Club Member Safety is our #1 Priority

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley, safety is foundational to everything we do. We strive to create safe places where youth and staff thrive, and we are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment at all times. To ensure the safety of our operations and services, we have developed an extensive Child and Club Safety Policy and Procedures located at (Click here). A summary of these policies and procedures are outlined below.

 

Child Abuse. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for child abuse of any kind (neglect, physical, emotional, sexual).

 

Mandated Reporting. Every staff member or volunteer who becomes aware of or has suspicion of child abuse or neglect must immediately report it to their supervisor. Club leadership is responsible for reporting the incident immediately to the appropriate authorities according to statewide mandated reporting laws. In Georgia, we report by calling 855-422-4453.

 

No One-on One Interaction. Staff and volunteers may not initiate one-on-one contact or communication (in-person, online, phone, text, social media, etc.) with a member, have a private meeting with a member or transport one member at a time.

 

Safety Training. All employees and volunteers who have direct repetitive contact with young people, participate in multiple training programs covering child abuse prevention, grooming, mandated reporting and more. These training programs occur before they are hired or permitted to volunteer and on an annual basis.

 

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace. Employees and volunteers are prohibited from reporting to work or working while under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal or unauthorized drugs. Employees and volunteers are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful or unauthorized manufacturing, distribution, dispensing, sale or possession of illegal drugs and alcohol in the workplace, on organization premises, in organization vehicles or while engaged in organization activities.

 

Volunteer and Employee Screening. We extensively screen employees before permitting them to work with our organization. The screening process includes (a) a national, criminal background check that looks at their criminal history and the national Sex Offender Registry, (b) fingerprinting through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, (c) drug testing, and (d) reference checks.

 

To report concerns or ask for help:

 

1. National Child Abuse Hotline – call or text: 800-422-4453
2. Child Safety Helpline: 866-607-SAFE (7233)
3. Ethics Point Hotline: 866-295-3701 or ethicspoint.com
4. Crisis Text Line: Text CLUB to 741741
5. Georgia Child Protective Services: 855-422-4453