CHILD SAFETY

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

The West Cook YMCA makes it a top priority to ensure children are safe from abuse and able to learn, grow, and thrive. We are committed to creating programs that protect children from abuse and we are providing our families and community with information to keep kids safe everywhere. Our staff and volunteers are trained and we are an association accredited by Praesidium, the national leader in organizational abuse risk management.

All Ys in the U.S. are required to implement child sexual abuse prevention practices and policies to remain a member in good standing with the National Council of YMCAs.

These requirements include:

• Completing a child abuse prevention self‑assessment (created by a Y‑USA‑approved vendor) at least every two (2) years and implement an Action Plan to address opportunities for improvement.
• Having a policy that requires criminal background checks for staff and volunteers.
• Providing and requiring annual training for staff and high‑access volunteers on preventing and responding to youth‑to‑youth sexual activity and adult‑to‑child sexual activity or abuse.
• In addition to requiring all staff and volunteers to report suspected child abuse and behaviors to applicable laws, all allegations of sexual abuse or victimization of minors (under 18) involving Y staff, volunteers, members, vendors, or other involved parties.
• Having a policy that requires screening all adults against a national sex offender registry and prohibits registered sex offenders who are identified as registered sex offenders from participating or volunteering at the Y.
• Implementing practice that define boundaries with youth.
• Implementing procedures for identifying and managing high‑risk activities.
• Assigning youth protection to a leadership staff member’s responsibility and a committee’s chart of work.
• Reporting the following events to Y‑USA:
  • Allegations and/or criminal charges of child abuse, child sexual exploitation, or child sexual misconduct involving a current or former YMCA staff, volunteer, or member (including incidents related to the YMCA and outside of the YMCA)
  • Allegations of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or sexual misconduct between youth participants in attendance at a YMCA and/or enrolled in YMCA activities.

YMCAs have access to resources to assist them in meeting these requirements. Provided by and facilitated by Y‑USA, these resources are accessible through Link, our internal knowledge‑sharing platform for YMCA staff.

GIFT GIVING POLICY

Giving any gifts or favors to, or receiving any gifts or favors from, any competitor, customer, or supplier, other than a gift or favor of nominal value (e.g. $50 or less). No employee may give or receive any gift or favor that could reasonably be viewed as being given or received to gain a business advantage. All donations, including cash and property, become the property of the YMCA. Employees may not under any circumstances accept personal payment for services performed at or through the YMCA from a member, parent, participant or other individual.

INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN OUTSIDE OF THE YMCA

West Cook YMCA employees are not allowed to babysit members or program participants that they met as a result of their employment with the YMCA. Youth spending the night at the home or away from home with a YMCA employee or volunteer is prohibited.

BABYSITTING POLICY

Employees or family members of employees are not permitted to provide babysitting services to other employee’s children or for members or members families of the WCY.  Employees are not permitted to receive babysitting services from employees, family members of employees, or members or members families of the WCY that are minors.