Child Safety is Our #1 Priority

  • The Safety and Well-being of Young People is Our Number One Priority: We work every day to create a safe, fun environment kids can have every opportunity to be successful in life. We have ZERO tolerance for inappropriate behavior of any kind, including child sexual abuse or misconduct, and we provide significant resources to ensure this priority is achieved.
  • Culture of Safety: Boys & Girls Clubs of Aberdeen Area continually update robust safety policies, programs, and training for our staff and volunteers. These policies are designed to promote child safety and protect young people from threats that are present in our society.
  • Safety Policies: Boys & Girls Clubs of Aberdeen Area have comprehensive safety policies in place that protect youth including, but not limited to, supervision, transportation, and communication and prohibiting one-on-one contact with anyone under the age of 18.
  • 24-hour Toll-Free Child Safety Hotline: We require all staff, members, and families to report any incident or situation they feel is unsafe. Through our national partnership with Presidium, one of the nation’s leading safety experts, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Aberdeen Area 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 & Drug Testing Checks: Conduct criminal background checks every 12 months on all employees, as well as all volunteers who have direct, repetitive contact with children, through the South Dakota Department of Children & Families Background Screening Clearinghouse. Background checks must also meet Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) membership requirements. In addition, BGCAA is a “drug-free” workplace. All prospective employees and volunteers are pre-screened and subject to random drug testing throughout the year.
  • Safe Passage Policy: BGCAA requires all members to scan in and out each day with their KidTraxcard. In addition, members may not leave the club unescorted unless they are 12 years and older and have included in their membership application written parent/guardian consent.
  • Required Immediate Reporting: Boys & Girls Clubs of Aberdeen Area 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 conduct a safety assessment each year to ensure we continually make improvements to safety at our Clubs.
  • Safety Training: Ongoing training and supervision of staff are critical. We participate in a wide variety of child safety training each year. We also engage leading third-party safety experts to guide our policies and procedures.
  • Safety Committee: Boys & Girls Clubs of Aberdeen Area has a dedicated safety committee to provide input and guidance on local policies and safety strategies.
  • State and Local Laws: We comply with federal, state, and local safety laws, including those impacting facilities and vehicles.
  • Safety Partnerships: Locally, we partner with local law enforcement agencies where our clubs are located(Brown County Sheriff’s Office and Aberdeen Police Department.) as well as 3rd party Safety Consultants and various outside agencies committed to the protection of our youth.


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 Task Force 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.
  • Crisis Text Line, a confidential text message service for youth in times of crisis.


U.S. PROTECT ACT

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.


BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA

America’s young people deserve nothing less than our constant focus on their safety and our firm commitment to protecting every child who is entrusted to our care at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Aberdeen Area. To learn more about our national safety policies and actions, please visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Child Safety page (please click the button below):

Boys & Girls Clubs of America Safety Page

Child Safety is Job No. 1

Ensuring child safety is fundamental to the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs


The safety of young people at Boys & Girls Clubs is always our top priority. Youth who are mentally and physically safe are better able to learn, grow, and thrive. Boys & Girls Clubs of America works continuously to enhance safety policies, practices, and trainings to ensure they are centered on youth’s needs. There is nothing more important to us than keeping children safe and protected.


Boys & Girls Clubs do not tolerate inappropriate behavior of any kind, including child sexual abuse or misconduct. From strict adherence to policies and guidelines within Club facilities and staffing structure, to equipping young people with the critical thinking and social-emotional skills to make healthy, safe choices, ensuring Club members are safe is the first step to their success.


Boys & Girls Clubs of America advocated for the passage of the U.S. PROTECT ACT, which improved background screening systems and access, and is proud to partner with the following organizations to develop safety practices that benefit ALL youth-serving organizations.

Parent Safety Resources