The Redwoods Group Insurance Program for YMCAs
Risk Management Alert
Topic: Breaking News, YMCA Kidnapping
As has been reported by the media, a 10-year old boy was kidnapped Saturday from the Philadelphia YMCA, apparently by a YMCA program
volunteer. The police are currently looking for the boy and his alleged kidnapper, and you can get the most current news on this story at
www.nbc10.com. Based on our experience, because this event may receive national media coverage, it’s likely you or your staff will receive
questions from concerned parents about the precautions your YMCA uses to ensure this kind of thing will not happen to their children when they
are in your care. It’s important to make sure you and your staff is prepared to address these concerns and reinforce the adequacy of your
YMCA’s policies and procedures, without commenting on the specifics of this event. Here are a few areas in which most of our YMCAs excel
which would be reassuring to parents:
Hiring/Screening Practices for staff and volunteers
| |
Reinforce the extent to which backgrounds and references are checked
|
Supervision
| |
Discuss the ratios of children to workers your YMCA and/or the state require
Discuss your institutional protocols for the oversight of childcare workers
|
Policies & Procedures
| |
The YMCA of the USA Code of Conduct speaks well to issues like not allowing one-on-one contact, off-site contact (babysitting,) etc.
|
Physical Security
| |
Your use of the control desk for access/exit and your sign in/out procedures are key protections.
|
Feedback
| |
Constant diligence by parents, volunteers and staff and an active, easy feedback mechanism are crucial to enable early intervention when
there are suspicious activities.
|
Track Record
| |
The past does not guarantee the future, but most YMCAs can point to their long history of child-care safety with great pride.
|
Of course, it’s always appropriate to reexamine the protections you have in place for these kinds of threats. We’re always ready to help you
assess the adequacy of your current approach, but here are a few quick thoughts that may help you right now:
All volunteers should complete a volunteer application form, have documented references checked, and be thoroughly interviewed by the
person(s) operating the program.
Do not allow any person to solicit for any programs on the YMCA property unless it has prior approval from the YMCA.
Make certain that your parents know that they should check with the YMCA prior to enrolling their child in any program at the YMCA.
Please call us at 800-463-8546 if you would like to discuss any Risk Management safety tips, or visit our web site at www.redwoodsgroup.com to learn more about YMCA risk management related issues. We would appreciate any feedback you might have to offer concerning this article. Please click here to send your feedback.
|