OUR Guardian
Certified Praesidium Guardian is someone who has completed a rigorous training program focused on preventing sexual abuse and other forms of misconduct within organizations. This certification, provided by Praesidium, demonstrates a commitment to creating safer environments for vulnerable populations. Certified Praesidium Guardians are equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify risks, and champion safety within their organizations. Our Certified Praesidium Guardian is Tina Felker.
Key aspects of the Certified Praesidium Guardian role include:
Championing Safety: CPG’s act as advocates for safety within their organization, promoting a culture of prevention.
Risk Assessment: They are trained to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities within programs and activities.
Implementing Prevention Strategies: CPGs are equipped to put in place measures to mitigate risks and prevent abuse.
Continuous Learning: CPGs are required to stay current on best practices in abuse prevention through ongoing learning and recertification.
Creating a Child Safe Environment
The YMCA stand committed to providing a safe environment to every person who enters our doors, most importantly children who are entrusted to our care. We have a series of measures in place to keep kids safe. Our child protection policies are developed using the Praesidium Safety Equation framework. Specifically, the YMCA:
- Conduct criminal history and sex offender registry checks are conducted on staff and volunteers.
- Conducts staff reference checks which include questions on the applicant’s suitability to work with children.
- Conducts staff interview utilizing behavioral based questions.
- Requires staff and volunteers to complete training on preventing, recognizing and responding to abuse. staff go through refresher training annually.
- Requires staff and volunteers to agree to our child safety code of conduct which includes rules such as:
- Prohibits staff and volunteers from being alone with a child; interactions must be observable and interruptible.
- Restricts staff and volunteer contact with children outside of YMCA programs (including babysitting, social networking, offering additional practices, etc.).
- Provides acceptable and unacceptable physical and verbal interactions.
- Require allegations or suspicions of abuse be reported to the proper authorities in accordance with Indiana law.
- Provides anonymous ways for staff, volunteers and the community to report rule breaking or concerns to senior leadership.
- We continually evaluate and improve our child safe practices by conducting an in-depth child abuse prevention self-assessment using Know Your Score every two years
- Conducts screenings of YMCA members against the National Sex Offender Registry.
- We share our policies with parents and the community to create a network that is equipped to know, see, and respond!