Massachusetts Law on Reporting Requirements
Mandated reporters are required to immediately report suspicions of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families…
Home / Training / The Value of Training in YSOs
Your organization has the opportunity to support and empower young people to feel confident, protected, and safe in their homes and communities. Since they collectively share the responsibility for preventing child sexual abuse, your staff, volunteers, parents, and young people need the information and skills to confidently create safe environments for children/youth. While the scope of training must be adapted to your organization’s size and unique characteristics, the universal goal of maintaining safe environments for children/youth is attainable—regardless of your organization’s mission, culture, or resources.
By providing comprehensive training to your staff and volunteers, you’ll let potential offenders know you’re keenly aware of the threat of sexual abuse, are committed to talking about it, and are capable of confronting and exposing anyone who abuses or attempts to exploit children/youth. You’ll also send the important message to victimized children and youth that they are not to blame, but are heard, believed, and supported, and you can serve as a model and resource for parents and communities to take positive action.
Reporting
Mandated reporters are required to immediately report suspicions of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families…
Sustainability
In order to uphold a culture of safety at your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO), communication between leadership, staff and volunteers must focus…
Policies & Procedures
Policies for youth-serving organizations in Massachusetts should clearly identify the duties and responsibilities of all staff, reflect both Federal…
Screening & Hiring
Your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO) should create protocols for the application, interviewing, and screening process. Each step of the process…
Safe Environments
How is Your Facility Designed to Keep Children Safe? Child development and school-age programs operate in many different types of facilities….
Screening & Hiring
One way you can help prevent child sexual abuse within your organization is by screening out those at risk to cause harm—before they are hired …
Reporting
The term Human Trafficking is used by Department of Children and Families (DCF) as an umbrella term used to include two specific allegations of…
Safe Environments
Physically safe spaces, with proper supervision, are required to maintain safety standards at your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO). Ensure policies…
Training
Parents and other caregivers need to receive, at a minimum, the same level of prevention education as their child/youth. Parents can be strong…
Screening & Hiring
Criminal background checks are an important tool in your screening and selection process—and you should ensure that you’re aware of any federal,…
Customized child sexual abuse prevention guidelines to meet the unique needs of any organization that serves children.
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