Ensuring child safety is fundamental to the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County.
The safety and well-being of young people is our number one priority.
We work every day to create a safe, inclusive, and fun environment so kids and teens can have every opportunity to be successful in life. We have no tolerance for inappropriate behavior of any kind.
Culture of Safety
Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County (BGCLC) continually updates robust safety policies, programs, and training for staff and volunteers that promote child safety and protect young people from threats in our society. These resources include but are not limited to:
- Annual training on updated safety response procedures
- Annual training on sexual abuse prevention
- Bi-Monthly safety committee meetings with internal and external professionals
Safety Policies
BGCLC maintains comprehensive safety policies that protect youth, including but not limited to policies on supervision, transportation, and communication.
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 experts, BGCLC members and staff have access to a confidential 24-hour toll-free Child Safety Hotline at 866-607-SAFE (7233) or SafeClub@Praesidiuminc.com.
Mandatory Background Checks
Mandatory criminal background checks are required upon hire and annually for every staff and board member at BGCLC. In addition, criminal background checks are required for any volunteer who has direct, repetitive contact with children.
Required Immediate Reporting
BGCLC staff and volunteers are mandated reporters and must report any critical incident or safety concern to local authorities immediately. We must also report any critical incident to Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours.
Mandatory Annual Safety Assessments
We employ a multi-tiered safety assessment approach to ensure we continually improve safety at all Club locations.
Safety Training
Ongoing training and supervision of staff are critical. We participate in various child safety training through online courses and in-person training sessions.
Safety Committee
BGCLC has a dedicated board-led safety committee to provide input and guidance on local policies and safety strategies. Priorities and initiatives include:
- Review of incident reports and safety responses
- Review of safety training and procedures
- Review of physical safety upgrades and initiatives
Mandatory Employee Reference
Any employee interested in moving to another Boys & Girls Club must have a reference from their previous Club, even if the Clubs are within the same community.
Safety Partnerships
Nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs of America works with leading safety, security, and technology experts 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 Taskforce, composed of local Club leaders who provide input on 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
Larimer County’s young people deserve nothing less than our constant focus on their safety and our firm commitment to protecting every child who enters our Club doors. Please visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Child Safety page to learn more about our national safety policies.