Parents – Boys & Girls Club of the Big Country

THE MISSION OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE BIG COUNTRY

To enable and inspire all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Parents Information

We want to provide you with all the essential information regarding our organization. Our handbook serves as a comprehensive guide, detailing our policies, programs, and values to ensure that you are fully informed about what we offer. Additionally, you’ll find a wealth of resources available to support both you and your child throughout your journey with us. We also keep an updated list of current open spots for enrollment, making it easier for you to plan ahead. Safety is our top priority; therefore, we have included vital safety information. We believe that transparency and communication are key components of a successful partnership between parents and our organization, and we are here to assist you every step of the way. If you ever have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Afterschool Applications

Abilene & Club Clubs Application

Coleman Club Application

AT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE BIG COUNTRY, INC., CHILD SAFETY IS JOB NO. 1

The Safety and Wellbeing of Young People is Our Number One Priority

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.

Culture of Safety:

Boys & Girls Club of the Big Country, Inc. 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:

No staff are ever alone with a child
Computer labs are monitored by adult staff at all times
Training to recognize and report abuse
Programming for the members on how to protect themselves from exploitation
Constant safety assessments ensure facilities and activities are safe for our members.

Safety Policies:

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

24-Hour Toll-Free Child Safety Hotline:

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, Boys & Girls Club of the Big Country, Inc. 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 Background Checks:

Mandatory criminal background checks are required yearly for every Boys & Girls Club of the Big Country, Inc. staff and board member. 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 company Background Investigation Bureau.

Required Immediate Reporting:

Boys & Girls Club of the Big Country, Inc. 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 Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours.

Mandatory Annual Safety Assessments:

We complete a safety assessment each year to ensure we continually make improvements to safety at our Clubs.

Safety Trainings:

Ongoing training and supervision of staff is critical. We participate in a wide variety of child safety training, such as on-site training, webinars, and required online training through Spillett University. We also engage leading third-party safety experts to guide our policies and approaches, including Praesidium, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the National Children’s Advocacy Center.

Mandatory Employee Reference:

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.

State and Local Laws:

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

Safety Committee:

Boys & Girls Club of the Big Country, Inc. has a dedicated safety committee to provide input and guidance on local policies and safety strategies. Priorities and initiatives include:

Child safety at the club
Child safety on field trips
Staff expectations, training, and understanding of all safety policies and reporting requirements.
Maintaining safe facilities.
Consistent safety drills including bad weather, fire, and imminent threat.

Safety Partnerships:

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:

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 Locally, the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Country, Inc. partners with:
Abilene Police Department
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office
AISD