--- title: "Safety in Clubs" id: "275" type: "page" slug: "safety" published_at: "2019-10-09T22:46:19+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-06T23:08:40+00:00" url: "https://www.bgcaz.org/safety/" markdown_url: "https://www.bgcaz.org/safety.md" excerpt: "The safety and well-being 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..." --- # Safety in Clubs # Safety in Clubs - [About](#) - [Culture](#) - [Policies](#) ## Ensuring Child Safety is Fundamental to the Mission of BGCAZ The safety and well-being of young people are **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. ## 1. Culture of Safety BGCAZ 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: - Regular child abuse prevention training - Mandatory safety, fire, and active shooter training - CPR training - Continuous capital improvements [^ Return to Top](#) ## 2. Safety Policies BGCAZ has comprehensive safety policies in place that protect youth – including, but not limited to, supervision, transportation, communication, and prohibiting private one-on-one contact. ### 1. Entry & Exit of the Clubs Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley is a Youth Development organization in which some Branches operate as license-exempt programs. Under ARS Section 36-882, members may enter and exit the facility at their own volition. It is the responsibility of the parent to communicate with their members as to whether they will be picked up by an adult or leave independently each day. Staff cannot prevent a child from leaving independently. Under this policy, members must use their membership cards to scan in and out each day. Once members scan out of the Club, they cannot return that day unless escorted back to the Club by a parent/guardian or adult. --- ### 2. Mandatory Background Checks Mandatory criminal background checks are required every year for every staff and board member at BGCAZ. 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 National Sex Offender Registry. --- ### 3. Required Immediate Reporting BGCAZ staff and volunteers are mandated reporters. We are required to report any critical incident/safety concerns to local authorities immediately. We are also required to report any critical incident to Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours. --- ### 4. Mandatory Annual Safety Assessments We complete a safety assessment each year to ensure we continually make improvements to safety at our Club(s). --- ### 5. Safety Training Ongoing training and supervision of staff are critical. We participate in a wide variety of child safety training conducted such as [seminars, conferences, webinars, and a semi-annual safety symposium]. We also engage leading third-party safety experts to provide guidance for our policies and approaches, including Praesidium, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the National Children’s Advocacy Center. --- ### 6. Safety Committee BGCAZ has a dedicated safety committee within the Board of Directors to provide input and guidance on local policies and safety strategies. Priorities and initiatives include: - Capital improvements - Coordination with local enforcement agencies as needed - Investments in staff training --- ### 7. 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. --- ### 8. State and Local Laws We comply with federal, state and local safety laws, including those impacting facilities and vehicles. --- ### 9. Safety Partnerships Nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs of America work 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, is 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, BGCAZ partners with:** - Local police and law enforcement agencies - Schools we serve Nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has advocated the passage of the [U.S. PROTECT Act](https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/151) , which improved background screening systems and access. The national organization has also partnered with the [FBI](https://www.fbi.gov/) , the [National Center for Missing & Exploited Children](http://www.missingkids.com/home) and the [Centers for Disease Control](https://www.cdc.gov/) to contribute to the development of safety practices that benefit ALL youth-serving organizations. America’s young people deserve nothing less than our constant focus on their safety and our firm commitment to protecting every child who is entrusted to our care at BGCAZ. To [learn more](https://www.bgca.org/about-us/child-safety) about our national safety policies and actions, please visit Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Child Safety page, [here](https://www.bgca.org/about-us/child-safety/safety-policies-and-actions) . BGCAZ 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: [^ Return to Top](#) --- *This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.* --- *BGCAZ is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. We encourage parents to communicate with BGCAZ if your child has a disability so that we can work together to make reasonable accommodation that will allow your child access to the Club and its programs. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact your Branch Director.* *BGCAZ se compromete a proporcionar acceso, igualdad de oportunidades y adaptaciones razonables para personas con discapacidades en el empleo, sus servicios, programas y actividades. Alentamos a los padres a comunicarse con BGCAZ si su hijo tiene una discapacidad para que podamos trabajar juntos para hacer ajustes razonables que permitan a su hijo acceder al Club y sus programas. Para solicitar adaptaciones razonables, comuníquese con el director de su sucursal.* --- *BGCAZ is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. BGCAZ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetics, veteran, or disability status. Furthermore, BGCAZ does not discriminate on the basis of familial status. [www.AZRelay.org](http://www.azrelay.org/) or 7-1-1.* *BGCAZ se enorgullece de ser un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Todo empleo se decide sobre la base de las calificaciones, el mérito y la necesidad comercial. BGCAZ no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, religión, edad, origen nacional, sexo, orientación sexual, genética, condición de veterano o discapacidad. Además, BGCAZ no discrimina en función del estado familiar. www.AZRelay.org o 7-1-1.*