Safety policy
The Safety and Well-being of Young People is Our Number One Priority
For decades, the Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County has been dedicated to serving the youth and families of Highlands County and the surrounding area, with the safety and protection of the children we serve as our highest priority. Our organization is unwavering in its commitment to the highest standards of safety and integrity, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior that could harm children. Our compassionate staff are devoted to creating physically and emotionally safe environments where our children and teens can grow and succeed. We thoughtfully design our Clubhouse to foster both physical and emotional safety, ensuring that every young person has a secure place to thrive.
Please see this sheet for more information about our safety practices.
Safety Culture
Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County continually updates robust safety policies, programs, and trainings for our staff and volunteers that are designed to promote child safety and protect young people from threats that are present in our society. Mandatory criminal background checks are required for every staff and board member of the Club as well as any volunteer that will have direct contact with a child.
Safety Assessment
Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County, Highlands County Police, and Highlands County Fire Departments complete an annual safety assessment to ensure we continually make improvements for safety at our Club. Earthquake, fire and lockdown drills are performed with staff and Club members on a regular basis.
Safety Policies
Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County has comprehensive safety policies in place that protect our Club members including but not limited to supervision, transportation, communication, and practices for the prevention of sexual abuse of children.
Safety Training
Ongoing training and supervision of staff is critical. We participate in a wide variety of child safety trainings conducted through seminars, conferences and webinars. Each site is staffed with a minimum of two, CPR-trained team members at all times
Safety Reporting
Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County staff and volunteers are all mandated reporters. We are required by the State of Florida as mandated reporters to report suspected or known abuse(s), neglect or any exploitation of children under the age of 18. We are also required to expeditiously report critical incidents to Boys & Girls Clubs of America as may be appropriate
Safety Committee
Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County has a dedicated Safety Committee to provide input and guidance on local policies and safety strategies. Our Safety Committee consists of Board Members and local professionals with backgrounds in community and youth safety practices.
Background Screening: Keeping Our Members Safe
The safety of the youth we serve is our highest priority. Every staff member and volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County completes a Level 2 background screening before working with our members; including statewide and national criminal history checks and ongoing monitoring.
This screening is also a condition of employment. As a qualified entity participating in Florida's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse, we are required by state law to screen applicants for positions that involve working with the children we serve. To learn more about Florida's background screening requirements - including the Clearinghouse, Level 2 screening standards, and the screening process - visit the state's Care Provider Background Screening Education and Awareness website:
info.flclearinghouse.com. This requirement is established under Florida House Bill 531 (2025).
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has advocated the passage of the US PROTECT Act which improves 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 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 protect every child who is entrusted to our care at Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County. To learn more about our national safety policies and actions, please visit the
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Child Safety page.
