YMCA of Metro North Announces Child Safety Week in April

The YMCA of Metro North announces its 5 Days of Action child protection week, taking place from April 21–25, as part of our ongoing commitment to educating the public and creating safe environments for all children in our care.

As we head into busy summer and prepare to welcome hundreds of children into our camps and youth programs, the YMCA is reinforcing its year-round efforts in child safety by pursuing its latest Child Safety Accreditation through Praesidium—a national standard in abuse prevention and risk management.

Praesidium, a trusted leader in abuse prevention with over 30 years of experience and partnerships with more than 4,000 organizations worldwide, offers a rigorous, standardized accreditation process that allows organizations to publicly demonstrate their commitment to keeping kids safe. By pursuing this accreditation, the YMCA of Metro North is affirming our promise to prioritize child protection in every aspect of our programs.

“At the YMCA, nothing is more important than the safety of the children we serve,” said Kathleen Walsh, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metro North. “Our 5 Days of Action Week is a time for us to educate, empower, and reaffirm our responsibility as a safe, supportive environment where all youth can thrive.”

The YMCA’s child safety protocols include:

• Comprehensive staff screening, including reference checks, CORI and SORI background checks, and in-person interviews with behavioral screening questions.
• Mandatory pre-employment child abuse prevention training for all staff.
• Annual child abuse prevention refresher courses and background checks for all employees.
• Required training for all managers on recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. All YMCA staff are mandated reporters.
• Strict supervision policies requiring staff and children to remain in groups of three or more—ensuring no child is ever left alone.
• A robust code of conduct and child protection policy to guide all interactions and maintain safe environments in every program.

The YMCA of Metro North serves 25,000 youth and teens every year.

The week is followed by Healthy Kids Day on April 26 will serve as the culmination of Child Protection Week, offering a fun, free event for families to learn more about physical activity, healthy eating, mental wellness, and, of course, child safety. Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating our commitment to youth development and safety.

For more information about the YMCA’s 5 Days of Action campaign, inquire below: