Commitment to Safety
At Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, there is nothing more important than the safety of our youth members. We work every day to create a safe, fun environment, so kids can have every opportunity to be successful in life.
- A safe, positive environment (encompassing both physical and emotional safety)
- Youth development experts trained in social-emotional learning and trauma informed care
- Innovative safety policies that protect the physical and emotional well being of our young people
Ensuring the safety of our Club kids
At Boys & Girls Clubs, we incorporate national safety standards and work with other community organizations to consistently strengthen our safety programming through new trainings.
Background Checks
Mandatory criminal background checks are required for every employee, volunteer, and board member who has direct contact with children. These are conducted in advance, as well as each year.
Training & Tools
Each year, staff receive training on the requirements of being a Mandated Reporter, how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to childhood sexual abuse, First Aid/CPR, Supervision of Children, Safety First, and more.
Equipment
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County focuses on safety when making resource allocations and decisions regarding equipment and other capital expenditures.
Facilities
Club-owned facilities have been renovated or built to maintain clear lines of sight throughout the building, allow for single-use restrooms, and eliminate any blind spots from supervision.
Policies
Our Safety Policies & Procedures outline clear steps to prevent safety issues and concerns. See below for more information on the steps we take to ensure safety is our #1 priority.
BGCKC employs a zero-tolerance policy for any disregard of our procedures. If any issues or concerns are brought to our attention, we contact the police and Child Protective Services immediately. If you have any safety-related concerns or questions, please contact your local Club OR our CEO, Laurie Black. Additionally, the national organization offers a 24-hour hotline, 1-866-607-SAFE, and has developed a Child Safety Portal.
Please read about all the steps we take to ensure the safety of our Club members.
