Child Safety is Job No. 1 at the Clubs
At The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chaves & Lincoln Counties (BGCCLC), ensuring child safety is fundamental to our mission.
Our #1 Priority: The Safety and Wellbeing of Young People
We create a safe, inclusive, and fun environment where kids can thrive. We have zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior, including child sexual abuse or misconduct.
Culture of Safety includes but is not limited to the following policies:
- Crisis Management Policy
- Child Abuse Prevention Policy
- One-on-One Contact Policy
Safety Policies Include but is not limited to:
- Group supervision
- Transportation standards
- No one-on-one adult-youth contact
24-Hour Child Safety Hotline:
Confidential support provided by Praesidium
Call: 866-607-SAFE (7233)
Email: SafeClub@Praesidiuminc.com
Mandatory Background Checks:
All staff and board are checked upon hire and annually. Volunteers are screened. We use First Advantage and fingerprinting.
Mandatory Reporting Requirements:
All staff and volunteers must report incidents to local authorities and notify BGCA within 24 hours.
Safety Assessments:
We conduct internal and external reviews annually to improve safety.
Child Safety at BGCCLC:
Training & External Experts as well as training via online courses, webinars, seminars, and expert guidance (Praesidium, NCMEC, National Children's Advocacy Center).
Board-Led Safety Committee:
Oversees policy reviews, safety assessments, and incident responses.
Employee Reference Requirements
Transferring staff from another Boys & Girls Club must provide a professional reference.
Legal Compliance
We follow all federal, state, and local laws related to safety.
Safety Partners
National: Child Safety Advisory Task Force, Blue Ribbon Task Force, Mental Health First Aid, Crisis Text Line
Local: Roswell & Ruidoso Police & Fire Departments
Ongoing Commitment
Since 2020: Enhanced background checks, stronger safety committees, and RAINN recommendations (ongoing through 2026)
National Advocacy
We support the U.S. PROTECT Act and partner with the FBI, CDC, and NCMEC.
We Will Never Stop Putting Safety First
Every child deserves to feel safe, protected, and supported at BGCCLC.
Learn more: https://www.bgca.org/about-us/child-safety