Child Abuse Prevention
As a youth-serving organization that reaches thousands of teens every year, the Y’s most important work is creating safe environments for young people. That any child or teen would experience harm in our care is unacceptable. Ensuring the safety and well-being of young people is foundational to everything we do at the Y to help them learn, grow and thrive. That’s why we’ve partnered with Praesidium and dedicated extensive resources to promoting child abuse awareness within our community.
Child Protection at MYIG
YMCA Michigan Youth in Government and the State Alliance of Michigan YMCA’s are committed to keeping children and teens safe in the communities we serve across the state. We are proud and respectful of the trust parents place in our YMCA. See our full Child Abuse Prevention Policies.
Learn more about our work:
Reporting
If any staff member or volunteer suspects or becomes aware of any inappropriate behavior toward a minor, they are to report the incident immediately.
Screening & Hiring
All new hires go through an interview process, three reference checks, a criminal background check and sex offender check.
Training
All staff members complete child abuse prevention training and receive education on creating a child-safe environment. Staff members renew training every year.
Volunteers
Volunteers who will have ongoing interactions with children or young adults also complete thorough background checks and receive abuse prevention training annually.
Policies & Procedures
We maintain rigorous policies and procedures which are enforced at all locations to ensure that children are supervised at all times and no single staff person is ever alone with a child.
Prevention
We partner with Praesidium, a team of experts in child abuse prevention, to assess all aspects of our programs and implement best practices. Additionally, we operate under the YUSA Child Protection Membership Qualification Standards.
Report an Incident
If you need to report a situation involving child abuse
- For reports of immediate danger, please call 911.
- To report known or suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, please call the Michigan MDHHS 24hr hotline: 855-444-3911
If you have any questions or concerns about Y staff or volunteers, or another program participant, you can:
- Report concerns directly to the YMCA Michigan Youth in Government State Director ([email protected]) or the Senior Director of Programs & Curriculum State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs ([email protected]).
- Complete our online reporting form. Your submission is confidential.
Abuse Prevention Resources
Our YMCA and YMCA of the USA partner with many local and national organizations that provide excellent training on child abuse prevention to communities:
Darkness to Light
a non-profit committed to empowering adults to prevent child sexual abuse. Darkness to Light offers in-depth learning, tools, and practical guidelines to help adults prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse in their Stewards of Children® training.
Michigan Child Protection Services
(CPS) (855) 444-3911. For reports of immediate danger, call local law enforcement at 911.
Praesidium
A trusted resource in Child Abuse Prevention, created this site to help share research and free resources with parents and caregivers.
Educational Videos and Information for Parents & Caregivers by Praesidium
Help the Y Protect Children From Abuse
Together, let’s commit to protecting the youth in our YMCA and our communities by practicing the three habits of child abuse protection each day: know, see and respond.
Because when we know and understand how abuse happens, see the warning signs, and are prepared to respond quickly to prevent it; we create a culture of child abuse prevention that results in even safer environments for kids to reach their full potential.
Know
See
Respond
