Safety

The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County has implemented a comprehensive set of safety protocols that ensure the protection of young individuals. These policies are designed to safeguard the well-being of youth and encompass a wide range of measures that are strictly enforced by the Club. The policies cover various aspects of safety and aim to mitigate potential risks that may arise in the context of Club activities. The Club’s commitment to safety is reflected in its unwavering adherence to these policies, which serve as a cornerstone of its mission to provide a secure and nurturing environment for its members. Some of our safety protocols include:

• Background check and drug screening policies
• Bathroom policy
• Transportation policy
• Social media policy
• Technology policy
• The Club prohibits private one-on-one contact

Mandatory Background Checks: The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County mandates that all staff undergo mandatory criminal background checks upon hire, and subsequently at least annually. Additionally, volunteers who have direct contact with children are required to undergo criminal background checks. To ensure a safe environment for children, all potential employees and volunteers are screened through the National Sex Offender Registry.

Required Immediate Reporting: As per our organization’s policies and legal obligations, all members of the Club staff and volunteers are designated as mandated reporters. It is incumbent upon us to report any serious incidents or safety concerns that come to our attention to the relevant local authorities without delay. Furthermore, any critical incident must be reported to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours. This is a necessary and crucial measure to ensure the safety and well-being of the club’s members and to maintain the standards of professional conduct expected of our organization.

Mandatory Annual Safety Assessments: As part of our Club’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment for all, we conduct an annual safety assessment. This assessment is designed to identify areas where safety can be improved and to ensure that our Club remains up-to-date with the latest safety standards and regulations. By conducting this assessment on a regular basis, we can continually make improvements to our safety procedures and protocols, which helps to protect our members, staff, and visitors. Our dedication to safety is paramount, and we take this responsibility very seriously.

Safety Trainings: The ongoing training and supervision of both staff and volunteers are of utmost importance in ensuring the safety of children. To this end, a wide variety of child safety training programs are conducted on a continuous basis. These training programs include both webinars and in-person sessions. The training and supervision of staff and volunteers are critical components in ensuring the safety and well-being of our Club kids.

Safety Committee: The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County has established a dedicated safety committee to provide oversight, input, and guidance on local policies and safety strategies. The committee has identified several priorities and initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of its members. These include but are not limited to:

• Updating security for our facility, including new cameras and secure entry features,
• Reviewing emergency procedure training and processes,
• Reviewing and updating safety policies and procedures as needed.

Mandatory Employee Reference: Employees who intend to transfer to another Boys & Girls Club are required to present a reference from their previous Club, regardless of whether the Clubs are situated within the same community. This policy is in place to ensure a smooth transition for both the employee and the new Club. We kindly request that employees adhere to this requirement to facilitate a positive experience for all parties involved.

State and Local Laws: Our organization adheres to all applicable safety regulations at the federal, state, and local levels, including those that pertain to our facilities and vehicles. We recognize the importance of complying with these laws to ensure the well-being of our employees, customers, and the general public. As such, we maintain a rigorous approach to safety management and continuously evaluate and update our practices to meet the highest standards.

Continued Commitment: In July 2020, all local Boys & Girls Clubs voted to adopt additional safety measures to further improve safety within our Clubs. Many of these practices were already in place, however, Boys & Girls Clubs determined these practices should be mandatory for all Clubs. These measures include more stringent reference and background checks, enhanced Club Safety Committee requirements for all Clubs, greater communication of key safety resources and information available for staff and members, and more.

Nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has advocated the passage of the U.S. PROTECT Act, which improved background screening systems and access. The national organization has 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.

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 at The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County. To learn more about our national safety policies and actions, please visit Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Child Safety page, here.