Safety is our First Priority

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County, we incorporate national best practice safety standards and work with other community organizations to consistently strengthen our safety programming through new trainings and policies, such as:

Adults should never be alone with a young person in a private or isolated setting. Our 3+ rule requires that interactions with youth take place in settings where at least three people are present, whenever possible. This helps create transparency, provides additional supervision, and reduces opportunities for inappropriate interactions. We also maintain safety practices related to supervision, transportation, communication, technology, facilities, and other activities involving young people.

Our staff and volunteers are mandated reporters. This means we are legally required to report suspected child abuse and neglect.

When a staff member or volunteer has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, the concern must be reported to the appropriate local law enforcement authorities and to Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours, in accordance with applicable requirements.

Our responsibility is to take concerns seriously, act promptly, and prioritize the safety of the young person.

We take care in determining who is entrusted with the safety and wellbeing of young people.

All staff and board members undergo criminal background screening annually. Volunteers who have direct contact with children are also required to complete background screening.

Screenings are conducted by a third-party provider and include checks of applicable child abuse and sex offender registries, as well as county, state, and national criminal records.

Screening is conducted before individuals begin working with or serving young people and is repeated annually as required by our safety practices.

Background screening is one part of our broader approach to child safety. It works alongside ongoing training, supervision, reporting requirements, and safety policies.

Child safety requires ongoing education and vigilance.

Staff receive regular training on topics including:

• Mandated reporting
• Preventing, recognizing, and responding to child abuse
• Appropriate boundaries and interactions with youth
• Supervision of children
• Emergency response
  First Aid and CPR
• Mental health and crisis response
• Other safety practices relevant to their roles

We also work with leading child safety organizations and experts, including Praesidium, to strengthen our policies and practices.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County has zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior, misconduct, or abuse of any kind, including child abuse, sexual abuse, and exploitation. We take all safety concerns seriously and are committed to preventing, recognizing, and responding to inappropriate behavior to protect every young person in our care.

Creating a safe environment is an ongoing commitment.

We regularly review our safety policies and practices, complete safety assessments, and look for ways to strengthen our approach. Our safety committee provides additional guidance and oversight as we evaluate local safety needs and strategies.

We also comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to child safety, facilities, transportation, and the operation of our programs.

Most importantly, we want young people and their families to know that their safety matters to us. If something does not feel right, we want you to speak up.