(1) General Child Safety Policies
a. Little will not visit Big’s home for the first 3 months
of the match relationship. (CB)
After the match relationship has reached 3 months, matches
must discuss a home visit with their assigned Match Support Specialist.
After the initial visit to Big’s home, each visit after needs to be
discussed with and approved by the parent. Home Visit Consent form must be
completed.
b. Overnight outings are not allowed unless it is vital to a
child's development. (CB)
c. Outings
such as kayaking, canoeing, boating, or any activity that exposes Little to a
higher risk of injury outside of "normal" activity must have prior
approval from agency. Both Parent/Guardian and Volunteer must sign the Accident
Waiver and Release of Liability form.
d. All Match participants must follow the BBBS Social Media
policy. (CB,SB)
e. All Match participants are prohibited from the use of
Alcohol and Illicit Drugs during outings. Tobacco use by the Volunteer
Big may be permitted with permission of the parent/guardian. (CB,SB)
f. Weapons, firearms and ammunition will be made
inaccessible at all times to a child while he or she is in the
Volunteer’s care, unless participating in specific, approved activity(ies),
which the parent/guardian and Volunteer Big have approved in advance and
such approval is documented in the match file. (CB,SB)
g. Any and all suspected child abuse will be reported to
child protection authorities in accordance with state
law. (CB,SB)
h. Volunteers and Parent/Guardians must complete required
online training. In addition, volunteers will complete an in person or virtual
Pre-Match Training. (CB,SB)
i. **All information is considered
confidential** (CB,SB)
(2) Transportation (CB)
a. Seatbelts will be worn by all program participants.
Children must sit in the backseat of the car until they are 13 years
old.
b. Volunteer Bigs may only transport the child with whom
they are matched. If the Volunteer Big chooses to transport other people
during an outing, the volunteer assumes all liability and financial
responsibility.
c. Only BBBS approved Volunteer Bigs and/or staff members
may transport a child involved in the BBBS program.
(3) Medical Procedures (CB)
a. All Parent/Guardians of Littles must sign a medical
consent form allowing BBBS and the Volunteer Big to seek medical care in
an emergency situation.
b. BBBS staff and Volunteer Bigs are not permitted to
administer any medication to children in the program. (CB,SB)
c. In case of a medical accident or incident, Volunteer Big
and Parent/Guardian should immediately notify BBBS. (CB,SB)
(4) Communication
a. Parents/Guardians should be informed and approve of all
match activities. (CB)
b. In Community-Based programs there should be open
communication between all match parties (Parent, child and volunteer) and
agency staff (children should never be asked to keep a secret). In
Site-Based programs, volunteers do not have communication with child's parents.
In the case of Site-Based Matches, communication is between agency staff,
child, volunteer and school/community center.
c. Respect for all match parties should be demonstrated at
all times. (CB,SB)
d. All match parties must sign and agree to abide by the
social media policy of BBBS. (CB,SB)
e. Match Support Contact: Match parties must complete
monthly Match Support Contact with BBBS if matched under one year. Match
parties must complete Match Support Contact with BBBS every 3 months if
match continues past the first year. This can be done in person or over the
phone. For matches that have been established for over 6 months,
electronic Match Support Contact is acceptable with Parent/Guardians and
Volunteer Bigs if the match is not struggling and there are no safety
concerns. Electronic Match Support Contact must demonstrate a 2-way
dialog between BBBS and match participant. (CB,SB)
(5) Limit Setting through Positive
Reinforcement (CB,SB)
a. Positive limit setting strategies based on the age of the
child and any developmental concerns (i.e. ADHD, Special Needs, etc.)
should be followed by the Volunteer Bigs.
b. Corporal punishment, verbally and/or emotionally abusive
means of discipline, by Volunteer Bigs is strictly prohibited.
(6) Involvement with the Child and The Child’s Family
a. Any gift buying should be approved in advance by the
parent/guardian with agency staff notified when a gift of an excessive
nature is given to a child. Gift buying should be limited to special
occasions. (CB,SB)
b. Big are not allowed to provide any monetary donation to
the Little’s family. Exceptions can be made with prior approval of agency
staff. (CB,SB)
c. Matches should not get together more than once a week
during the first year of the match. (CB)
d. Other children (friends or family members of the Little)
should not be included in the outings between the Big and Little.
Children of the Big should only be included occasionally on outings and the Big
and Little must still have one-on-one time together. (CB)
e. The Little should not be left alone with any adult or
child other than the Big at any time during the outing. (CB)
(7) Respect for Privacy and Personal Boundaries
Children have the right to feel safe at all times.
Appropriate and positive interactions between Bigs and Littles are essential
in supporting positive youth development and making youth feel valued. Our
ground rules surrounding adult and child interactions support strategies
that help children establish a clear set of personal safety boundaries
promoting skill-building that may prevent the child from becoming the victim of
violence and/or exploitation (bullying, child sexual abuse, internet
exploitation, dating violence, etc.) and/or encourage a child to disclose
abuse or victimization.
a. Volunteers Bigs should always seek permission from the
child before any physical contact (Is it ok if I give you a hug?). (CB,SB)
b. Physical contact between the Volunteer Big and Little
that includes tickling, wrestling, pinching, backrubs, or asking a child
to sit on an adult’s lap is strictly prohibited. These types of contact are
likely to violate a child’s personal boundaries. (CB,SB)
c. Display or discussion of any materials of a sexual nature
is strictly prohibited. (CB,SB)
d. Volunteer Bigs must be able to provide separate, private
areas for a child to: change clothes, bathe, shower. (CB)
e. Volunteer Bigs should never sleep or nap with a
child. (CB,SB)
f. Volunteer Bigs should never come between a parent and
their child; Volunteer Bigs need to respect a parent’s role and
authority. (CB,SB)
Failure to follow all stated policies will lead to MATCH
CLOSURE.