At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN, we recognize, affirm, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, lives, and experiences of our youth, families, volunteers, donors, community partners, board members, and staff. We ensure the opportunity for voices and perspectives to be heard and honored. In the community, we foster an environment where people can be their best selves.

We affirm that every person [regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, gender expression, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation, marital or veteran status] has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We strive to realize the full potential that is within all of us by ensuring that voices and perspectives are heard and honored.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota respects the confidentiality of client and volunteer records and, with the exception of situations listed below, shares information about clients and volunteers only among the agency professional staff.

All records are considered the property of the agency and not the agency workers or clients or volunteers themselves. Records are not available for review by the clients or volunteers.

1. Information will be released to other individuals or non-BBBS organizations only with the client or volunteer's written consent.

2. For purposes of program evaluation, audit, or accreditation, and with the prior approval of the Board of Directors, certain outside bodies such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America may have access to client and volunteer records.

3. Members of the Board of Directors or evaluators appointed by the Board have access to client files upon authorization of the Board of Directors.

4. Information shall only be provided to law enforcement officials or the courts pursuant to a valid and enforceable subpoena.

5. Information shall be provided to an agency's legal counsel in the event of litigation or potential litigation involving the agency.

6. State law mandates that suspected child abuse be reported to the appropriate authorities (law enforcement or social services).

7. If an agency worker receives information indicating that a client or volunteer may be dangerous to themselves or to others, necessary steps may be taken to protect the appropriate party. This may include a medical referral or report to the local law enforcement authorities. 

8. At the time a youth or volunteer is considered as a match candidate, information is shared between the prospective match parties. The information about the volunteer may include such items as: age, sex, race, religion, interests, hobbies, marriage, family status, sexual orientation, living situation, etc. Information about the child may include such items as age, sex, sexual identity, race, religion, interests, hobbies, family situation, etc.

BBBS is committed to protecting the safety, privacy, and confidentiality of all program participants. Electronic records are maintained securely through BBBS's authorized data management system. All staff, volunteers, youth, and parents/guardians are required to sign and comply with BBBSs Confidentiality Policy.

BBBS recognizes that social media and digital technology are common and valuable communication tools. While mentoring relationships are intended to occur primarily through in-person interactions, BBBS understands that digital communication may sometimes be appropriate. When communication occurs outside of in person meetings, matches are encouraged to use BBBS-provided or BBBS-approved platforms whenever possible.

All volunteers, youth, and parents/guardians who engage in digital communication, including texting, email, video chats, social media, blogs, and other online platforms, agree to the following:

1.      Be Positive Role Models

a.       Conduct themselves responsibly and serve as positive role models in all online activity and communications.

b.       Recognize that information shared publicly online may be viewed by youth participants and their families.

2.      Protect Privacy and Confidentiality

a.       Respect the privacy and dignity of youth, families, volunteers, staff, and BBBS.

b.       Not share confidential information about any participant, volunteer, employee, or BBBS business.

c.        Not post or share photos, videos, or identifying information about a youth or family without prior parental/guardian consent. If the Little is 18+, they can provide consent.

3.      Maintain Appropriate Boundaries

a.       Use good judgment regarding the timing, frequency, and nature of digital communications.

b.       Conduct all communications in a manner consistent with the mentoring relationship and BBBS's child safety standards.

c.        Be transparent in online and digital interactions.

1.       4. Use Social Media Responsibly

a.       Speak respectfully about BBBS, program participants, staff, volunteers, and families.

b.       Refrain from posting content that could negatively impact BBBS, a match, or any participant.

c.        Bigs may not connect with youth under the age of 13 through social media platforms, as most platforms require users to be at least 13 years old.

5.      Report Safety Concerns

a.       Immediately report any inappropriate communication, social media activity, technology misuse, cyberbullying, online exploitation concerns, or content that may endanger a child's health, safety, or well-being to BBBS staff.

b.       Report any suspected violations of this policy or other BBBS policies.

6.      Follow BBBS Policies and Applicable Laws

a.       Comply with all BBBS policies and procedures related to communication, technology use, child safety, confidentiality, and social networking.

b.       Adhere to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

BBBS reserves the right to review publicly available online information about volunteers as part of its ongoing commitment to child safety and program integrity.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in corrective action, including suspension or termination from participation in BBBS programs.

For Small Group Mentoring:

Littles are prohibited from using any devices, including phones, games, and tablets, except their own and any provided or approved by BBBS. Privacy controls and settings will be used to restrict accessibility of the Little to only age-appropriate content when use of devices is integrated into the small group mentoring programming.

By signing below, I give permission:

• For my child to participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program;
• For the volunteer matched with my child, who has been screened and approved by Big Brothers Big Sisters, to personally interact with and transport my child to events and match activities;
• For the school to provide social and academic information about my child to Big Brothers Big Sisters (e.g. report cards, behavior reports);
• To have my child participate in an intake interview conducted by Big Brothers Big Sisters staff and complete questionnaires throughout their time in the program containing questions about school, home life, the match, and personal interests to evaluate and improve program services;
• To have my child talk with a Big Brothers Big Sisters staff person about personal safety;
• For my child to communicate with their Big and the BBBS Program Coordinator in person, over the phone, using the BBBS communication platform/other virtual technology, using mail and/or via email;
• I acknowledge that Big Brothers Big Sisters utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and electronic recording devices to assist with the evaluation of applications, the mentor-mentee matching process, and for capturing interactions and activities within the program for both safety and program development purposes. AI technologies are safely used throughout the time of enrollment in the program to enhance experiences while ensuring security and support. I give my permission for Big Brothers Big Sisters to use AI and electronic recording devices in processing my child’s application and throughout their participation in the program;
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN utilizes text messages to communicate with participants in our program.  At any time, you wish not to receive these texts please reply STOP. You will not receive any texts from us after that. 

I understand that the program is not obligated to match my child with a volunteer and that as part of the enrollment process, I will be asked to provide additional information through an in-person interview. I understand that the information I provide in the enrollment process will be kept confidential, unless disclosure is required by law.  I understand that incidents of child abuse or neglect, past or present, will be reported to proper authorities. (Big Brothers Big Sisters  staff and all Bigs are mandated reporters) I understand that certain relevant information about my child will be discussed with the volunteer who is a prospective match (i.e. demographic information, information relevant to volunteer preferences, and information relevant to child-safety and well-being).

I certify that all of the information on this form is true and correct and that all income is reported.  I understand this information is being given for the receipt of federal funds, that the information on this application may be verified, and that deliberate misrepresentation of the information may subject me to prosecution under applicable state and federal laws. I understand this information will not affect my qualification for the program.

I, on behalf of myself and my child, completely release and forever discharge Big Brothers Big Sisters and its employees, agents, members, volunteers and all other persons on its behalf, together with any successors in interest, heirs, attorneys, agents, representatives, and all persons acting by, through, under, or in concert with them from all known and unknown charges, complaints, claims, grievances, liabilities, obligations, promises, controversies, damages, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, demands, costs, losses, debts, penalties, fees, wages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and punitive damages of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, which I may have, or may have had, against Big Brothers Big Sisters, arising from any participation in said program and activities, including but not limited to any liability to any right of action that may occur to such child directly, or to me as their guardian.  I intend and understand that this release and discharge is to be interpreted and enforced so as to provide the broadest release and discharge possible as may be permitted by law.  I understand that this information may be shared with the school or with partnership agencies when applicable.

If my child is matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister I agree to support my child’s match by reviewing the program and safety information given to me by Big Brothers Big Sisters, communicating with Big Brothers Big Sisters staff as outlined in expectations (which includes communication at least once a month in the first year of the match), and immediately reporting any concerns I might have to Big Brothers Big Sisters staff.