Osceola County YMCA Family Center

With our commitment to providing a healthy atmosphere for the growth and development of children in mind, the Y has developed standards, guidelines, and training to aid in the detection and prevention of child abuse:

• All Y staff members undergo thorough background screens, criminal history checks, and drug testing as well as reference checks during the interviewing process.
• All Y staff members who have contact with children must complete a Level 2 background screening through the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Education. They will also go through training on recognizing, reporting, and preventing child abuse.
• All Y staff members are recognized as mandated reporters of suspected child abuse under the State of Florida statutes and are therefore required to report any suspicion of abuse against those who participate in programs at the Y. This has been standard practice at the YMCA of Central Florida for decades.
• The YMCA of Central Florida has adopted a similar background screening policy for all volunteers, mandating background and criminal record checks in addition to required child abuse prevention training.
• We also screen all members, guests and program participants against a national sex offender registry to allow us to continue to provide a safe, welcoming environment for every person at the YMCA of Central Florida.
• In further support of our effort, the Y requires all staff members to sign our Child Abuse Prevention Code of Conduct in commitment to keeping kids safe.