From the Executive Director
Ensuring the safety of every child who walks through the doors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga is our #1 priority. Not only is it our responsibility, it is essential to our mission.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga are committed to creating and maintaining a culture of safety. We continuously update comprehensive safety policies, and provide programs and training for staff and volunteers that best prepare them to protect and serve your child.
For your reference, please see below some of the measures we take to ensure the safety of everyone in our Clubs:
- All staff, volunteers, and Board members undergo a strict background check prior to employment.
- Local police agencies, sheriff departments, District Attorneys, and probation departments compile and submit arrest and conviction information to the California Department of Justice. All of our applicants undergo a live scan, which is a request for this information using digital fingerprint scanning. This background check process provides live & ongoing updates if any member of our team breaks the law in any way. The Department of Justice sends us subsequent Arrest and Disposition Notifications each time a team member is arrested. We follow up on these updates immediately and make decisions regarding continued employment prior to the start of this employee’s next shift.
- Every staff member completes CPR and first aid training and certification before working with youth.
- All Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga employees are mandated reporters. We are required to report any critical safety concern to local authorities immediately. Every staff member completes a mandated reporting training from Napa County officials.
- The Club completes annual safety assessments, audits, and inspections.
- Safety policy reviews are incorporated into regular staff trainings, keeping the Club's commitment to safety at the forefront of all of our programming and policies.
- Club staff and volunteers are never alone with kids. We adhere to a strict policy that always positions two staff in sight of each other and children at all times.
- Club staff do not transport Club members in their personal vehicles.
- Club staff receive training to ensure proper supervision, behavior, & discipline techniques to keep kids engaged & safe while participating in our programs.
- Each Club has extensive and robust emergency protocols and procedures in place for unexpected situations. These include earthquakes, fires, active shooters, and missing children. These plans were created in conjunction with schools & law enforcement partners.
Boys & Girls Clubs of St Helena and Calistoga facilitates a Safety Committee to continuously review all policies, procedures and guidelines.
Keeping kids safe takes a community. If you are concerned that a young person in your life is being abused but is not connected to one of our Clubs, contact the Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453).
We also partner with the following agencies and committees to best serve your child-
- St Helena Fire and Police Departments
- Calistoga Fire and Police Departments
- St Helena School District Emergency Team
- Napa County Public Health
- Mentis Napa
Our message to communities and parents is clear: We work every day to create a safe, fun environment where kids can pursue academic success, good character, and a healthy lifestyle – all under the guidance of caring, trained, trustworthy adult leaders.
And our message to anyone who would potentially compromise our Clubs and our mission is equally clear: We have ZERO tolerance for inappropriate behavior of any kind, and we put resources and energy behind that stance.
Our community’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.
If you have any questions please contact
Trent Yaconelli
Executive Director
707-963-8944
