue Ribbon Taskforce, comprised of local Club leaders charged with providing input on the safety direction and key safety initiatives, Mental Health First Aid, a national program that teaches skills to recognize and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse, and Crisis Text Line, a confidential text message service for youth in times of crisis.
Locally, we partner with:
24-hour Toll-free Child Safety Hotline
We encourage all staff, members and families to report any incident or situation they feel is unsafe. Through our national partnership with Praesidium, one of the nation’s leading safety experts, BGCPBC members and staff have access to a confidential 24-hour toll-free Child Safety Hotline, 866-607-SAFE (7233) or email SafeClub@Praesidiuminc.com.
MORE CONFIDENTIAL HELP:
National Child Abuse Hotline
Provides free 24/7 access for adults and youth to professional child abuse crisis counselors who offer crisis intervention and confidential referrals.
Child Safety Helpline
Provides employees, volunteers, parents, and youth with an anonymous helpline for reporting of suspicious or inappropriate behaviors regarding children.
Ethics Point Hotline
Provides employees, volunteers and parents anonymous reporting of any unethical or illegal workplace activities.
Crisis Text Line Text CLUB to 741741
Provides free 24/7 access for adults and youth to confidential support with professional crisis counselors.
Opioid and Substance Abuse
Although opioid use is low among youth, many communities have high rates of use among adults. Exposure to substance use and misuse can traumatize youth, and the experience of this trauma predisposes them to future substance use to other negative health outcomes into adulthood. Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is committed to helping the community and work to prevent and reduce the negative impact of opioid and substance abuse among all youth. For additional information that could help, we have provided resources for your well being and to keep you informed.
America’s young people deserve nothing less than our constant focus on their safety and our firm commitment to protect every child who is entrusted to our care. To learn more about our national safety policies and actions, please visit Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Child Safety page, here.
Connect with Us
Do you have questions about the Club? Reach out and connect with us.
Address
800 Northpoint Parkway Suite 204,
West Palm Beach, Florida 33407
Social
Thank you to our partners
