Safety is our Number 1 Priority
Club Safety
Local Club Safety
At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County, Child safety is our number 1 priority. Ensuring child safety is fundamental to the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. We work every day to create a safe, fun environment so kids can have every opportunity to be successful in life. We have ZERO tolerance for inappropriate behavior of any kind, including child sexual abuse or misconduct, and we put resources behind that stance.
Safety Information
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County continually updates robust safety policies, programs and training for our staff and volunteers that are designed to promote child safety and protect young people from threats that are present in our society. We implement layers of safety policies and guidelines to keep our kids safe including: Prior to working with children, all youth development professionals must pass a background and reference check. As part of our “onboarding” process, all staff must successfully complete Praesidium Sexual Abuse Prevention training along with other relevant safety training prior to working with children. We have an established structured Board-Led Safety Committee that meets regularly to address and evolve safety policies, procedures, and strategies.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County has comprehensive safety policies in place that protect youth – including, but not limited to, supervision, transportation, communication and prohibiting private one-on-one contact.
We encourage all staff, members and families to report any incident or situation they feel is unsafe. Through our national partnership with Praesidium, one of the nation’s leading safety experts, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County members and staff have access to a confidential 24-hour toll-free Child Safety Hotline, 866-607-SAFE (7233) or email SafeClub@Praesidiuminc.com.
Mandatory criminal background checks are required every year for every staff and board member at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. In addition, criminal background checks are required for any volunteer who has direct contact with children. All potential employees and volunteers are also run through the National Sex Offender Registry.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County staff and volunteers are all mandated reporters. We are required to report any critical incident/safety concern to local authorities immediately. We are also required to report any critical incident to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours.
We complete a safety assessment each year to ensure we continually make improvements to safety at our Clubs. We complete safety assessments twice a year to ensure we continually make improvements to safety at our Clubs.
Ongoing training and supervision of staff are critical. We participate in a wide variety of child safety training conducted such as seminars, conferences, webinars and a semi-annual safety symposium. We also engage leading third-party safety experts to provide guidance for our policies and approaches, including Praesidium, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the National Children’s Advocacy Center.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County has a dedicated safety committee to provide input and guidance on local policies and safety strategies. Priorities and initiatives include:Addressing facilities to ensure that safety policies and procedures are consistent throughout our Boys & Girls Clubs.
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Educating our children on Club policies/rules of conduct that help ensure their personal safety and the safety of others.
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Working with our community partners on joint clear communication and strategies that are adhered to regardless of location and activities with our children.
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The Safety and Well-being of Young People is Our Number One Priority
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Any employee interested in moving to another Boys & Girls Club is required to have a reference from the previous Club, even if the Clubs are within the same community.
We comply with federal, state, and local safety laws, including those impacting facilities and vehicles.
Nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs of America works with leading experts in the areas of safety, security, and technology to develop state-of-the-art solutions for Clubs. Partners include:
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National Child Safety Advisory Task Force, made up of leading experts and organizations.
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Blue Ribbon Taskforce, comprised of local Club leaders charged with providing input on the safety direction and key safety initiatives.
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Mental Health First Aid, a national program that teaches skills to recognize and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse.
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Crisis Text Line, a confidential text message service for youth in times of crisis.
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School Districts and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.
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Department of Human Services.
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Redwoods Insurance Safety Program.
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Kern County Children's Cabinet.
Nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has advocated the passage of the U.S. PROTECT Act, which improved background screening systems and access. The national organization has also partnered with the FBI, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the Centers for Disease Control to contribute to the development of safety practices that benefit ALL youth-serving organizations.
America’s young people deserve nothing less than our constant focus on their safety and our firm commitment to protect every child who is entrusted to our care at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. To learn more about our national safety policies and actions, please visit Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Child Safety page, here.-
Safety Meeting
A bi-monthly Safety Meeting at BGCKC is held every two months to ensure a safe and secure environment for youth, staff, and visitors. These meetings provide an opportunity to review safety protocols, address potential risks, discuss incident reports, and reinforce emergency procedures. Staff stay informed on best practices, receive updates on policies, and collaborate on ways to maintain a positive and protected Club environment.
Youth Safety Taskforce
The Youth Safety Task Force empowers members to take an active role in keeping their peers safe. Participants help promote awareness, model positive behavior, and support staff by identifying concerns and encouraging a respectful, secure environment for everyone.