The YMCA is committed to providing a safe environment for every person who enters our doors, most importantly children who are entrusted to our care. As an organization, we take the following actions to keep kids safe in our Y facilities, camps and programs and to maintain the reputation of safety we have built during our 170+ year history.
Screening
- Conduct criminal history and sex offender registry checks on staff upon hire and regularly thereafter
- Conduct criminal history and sex offender registry checks on volunteers working with youth upon registration
- Conduct staff and volunteer reference checks
- Conduct weekly screenings of YMCA members and participants against the National Sex Offender Registry
- Conduct staff and volunteer reference checks
Training
- Require staff and volunteers to complete training on preventing, recognizing and responding to abuse
- Require staff and volunteers to agree to our child safety code of conduct which includes rules such as:
- Prohibiting staff and volunteers from being alone with a child; interactions must be observable and interruptible.
- Restricting staff and volunteer contact with children outside of YMCA programs (including babysitting, social networking, offering additional services, etc.).
- Detailing acceptable and unacceptable physical and verbal interactions.
- Requiring allegations or suspicions of abuse be reported to the proper authorities in accordance with state law.
Accountability
Ensuring the safety and well-being of young people in our care is the Y’s most important work. Because of our concern for the welfare of children, the Y has developed standards, guidelines, and training to aid in the detection and prevention of child abuse. Our staff and volunteers should never:
- Be alone with a child. They have received information on what to do if that situation arises.
- Leave a child unattended.
- Give a kiss or full frontal hug to a participant or allow a participant to sit on their lap or ride on their back (ie piggyback ride).
- Use profanity or inappropriate jokes, they are also expected not to share intimate details of their personal life.
- Interact with participants outside of the program, this includes babysitting for a family they met through the Y.
- Contact the participant directly, including via social media or video game platforms.
- Give gifts to participants or show favoritism toward one participant.
If you witness any actions by our staff that you believe contradict our expectations, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact our child safety staff directly by emailing riskmanagement@ymcadetroit.org.
Reporting
Each employee and volunteer is responsible for bringing to the YMCA’s attention any circumstances that the individual believes constitutes an act of misconduct, including any apparent or suspected violations involving the YMCA’s financial reports, accounting, or internal control policies and procedures. Any retaliation against any employee or other reporting individual because that individual, in good faith, reported a violation is strictly forbidden.
Should any allegation arise, the YMCA will proactively work with the authorities and all parties involved to respond in a prompt, thorough and empathetic manner.
And, all YMCA staff are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, as identified in the Michigan Child Protection Law. YMCA staff are expected to report when they suspect that a child is being abused or neglected. A mandated reporter is required to report as soon as possible, but no longer than 24 hours after having reason to suspect a reportable offense.
The YMCA provides anonymous ways for staff, volunteers and the community to report rule breaking or concerns to senior leadership. The YMCA’s reporting options include:
- Report concerns to Y staff
- Call the YMCA Safety Line (313)309-1098
- (This is a voicemail. Please leave a message and The Y will get back to you.)
- Email RiskManagement@ymcadetroit.org
- Use our anonymous reporting tool.
Auditing
To ensure we continuously uphold the highest standards in child safety and protection, we utilize an assessment tool developed by Praesidium, a consulting firm that specializes in abuse prevention and risk management. In addition, all YMCA youth programs undergo internal regular audits and quick safety checks.
And, 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.