Our Commitment to our Members and Families
Our daily commitment is to create a secure, engaging environment where children can seize every opportunity to thrive in life. We maintain a ZERO tolerance policy for any inappropriate behavior, including child sexual abuse or misconduct, and allocate resources to support this stance.
Culture of Safety:
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns consistently updates its extensive safety policies, programs, and training for our staff and volunteers, all of which are designed to promote child safety and shield young people from threats present in our society. We implement layers of safety policies and guidelines to keep our children secure.
Safety Policies:
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns enforces comprehensive safety policies to protect our youth, covering aspects such as supervision, transportation, communication, and the prohibition of private one-on-one contact.
24-hour toll-free child safety hotline:
We encourage all staff, members, and families to report any unsafe incidents or situations. Through our national partnership with Praesidium, a leading safety expert, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northtowns members and staff have access to a confidential 24-hour toll-free Child Safety Hotline, 866-607-SAFE (7233), or email [email protected].
Mandatory Background Checks:
Criminal background checks are mandatory yearly for every staff member, board member, and volunteer who has direct contact with children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns. All potential employees and volunteers are also screened through the National Sex Offender Registry.
Required Immediate Reporting:
Staff and volunteers at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns are mandated reporters. They are obligated to report any critical incidents or safety concerns to local authorities immediately and notify Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours.
New York State Office of Child & Family Services—Afterschool programs
https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/regulations/
Please search for school-age programs.
New York State Department of Health—Summer Camps
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/camps/
Mandatory Annual Safety Assessments:
We conduct yearly safety assessments to continuously enhance our Clubs' safety measures.
Safety Training:
Ongoing training and supervision of staff are crucial. We participate in various child safety training programs, such as seminars, conferences, webinars, and semi-annual safety symposiums. Leading third-party safety experts, including Praesidium, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the National Children's Advocacy Center, provide guidance for our policies and approaches.
Safety Committee:
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns has a dedicated safety committee to offer input and guidance on local policies and safety strategies.
Mandatory Employee Reference:
Employees seeking a position at another Boys & Girls Club must provide a reference from their previous club, even if the clubs are within the same community.
State and Local Laws:
We adhere to federal, state, and local safety laws, including those concerning facilities and vehicles.
Safety Partnerships:
Nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs of America collaborates with leading experts in safety, security, and technology to develop cutting-edge solutions for Clubs. Partners include:
• National Child Safety Advisory Task Force, comprising leading experts and organizations
• Mental Health First Aid, a national program teaching 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
Nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has advocated for the passage of the U.S. PROTECT Act, which enhances background screening systems and access. The national organization has also partnered with the FBI, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the Centers for Disease Control to contribute to the development of safety practices benefiting ALL youth-serving organizations.
America's youth warrant unwavering attention to their safety and our steadfast dedication to safeguarding every child under the care of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtonws. To further explore our national safety policies and initiatives, please visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Child Safety page HERE.
Meet our Administrative Team
If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call.
Chief Executive Officer
Robert O’Brocta: (716) 873-9842 ext. 209
Directors of Director of Programs and Training
Rose Roa-Higgins: (716) 873-9842
Christopher Ritz: (716) 873-9842
Director of Facilities & Licensing
Franco Balassone: (716) 873-9842 ext. 224
Director of Human Resources
Kathleen Fortunato: (716) 873-9842
Club & Camp Handbooks
Coming soon!