Child Abuse Prevention Month | Our YMCA Employee Code of Conduct

The development of children is the core of which the Y’s values were built. This is why the safety of all children in our care is our number one priority. Staff and volunteers at the Northern Middlesex YMCA follow our Code of Conduct to ensure the safety of all children who come through our doors, whether they’re regular program participants or only visit once a year.

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Y wants to make sure that all members understand this Code of Conduct. A key tool in abuse prevention is knowledge, so it’s important that parents and caregivers are informed of the Y’s policies around children. Together we can work to ensure all children in Middlesex County reach their full potential.

Click HERE to visit our Abuse Prevention at the Y page on our website to view our Code of Conduct.

In addition to our Code of Conduct, the Y also has a number of safety measures intended to keep kids safe.

A principal endeavor of the Middlesex Y is to provide an atmosphere for the growth and development of youth and children.Thus, the mistreatment or neglect of youth or children and the resulting severe effects are of primary concern to the Y. Child abuse is mistreatment or neglect of a child by parent(s) or others resulting in injury or harm. Abuse can lead to severe emotional, physical and behavioral problems. Because of its concern for the welfare of children and youth, the Y has developed policies, standards, guidelines and training to aid in the detection and prevention of child abuse.

1. All employees are screened and background checks are conducted upon hiring or rehiring. Additionally, employees who have contact with children and youth receive training in recognizing, reporting and preventing child abuse, which includes training in recognizing signs that a child is being groomed for abuse.

2. Before employment, all staff must complete Praesidium's Armatus Child Abuse Prevention Training. These online modules of training include "Duty to Report, Mandated Reporter", "Keeping Your Y Safe", "Preventing Sexual Activity Between Young Children", "Meet Sam", and "It Happened to Me".

3. All employees are required to sign and abide by our Codes of Conduct, Work Rules, Childcare Code of Conduct, and our YMCA Policy Preventing the Abuse and Mistreatment of Youth.

If you have questions about the Y’s Code of Conduct or our child safety measures policy, please contact

Candace Crane, VP of Youth Development & Community Relations 860.343.6204 or ccrane@midymca.org

Rich McCarty, VP for Healthy Living & Social Responsibility 860.343.6207 or rmccarty@midymca.org