Safety

Child Safety is our Number ONE Priority!

Our Club Response to COVID-19

At ABGC, we have worked continuously since the beginning of the pandemic to ensure we are both serving the community and our members in the healthiest, safest ways possible. We will continue to monitor public safety best practices and strive to always be at the forefront of healthy behaviors.

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Culture of Safety

Aztec Boys & Girls Club continually updates our safety policies, programs and training for our staff and volunteers. They are designed to promote child safety and protect young people from threats. We implement layers of safety policies and guidelines to keep our kids safe including:

•    Requiring all staff members to complete Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s            (BGCA) Child Safety Abuse Prevention Curriculum
•    Staff certifications in Youth Mental Health First Aid
•    Partnering with our Aztec PD on safety practices
•    Having a dedicated Safety Committee to provide input and guidance on local policies and safety strategies

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Safety Policies

Aztec Boys & Girls Club has comprehensive safety policies in place that protect youth – including, but not limited to, supervision, transportation, communication and prohibiting private one-on-one contact.

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Safety Training

Ongoing training and coaching of staff is critical. We participate in a wide variety of child safety training, including classes, webinars, and online training programs. Regular youth CPR & First Aid Training is offered to all staff, and senior staff members all have been trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid practices designed to spot and intercede in self harming behaviors.  In addition, our CEO recently completed certification as a Peer Safety Consultant for other Clubs and organizations, helping to build safe practices across the Boys & Girls Club Movement nationwide.

 

Mandatory Annual Safety Assessments

We annually ensure we are 100% compliant with BGCA standards and local regulations. We continually make safety improvements at our Club to adhere to all safety protocols.  In addition, our Board Safety Committee conducts quarterly “walk-throughs” to offer suggestions to continue safety improvement.

 

Safety Committee

Aztec Boys & Girls Club has a dedicated, Board-led, safety committee which provides input and guidance on local policies and strategies. Priorities and initiatives include:

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•    Providing staff with guidance to ensure 100% safety compliance

•    Reviewing policies and procedures that support a safe Club environment
•    Reviewing the National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI) data to ensure

      kids feel safe at the Club
•    Conducting quarterly walk-throughs of the facility to spot areas where              physical safety may be improved.

 

Non-Fraternization

ABGC has a strict non-fraternization policy, which prohibits personal relationships with members outside of club duties.

 

Mandatory Background Checks

Mandatory criminal background checks are required every year for every staff and board member at ABGC. In addition, criminal background checks are required for any volunteer who has direct contact with children. Anyone who has been employed by any Boys & Girls Club in the past must be checked against that employer before being hired at this, or any, Club.

 

Required Immediate Reporting

In NM, all adults are mandatory reporters; however, at ABGC staff is trained to watch for signs and keep track of behaviors that might indicate signs of abuse or mistreatment and will report any critical incident/safety concern to local authorities immediately. We are also required to report any critical incident to Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours.

State and Local Laws

 

We comply with federal, state and local safety laws, including those impacting facilities and vehicles.

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Safety Partnerships Locally, ABGC partners with:

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•    American Red Cross

•    Sexual Assault Services of NW New Mexico

•    NM Children, Youth, & Families Division

 

Through these partnerships we provide enhanced training for kids to protect themselves and staff to become better advocates and protectors of our youth.

 

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

•    Blue Ribbon Taskforce, comprised of local Club leaders charged with                providing input on the safety direction and key safety initiatives

•    Mental Health First Aid, a national program that teaches skills to recognize        and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse

•    Crisis Text Line, a confidential text message service for youth in times of          crisis

 

 

In addition, BGCA 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.

To learn more about national safety policies and actions of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, please visit https://www.bgca.org/about-us/child-safety

 

 

Safety is our #1 concern.  To report an incident or concern about safety contact michael.patch@aztecbg-club.com or call 505-334-8861. After hours you may contact 866-607-SAFE (7233)

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