Boys & Girls Club of Collier County

CHILD SAFETY

Ensuring Child Safety is Fundamental to the mission of
the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County

Opioid Awareness & Drug Prevention

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County

Safety Policies

Culture of Safety

The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County continually updates robust safety policies, programs and training for our staff and volunteers that are designed to promote child safety and protect young people from threats that are present in our society. We implement layers of safety policies and guidelines to keep our kids safe.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY

Commitment and Zero Tolerance

The priority of Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is the physical and emotional safety of its members, staff, and volunteers. Boys & Girls Club of Collier County maintains a zero-tolerance policy for child abuse. Boys & Girls Club of Collier County implements policies and procedures for members, employees, volunteers, visitors or any victims of sexual abuse or misconduct to report any suspicion or allegation of abuse.

Definitions

One-on-Contact Prohibition
Boys & Girls Club of Collier County prohibits isolated one-on-one interaction between Club participants and staff or volunteers, including board members. This includes prohibiting one-on-one contact at any time at the Club, in vehicles or by phone, text, social media or any other means.

Exceptions may only be made when delivering approved medical or counseling services by a licensed, trained therapist or similar professional according to professional guidelines. All staff and volunteers, including minor staff (under age 18), are strictly prohibited from meeting Club participants outside of any Club-sponsored activities. The only exception to this rule is if the Club participant is a child or sibling of a staff member or volunteer.

Child Abuse
Child abuse is when an adult or another child, whether through action or by failing to act, causes serious emotional or physical harm to a child. Sexual abuse or misconduct may include but is not limited to:

  • Any sexual activity, involvement or attempt of sexual contact with a person who is a minor (under 18 years old).
  • Sexual activity with another who is legally incompetent.
  • Physical assault or sexual violence, such as rape, statutory rape, abuse, molestation, or any attempt to commit such acts.
  • Unwanted and intentional physical conduct that is sexual in nature, such as touching, pinching, patting, brushing, massaging someone’s neck or shoulders and/or pulling against another’s body or clothes.
  • Inappropriate activities, advances, comments, bullying, gestures, electronic communications, or messages (e.g., by email, text, or social media).

Grooming

Grooming is when someone builds an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or trafficking. Grooming behaviors may include but are not limited to:

  • Targeting specific youth for special attention, activities, or gifts.
  • Isolating youth from family members and friends physically or emotionally. This can include one-on-one interactions such as sleepovers, camping trips and day activities.
  • Gradually crossing physical boundaries, full-frontal hugs that last too long, lap sitting or other “accidental” touches.
Mandated Reporting

Every staff member or volunteer of Boys & Girls Club of Collier County who becomes aware of or has suspicion of child abuse or neglect must immediately report to Club leadership. Club leadership is responsible for reporting the incident immediately to the appropriate authorities according to statewide mandated reporting laws, as well as to Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) within 24 hours via the critical incident system.

Required Training

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County conducts and reports through a BGCA-approved process the following training for all staff members and volunteers with direct repetitive contact with young people (at the intervals noted for each).

Before providing services to young people, and annually thereafter:

  • BGCA-approved child abuse prevention
  • BGCA-approved mandated reporting
  • BGCA-approved grooming prevention

Annually:

  • All the policies, including all safety policies, for Boys & Girls Club of Collier County.
Physical Interactions

Every staff member and volunteer of Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is required to maintain appropriate physical contact with minors. Appropriate and inappropriate interactions include but are not limited to the following:

Appropriate

  • Side hugs
  • Handshakes
  • High-fives and hand slapping
  • Holding hands (with young children in escorting situations)

Inappropriate

  • Full-frontal hugs or kisses
  • Showing affection in isolated area
  • Lap sitting
  • Wrestling or piggyback/shoulder rides
  • Tickling
  • Allowing youth to cling to an adult’s leg

Verbal Interactions

Every staff member and volunteer of Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is required to maintain appropriate verbal interactions with minors. Appropriate and inappropriate interactions include but are not limited to the following:

Appropriate

  • Positive reinforcement
  • Child-appropriate jokes (no adult content)
  • Encouragement
  • Praise

Inappropriate

  • Name calling
  • Inappropriate jokes (adult-only content)
  • Discussing sexual encounters or personal issues
  • Secrets
  • Profanity or derogatory remarks
  • Harsh language that may frighten, threaten, or humiliate youth
Abuse & Safety Resources

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County prominently displays BGCA-approved collateral that shares ethics hotline, crisis textline and safety helpline information with members, staff, volunteers, and families. We also share all safety policies with parents and guardians upon receiving a youth membership application.

PROHIBITION OF PRIVATE ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTION POLICY

Core Requirements

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is committed to providing a safe environment for members, staff, and volunteers. To further ensure their safety, the organization prohibits all one-on-one interactions between Club members and staff and volunteers (including board members). All staff and volunteers must abide by the following:

  • Ensure all meetings and communications between members and staff or volunteers are never private (see definition below).
  • Ensure in-person meetings take place in areas where other staff and/or members are present.
  • Communicate to another staff member whenever an emergency arises that necessitates an exception to this policy.
  • Never initiate private or isolated one-on-one contact with a member.
  • Never have a private or isolated meeting or communication with a member. This includes in-person meetings and virtual communications such as texting, video chat and social media between only a staff member or volunteer and a single member.
  • Never transport one Club member at a time. This includes transportation in Club or leased vehicles.
  • Exceptions may only be made when delivering medical or counseling services by a licensed, trained therapist or similar professional. All exceptions shall be documented and provided to Club leadership in advance.
  • If an emergency arises that necessitates an exception to this policy, the emergency exception shall be communicated to Club leadership as soon as practicable, and ideally before engaging in one-on-one interaction.
One-on-One Interaction Policy Guidance

Definition of One-on-One Interaction
One-on-one interaction is defined as any private contact or communication (including electronic communication) between any Club participant and an adult, including adult staff, minor staff, volunteers, board members and others who might encounter members during regular programming and activities.

Private Contact/Communication
Private contact/communication is any communication, in person or virtual, that is between one youth member and one adult (18 or over) that takes place in a secluded area, is not in plain sight and/or is done without the knowledge of others. Private places can include but are not limited to vehicles, rooms without visibility to others, private homes, and hotel rooms.

Examples of private contact include but are not limited to:

  • Meeting behind closed doors (in rooms without windows or visible sightlines) or any spaces that are not visible to others.
  • One staff member transporting one member in a vehicle.
  • Electronic communications (text, video, social media, etc.) between one member and one staff member or volunteer.

Public Contact/Communication
Public contact/communication is any communication or meeting, in person or virtual, that is between at least three individuals, including two staff and one member, one staff and two members or variations of these combinations.

Examples of public contact include but are not limited to:

  • Meeting in plain sight of others (e.g., in a quiet corner of an active games room).
  • Transporting members via public transportation (bus, taxis, train, air, etc.) or transporting multiple members.
  • Electronic communications (text, video, social media, etc.) between multiple members and adults (e.g., group chats).
  • Public places can include but are not limited to buses, airports, shopping malls, restaurants, and schools.

Impact on Mentoring Programs

Mentorship is a key component of Boys & Girls Club of Collier County programming and has tremendous positive impact on members. Prohibition of one-on-one interaction does not have to negatively affect mentor programs and/or relationship building. Mentors can adjust their practices to include:

  • Holding mentor and coaching sessions in areas where other staff and/or members are present or can see you, for example, in large rooms where meetings are visible but not heard.
  • Copying parents, staff, or other members (when appropriate) on written and/or electronic communications.
  • Scheduling meetings during Club hours and at the Club site.
  • Documenting interactions between mentors and youth.

Impact on Partnerships with Local Mentoring Organizations

  • All local mentors are required to abide by Club policies, including background check requirements and prohibition of one-on-one interaction.
  • External mentors are required to abide by all Club safety policies and procedures.
  • A written agreement should be in place to determine how and when the external organization assumes custody and responsibility of the member; these procedures should be clearly communicated to parents or guardians.
  • Every interaction between mentor and youth will be documented and maintained.

Impact on Travelling to Off-Site Events and Activities

When travelling to external events such as Keystone, Youth of the Year or other off-site events, the one-on-one policy shall continue to be followed.

  • One staff member should not transport one single child at any time in a vehicle.
  • Accommodations shall be made to ensure at least three people (two staff and one member or one staff and two members) are together when traveling.
  • As an alternative, public transportation may be used (e.g., taxi, Uber, public transport).

If this arrangement presents staffing or budget challenges, consider the following:

  • Inviting parents or guardians to attend and/or chaperone their child.
  • Including additional youth (e.g., Junior Youth of the Year) and/or staff in travel plans.
  • Coordinating with other Clubhouses or nearby organizations to travel together.
  • Travelling with additional staff or members.

Parents and guardians should also provide written consent in each instance in which a member travels to any off-site event. NOTE: Parents or guardians are never allowed to provide consent for one-on-one interaction. Similar practices should be in place when coordinating field trips.

Impact on Transportation to and From the Club

When transporting members to and/or from a Club-sponsored event or activity, single members should not be transported alone with one staff person. Consider the following to accommodate single children:

  • Modify bus or van routes so single children are not picked up first or dropped off last.
  • Use a bus aide if available.
  • Pick up and drop off children in groups.
  • Modify staff schedules to ensure multiple staff are present.

Exceptions to Policy

Exceptions to the one-on-one policy can be made under the following circumstances:

  • When delivering medical or counseling services by a licensed, trained therapist or similar professional (e.g., counselors, social workers).
  • When the emotional or physical safety of a member is at risk and a private, one-on-one communication is deemed necessary by Club leadership.
  • In emergency situations that could create a safety risk (e.g., if a member is not picked up by a parent and leaving them alone at the Club could be a safety risk).

Should exceptions need to be made, the Club shall have policies in place to monitor interactions, including but not limited to:

  • Disclosing the meeting to Club leadership and regularly checking in with the member and adult during conversations.
  • Placing time limits on conversations.
  • Meeting in rooms with clear sight lines (e.g., rooms with windows or glass doors).
  • Documenting the interaction.
  • In an emergency, disclosing the situation to another staff member before engaging in one-on-one interaction.

SUPERVISION AND FACILITIES POLICY

Supervision

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is committed to providing a safe environment. All Club activities and program spaces shall always be under continuous supervision by sight or sound (for restroom supervision) by an appropriate adult staff (18 or over). To ensure appropriate supervision, staff, and volunteers:

  • Must abide by the prohibition of private one-on-one interaction policy.
  • Must abide by all the organization’s disciplinary policies and procedures.
  • Must ensure that at least one adult staff (18 and over) is present when supervising members.
  • Must always maintain proper supervision ratio maximum 1-20, field trips 1-10, and water trips 1-8.
  • Must be trained on appropriate supervision tactics and behavior patterns.
  • Must ensure that all youth staff and volunteers are supervised by an adult (18 and over) staff member.
  • Must immediately notify Club leadership and/or submit written reports detailing supervision issues, accidents, or critical incidents.
  • Must never use electronic devices such as cell phones, PDAs or other communication devices while supervising members unless for Club purposes, as defined in the Acceptable Technology Use Policy.
Restroom Usage

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is committed to providing a safe, clean environment and enforces the following restroom policy for members, staff, volunteers, and other adults:

  • There will be either a designated adult restroom or procedures to ensure adults and minors never utilize a restroom at the same time.
  • Club will either have single-user restrooms or multi-user restrooms with single stalls that can be secured from the inside.
  • When using restrooms at public facilities during field trips, a minimum of three youth will be escorted by one staff member, who will wait outside the main entrance of the restroom.
Restroom Monitoring

Restrooms shall be regularly monitored by designated staff according to a schedule set by Club leadership. Monitoring includes walk-throughs, inspections and/or any (but not necessarily all) of the best practices outlined below:

  • Implementing procedures to limit the number of children using restrooms at the same time.
  • Prohibiting younger children and teens from sharing a restroom.
  • Positioning staff near restroom entries to maintain auditory supervision of space.
  • Designing or renovating multi-user restrooms to eliminate outer doors, while maintaining privacy with individual stalls.

Staff observing unacceptable restroom conditions or incidents shall:

  • Immediately notify Club leadership of the incident.
  • Document, in writing, restroom conduct incidents and report them to Club leadership as soon as possible in compliance with the Club’s Incident Reporting Policy.
Entrance and Exit Control
  • All facility entries and exits shall be controlled and monitored by paid adult staff (18 or over) during all hours of operation, along with a system to monitor and track everyone who is in the facility.
  • All exit doors shall have an audible alarm to discourage unauthorized use to exit or enter the facility.
  • Only designated adult staff (18 or over) shall be authorized to possess keys and/or badges to open any facility. If an employee is supervising a scheduled activity, they shall be responsible for the security of their program space.
Facility Condition
  • All program spaces shall have clear lines of visibility and be monitored by adult staff when in use. Areas that are not in use shall remain locked and only accessible by adult staff.
  • All interior and exterior spaces, hallways, stairs, and stairways shall be monitored, maintained, well-lit, clean, and free of hazards and obstructions. All storage closets and other unused spaces are to be locked during operational hours.
  • Damages to facilities shall be repaired in a reasonable manner. Damages that pose imminent risk to the health and safety of members, staff or volunteers shall be repaired immediately. If immediate repair to damage that poses imminent risk is not possible, Club leadership shall determine whether temporary or permanent closure of the facility may be required. Any damage to a facility that results in an incident deemed critical to the organization shall be reported to the appropriate authorities as a critical incident.
Food and Drink

Any distribution, preparation, or consumption of food and/or drink at any facility shall comply with all applicable food services sanitation and public health codes. If food is prepared and served on site, required city or county health department inspection certificates shall be posted. Any dangerous kitchen utensils, including knives, shall be properly and securely stored.

SCREENING AND ONBOARDING POLICY

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is committed to selecting and retaining effective staff and volunteers to serve our youth. As part of the selection process and in accordance with state background check regulations, background checks and screening procedures are conducted in accordance with this policy.

Background Checks

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is committed to selecting and retaining effective staff and volunteers to serve our youth. As part of the selection process and in accordance with state background check regulations, background checks and screening procedures are conducted in accordance with this policy.

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County conducts criminal background checks of all employees, including minors; board volunteers and others who serve on a standing committee; and all other volunteers, including partners and minors, who have direct repetitive contact with minors.

Name-based or fingerprint-based record searches may be used in any combination, but the background check shall at a minimum:

  • Verify the person’s identity and legal aliases through verification of a social security number.
  • Provide a national Sex Offender Registry search.
  • Provide a comprehensive criminal search that includes a national search.
  • Provide a comprehensive local criminal search that includes either a statewide or county level criminal search, depending on jurisdiction (a current list of jurisdictions can be found at www.bgca.net/ childsafety).
  • Include any additional background check criteria required by organizational policies, funding or licensing agencies or required in the applicable jurisdiction, such as motor vehicle records, child abuse registry or credit checks.

Such checks will be conducted prior to employment and at regular intervals not to exceed twelve months. All background check findings shall be considered when making employment or volunteer decisions.

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County will not employ potential staff or engage potential volunteers if such individual:

a. Refuses to consent to a criminal background check.
b. Makes a false statement in connection with such criminal background check.
c. Is registered, or is required to be registered, on a state or national sex offender registry.
d. Has been convicted of a felony consisting of: murder; child abuse; domestic violence; abduction or human trafficking; a crime involving rape or sexual assault; arson; weapons; physical assault or battery; drug possession, use or distribution in the last five years.
e. Has been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony against children, including child pornography.

Interviewing

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County will conduct in-person behavioral-based interviews with every candidate for employment or program volunteer service. BGCA will provide behavioral-based interview questions for local use.

Reference Checks

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County conducts reference checks on any candidate for employment or volunteer with direct repetitive contact with young people. Should candidates for employment have previous experience with a Boys & Girls Club, information on the candidate’s eligibility for rehire/volunteering must be obtained from all previous Boys & Girls Clubs for which the candidate worked prior to extending an offer for employment or volunteer service. Additionally, Boys & Girls Club of Collier County provides reference materials when asked by other Member Organizations.

Staff & Volunteer Onboarding

Upon offer of a position, each new Club employee shall receive and confirm in writing receipt of an up-to-date employee policies and procedures manual or handbook that, at a minimum, articulates current: conditions of employment; benefits; rights and responsibilities of employees; Club safety policies; and any other important employment-related information.

Before working with any Club members, all staff and volunteers at a minimum shall be given an orientation that includes an overview of:

  • The organization’s mission, goals, policies and procedures and schedule.
  • Job descriptions and performance standards for their position.
  • The needs and other relevant characteristics of program participants, including cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
  • Personnel and volunteer policies and procedures, including expectations regarding work hours and schedules, breaks and planning time.
  • Operational policies and procedures related to safety, supervision, transportation, facilities, emergency operations, etc.
  • Completion of the required Child Abuse Prevention Trainings approved by BGCA.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL-FREE WORKPLACE POLICY - Opioid Awareness & Drug Prevention

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is committed to providing a safe environment for members, staff, and volunteers. To further ensure their safety, the organization maintains a drug- and alcohol-free workplace. The unlawful or improper use of drugs, including marijuana, controlled substances, or alcohol in the workplace, presents a danger to everyone. The organization also has a duty to comply with the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.

Key provisions include:

  • Employees are prohibited from reporting to work or working while under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal or unauthorized drugs.
  • Employees are prohibited from reporting to work or working when the employee is using any legal drugs; exceptions can be made in accordance with state law when the use is pursuant to a doctor’s orders and the doctor has advised the employee that the substance does not adversely affect the employee’s ability to safely perform his or her job duties.
  • Employees taking any legal drugs that potentially affect job safety or performance are responsible for notifying their supervisor and/or Club leadership.
  • Employees are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful or unauthorized manufacturing, distribution, dispensing, sale or possession of illegal drugs and alcohol in the workplace, including on organization paid time, on organization premises, in organization vehicles or while engaged in organization activities.
  • Employees must notify their supervisor and/or Club leadership immediately of any criminal drug or alcohol violation.
  • Violations may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
  • The Club reserves the right to take lawful actions necessary to enforce this policy, including inspection when reasonable suspicion exists.
Smoking Policy

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations regarding non-smoking in the workplace in order to provide a work environment that promotes productivity and the well-being of its employees. Smoking is restricted at all its facilities.

Smoking is defined to include the use of any tobacco-containing products, including cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, as well as the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaporizers. Smoking is prohibited at all Boys & Girls Clubs properties except for external areas where it is specifically authorized.

Reasonable Suspicion

Staff and or volunteers shall immediately notify Club leadership of any action by an employee or volunteer who demonstrates an unusual pattern of behavior suggesting that they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Club leadership will determine next steps in accordance with policy. Examples include odors; movements; eyes; face; speech; emotions; actions; inactions; and unusual patterns such as repeated absences or frequent accidents.

Inspection and Testing

BGCCC reserves the right to enforce the policy through lawful inspection and, where permitted, screening/testing. Refusal to submit to testing is a violation of policy. Records will be treated as confidential and held in separate medical files, with disclosures only as required by law.

Prescription Medication and Legal Drugs

Employees and volunteers are prohibited from reporting to work or working when using any legal drugs, except when the use is pursuant to a doctor’s orders and the doctor has advised the employee or volunteer that the substance does not adversely affect the ability to safely perform duties. Notification and accommodation processes apply when safety/performance could be impacted.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT POLICY

Clear reporting policies and procedures are an important element in responding to incidents that might occur in Clubhouses. Staff and volunteers must at a minimum immediately report and document all safety incidents that might affect staff, volunteers, members, and others who visit Clubhouses.

General Incident Description

Clear reporting policies and procedures are an important element in responding to incidents that might occur in Clubhouses. Safety incidents can include but are not limited to:

  • Inappropriate activity between adults (18 and over) and youth.
  • Inappropriate activity between multiple youth.
  • Allegations of abuse.
  • Bullying behavior.
  • Inappropriate electronic communications between adults (18 or over) and youth.
  • Minor and major medical emergencies.
  • Accidents, including slips and falls.
  • Threats made by or against staff, volunteers and/or members.
  • Physical assaults and injuries, including fights.
  • Missing children.
  • Criminal activity, including theft and robbery.
  • Other incidents as deemed appropriate by Club leadership.

Safety incidents include those that occur during Club programs, on Club premises and/or during a Club-affiliated program or trip.

Internal Incident Reporting

Any employee or volunteer who becomes aware of an incident shall immediately complete an incident report and submit it to Club leadership, including: date/location; incident details; witnesses; names involved; and notifications made.

External Incident Reporting

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County follows all applicable mandated reporting statutes and regulations and all applicable federal, state, and local laws for the protection and safety of youth. Reportable incidents include, but are not limited to, allegations of child abuse, child pornography, criminal activity, and missing children.

Incident Investigation

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County supports external investigations of all reported incidents and allegations or internal investigations by the Safety Committee when not externally reportable. Mandated reporting laws must be complied with before any internal investigation. If an incident involves an allegation against a staff member, volunteer or Club member, the Club shall suspend that individual immediately (employees with pay) and maintain the suspension throughout the course of the investigation.

BGCA Critical Incident Reporting

Each Member Organization shall immediately report any allegation of abuse or potential criminal matter to law enforcement and report designated critical incidents to BGCA within 24 hours, including child abuse allegations, missing children, major medical emergencies, certain legal matters, failures to comply with licensing requirements, felony-level acts, misappropriation of funds, negative media attention, and other incidents deemed critical.

TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is committed to providing a safe use of technology and online safety for members, staff, and volunteers. The acceptable use policy provides the framework for those safety practices and procedures.

Club Member Usage

Before a member will be allowed to use Club technology equipment or their personal device, both the member and his/her parent/guardian will need to read and sign the Technology Acceptable Use policy and return it to the Club. Principles include: authorized use; appropriate use; monitoring and inspection; loss and damage; communication standards; cyberbullying prohibitions; network security restrictions; internet access rules; parental notification and responsibility; digital citizenship expectations; training requirements; and guidelines for Club-owned technology use.

Staff and Volunteer Usage

Before a staff member can use Club technology equipment or a personal device, he/she shall read and sign the Technology Acceptable Use policy and return it to the Club. Principles include definitions of Club devices and personal devices; authorized use; appropriate use; monitoring and inspection; loss and damage; inappropriate communication prohibitions; cyberbullying prohibitions; restrictions on communicating with single Club members via personal devices; internet access requirements; password and access standards; and enforcement mechanisms.

TRANSPORTATION POLICY

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is committed to providing a safe environment and enforces the following transportation policy for members, staff, volunteers, and other adults. Boys & Girls Club of Collier County only provides transportation to and from the Clubhouse and various approved off-site locations. The Club only transports youth in Club vehicles or other vehicles approved by Club leadership.

Drivers:

Drivers must meet background and clearance requirements, maintain updated youth transport lists, complete post-trip seat-by-seat scans, ensure correct pick-up/drop-off procedures, document incidents, transport youth only in official Club vehicles, maintain minimum-person standards in vehicles, never transport youth in personal vehicles, and avoid device use while transporting.

Vehicle Requirements:

Vehicles must meet inspection and licensing requirements; be inspected prior to trips; be maintained; provide seat belts for all; include first-aid kits and fire extinguishers; include warning devices; and be clean and well maintained.

Shared-Use Restrooms (Field Trips/Public Facilities)

Youth shall follow the “rule of three,” adults provide auditory supervision, facilities should be monitored/cleared when possible, and “Occupied” signage practices may be used to limit entry during Club use.

Accident or Emergency Protocol

Drivers notify Club leadership immediately of delays/issues, and violations are reported with appropriate disciplinary action.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN POLICY

Through the appropriate use of Club and community resources, Boys & Girls Clubs strive to mitigate the immediate effects of an emergency and its long-term effects on Club operations and mission by being prepared to effectively respond to and recovery from an emergency.

Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County shall create and maintain an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery for fire; weather; lockdown; bomb threat; suspicious package; and a training/drill schedule. The EOP is developed and shared with local first responders.

EOP Annual Review

Leadership will maintain a board-led safety committee with oversight responsibility for the EOP and annual review updates.

First Aid and CPR Training

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County always maintains a minimum of one CPR- or first-aid-trained staff on site during all operating hours when members are being served.

Key Definitions

Emergency; mitigation; preparedness (including considerations for those with disabilities or special needs).

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE POLICY

Use of Video Surveillance

Video surveillance may be utilized in and around facilities, property, and transportation vehicles, in accordance with applicable laws, as an additional layer of protection.

Placement and Notification

Surveillance is not used in areas with expectation of privacy (locker rooms/restrooms). Signage and notification are provided as required by law. Systems may operate 24/7 and monitors are not placed for public viewing.

Access to Video Images

Supervised by executive and operations teams, with recording equipment secured and access limited to authorized personnel. Video may be used as evidence and is subject to subpoena/court order.

Unauthorized Access and/or Disclosure

Public viewing is restricted. Only authorized personnel may view/export. No unauthorized recordings of footage are permitted. Tampering is prohibited and subject to discipline.

Retention of Digital Images

Video kept for at least 30 days. Incident-related footage retained for one year or until legal matters resolve. Stored media kept on secured computer. Still images may be shared with personnel/officials in limited situations.

Club Member Privacy

Video is not used to identify activities of individual members except in specified circumstances tied to incidents, suspected violations, liability risk, or legal compulsion.

YOUTH WORKER POLICY

Youth worker is an umbrella term for minors under age 18 who work in Clubs as staff/employees, non-member youth volunteers, or work-based learning participants.

Minor Employees:

Official employee of the Club; not in a job-readiness program.
Policy: Boys & Girls Clubs of Collier County will hire staff who are under the age of 18.

Work-Based Learning Program Participant:

Participant in a job-readiness program in the Club workplace. Policy: Boys & Girls Clubs of Collier County will implement a work-based learning program for members.

Non-Member Youth Volunteer:

Other youth volunteers on a repetitive basis not through work-based learning. Policy: Boys & Girls Clubs of Collier County will not allow non-Club member teens to volunteer at the Club on a repetitive basis.

SEARCH, THEFT AND AUDIT POLICY

To protect BGCCC property and ensure operational efficiency, BGCCC conducts internal investigations including inspections, searches and audits on BGCCC premises. BGCCC may inspect items including personal property brought onto premises, work/rest/storage areas, BGCCC vehicles, desks, cabinets, lockers, computers, satchels, etc. Employees should have no expectation of privacy for personal property brought onto BGCCC premises and consent to inspection by bringing such property onto premises. Employees are directed to notify supervisors immediately if they become aware of theft, misuse or unauthorized removal of BGCCC property.

KEY SAFETY ACTIONS AND REQUIRED PRACTICES

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, the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County 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 the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County. In addition, criminal background checks are required for any volunteer who has direct contact with children. All potential employees and volunteers are also run through the National Sex Offender Registry.

Required Immediate Reporting

The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County 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 Trainings

Ongoing training and supervision of staff is critical. We participate in a wide variety of child safety training conducted such as [seminars, conferences, webinars and a semi-annual safety symposium]. 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.

Safety Committee

The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County has a dedicated safety committee to provide input and guidance on local policies and safety strategies.

Mandatory Employee Reference

Any employee interested in moving to another Boys & Girls Club is required to have a reference from the previous Club, even if the Clubs are within the same community.

State and Local Laws

We comply with federal, state and local safety laws, including those impacting facilities and vehicles.

Safety Partnerships

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 Taskforce, 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

Nationally, 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.