Child & Teen Safety
SAFETY IS OUR #1 PRIORITY. NOW & ALWAYS.
Our deepest commitment is to our Club Members, and we recognize the importance of transparency with our families, partners, and communities. We believe in fostering spaces that are equipped with trained and caring professionals, comprehensive safety policies, and the tools needed to ensure that every child feels safe when they walk into our Clubs.
PROMOTING A CULTURE OF SAFETY
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, our commitment to quality includes effectively training and guiding our team members so that they are prepared and equipped to serve our youth.
Actively Collaborating with Safety Partners
Along with working with our National Office programs, such as the Child Safety Advisory Task Force and Mental Health First Aid, we engage the local community through partnerships that lend a hand in ensuring our youth and facilities are safe.
Adhering to Policies & Best Practices
Our organization complies with all local and State laws, including those impacting facilities and transportation. We also have a comprehensive policy and procedure plan, execute annual safety assessments, and host safety retreats.
OUR RESPONSE
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, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay members and staff have access to a confidential 24-hour toll-free Child Safety Hotline, 866-607-SAFE (7233) or email SafeClub@Praesidiuminc.com.
MANDATORY BACKGROUND CHECKS
Mandatory criminal background checks are required every year for every staff and board member at Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay. In addition, criminal background checks are required for any volunteer who has direct contact with children.
REQUIRED IMMEDIATE REPORTING
Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay 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 RETREATS
Ongoing training and supervision of staff is critical. We participate in a wide variety of child safety training conducted both nationally and locally. 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.