|
Your application will be considered "active" until the position for which you are applying has been filled or for 60 days whichever is sooner. If you are hired, proof of citizenship or immigration status will be required.
Notice to All Applicants: The YMCA enforces its policies and practices to prevent child abuse.
The Family YMCA of Emporia-Greensville is committed to providing all youth with a safe environment. Our organization has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind and will not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of youth in our programs. Allegations or suspicions of abuse are taken very seriously at the YMCA and will be reported to the proper authorities for investigation.
All employees and high access volunteers at the YMCA receive ongoing child abuse prevention training and follow a thorough Child Protection Policy which includes a Code of Conduct defining appropriate interactions thorough Child Protection Policy which includes a Code of Conduct defining appropriate interactions with youth and strict reporting procedures. We take many additional steps to minimize opportunities for abuse to occur including but not limited to, carefully screening applicants to prevent abusers from being hired, scheduled & unscheduled visitors from supervisors, surveillance cameras, having policy for parents/guardians, & educating youth on personal safety & touching limits.
Child Protection Code of Conduct (For ALL employees and volunteers)
YMCA Staff and Volunteers:
Will respond to children with respect and consideration and treat all children equally regardless of ability, age, gender, gender identity, race, religion, or culture.
Will be a positive role model for youth by exhibiting professionalism in all interactions, portray an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact, and maturity.
Will always maintain confidentiality to children and families. Will not physically, verbally, sexually, or mentally abuse or neglect children. Any type of abuse will not be tolerated and will be cause for immediate dismissal. Will not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of one youth by another youth. In addition, our organization will not tolerate any behavior that is classified under the definition of bullying. Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional, is repeated over time, and involves an imbalance of power or strength.Bullying can take on various forms, including physical bullying, verbal bullying, nonverbal or relational bullying, cyberbullying, and sexualized bullying. Will not touch youth inappropriately, or in ways that make them feel uncomfortable, and will respect their right to say “no.”
Other than diapering or safe toileting instructional methods, children are not to be touched on areas of their bodies that would be covered by a bathing suit.
Will refrain from the use of inappropriate language, physical conduct, or behavior, which is sexually suggestive, harassing or intimidating to youth, staff, volunteers, or other YMCA participants.
Appropriate Physical Interactions
- Side hugs
- Shoulder-to-shoulder hugs or “temple” hugs
- Pats on the shoulder or back
- Handshakes
- High-fives and fist bumps
- Verbal praise
- Pats on the head, when culturally appropriate
- Touching hands, shoulders, and arms
- Arms around shoulders
- Holding hands (with young children in escorting situations)
Inappropriate Physical Interactions
- Full frontal hugs
- Kisses
- Showing affection in isolated areas
- Lap sitting
- Wrestling
- Piggyback rides
- Tickling
- Allowing a youth to cling to a staff or volunteers leg
- Any type of massage given by or to a youth
- Any form of affection that is unwanted by the youth or the
- staff/volunteer
- Compliments relating to physique or body development Touching bottom, chest, or genital areas
Appropriate Verbal Interactions Inappropriate Verbal Interactions
- Positive reinforcement
- Age-appropriate jokes
- Encouragement Praise
-
- Name-calling
- Secrets
- Profanity
- Off-color, sexual, or inappropriate jokes
- Shaming, belittling, or put downs
- Derogatory remarks, such as “shut up,” or sarcasm
- Discussing sexual encounters, sharing details of one’s personal life, or in any way involving youths in the personal problems or issues of staff or volunteers
Harsh language that may frighten, threaten, or
- humiliate youth
- Derogatory remarks about the youth or his/her
family
Will conduct a health check on each child, each day, as they enter the program, noting any fever, bumps, bruises, burns, unusual marks, etc. Questions or concerns will be addressed to the parent or child in an open ended, non-threatening way.
Any questionable marks or responses will be documented and reported to the YMCA management.
Shall not leave a child unsupervised in a YMCA program.
Youth must always be within sight and sound of a qualified staff member.
Ratios are to be maintained or exceeded, at all times. Volunteers may not count in the staff:child ratio.
Will utilize the “rule of three” and headcounts during all transitions. The “rule of three” specifies that there should always be at least three people present – i.e., one employee and two children or two employees and one child.
May not be alone with a single child where they cannot be observed by others. As staff/volunteers supervise children, they
should space themselves in a way that other staff can see them. Volunteers may never be alone with children without a qualified staff member present.
Restroom/Locker Room Supervision:
Staff will make sure the restroom is not occupied by suspicious or unknown individuals before allowing children to use the facilities.
Only one child, per stall, may enter a restroom at any time.
An individual school-age child may be permitted to go to a non-public restroom unattended if the restroom is within vision of a supervising staff member. Two or more school-age children going to the same restroom at the same time must be accompanied to the restroom by a qualified staff and be within staff hearing, at all times. Staff may stand in the doorway but not enter the restroom. This allows privacy for the children and protection for the staff (not being alone with a child).
An individual staff may not enter the non-public restroom with a school-age child, at any time.
If a school-age child needs assistance in the restroom, two staff are required to assist.
When utilizing a public restroom or restroom at the center that the general public is permitted to use:
- Children must be accompanied to the restroom by a qualified staff
- The staff member may enter the restroom but may not enter a child’s individual
- Staff will utilize the “rule of three.” The “rule of three” specifies that there should always be at least three people present – i.e., one employee and two children or two employees and one child.
For children younger than school-age:
- Children must always be accompanied to the restroom by a qualified staff
- The restroom must be within vision and hearing, at all
- A qualified staff member may enter the restroom to assist a younger child with toileting when needed, however, the doors to the restroom must remain open and staff should attempt to position themselves so that they are visible to others.
Shall use positive techniques of guidance including redirection, positive reinforcement, and encouragement, rather than competition, comparison, and criticism. Staff and volunteers will have age-appropriate expectations and set up guidelines and environments that minimize the need for discipline.
Physical restraint (supportively holding a child in the least restrictive way) is used only in pre-determined situations
(necessary when a child’s behavior places the child or others around the child at risk of physical harm). The staff person must be an experienced staff member and one that is known to the child and shall only restrain the child for as long as is necessary for the child to regain control. All incidents must be immediately reported to the supervisor, parent notified, and documented.
Will not release children to anyone other than the authorized parent, guardian, or other adult authorized by the parent or guardian. Drop-off and pick-up procedures must always be followed, and IDs must be verified.
May not be alone with children they meet in YMCA programs outside of the YMCA programs outside of the YMCA. This includes babysitting, sleepovers, and inviting children to one’s home unless one of the following conditions exist:
- Staff and volunteers have a relationship with the child, family, or guardians, that predates the child’s enrollment in a
- YMCA
Staff and volunteers and the child or the child’s family or guardian are related.
When these conditions exist, the employee must notify the supervisor and file the appropriate disclosure. May not transport participants in YMCA programs in personal vehicles.
Will not give gifts (even small gifts), ask children to keep secrets, or show favoritism to certain children.
May not date or become romantically involved with employees, members, or program participants under the age of 18. Will refrain from intimate displays of affection in the presence of children, parents, staff, and volunteers.
Will not use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours or while on YMCA premise. Will not smoke or use tobacco in the presence of children or parents during working hours.
Shall not share their personal contact information with any youth participating in YMCA programs.
Understands that any contact with youth members or program participants via private electronic communication, including, but not limited to, phone calls, text messages, email, social media accounts, friend requests, etc. is prohibited. If you receive correspondence via electronic communications from any youth whom you know from YMCA programming, you should immediately contact your supervisor. Any response to them is a violation of your no-contact promise to the YMCA.
Will not have sexually oriented materials including printed or online pornography, on our organization’s property. 27) Must obtain parental permission to take photos/videos of YMCA participants under the age of 18. The use of personal cell phones to photograph/video YMCA participants is prohibited. Staff and volunteers cannot use photographs/videos taken at YMCA programs and/or of YMCA participants for any personal use.
May not use personal cell phones while supervising children.
|
