The Sheridan County YMCA has implemented new youth policies to meet the strict criteria needed for Child Abuse Prevention certification with Praesidium, an abuse risk management firm. According to Sheridan County YMCA Executive Director Liz Cassiday, every YMCA in the nation must become Praesidium Certified by 2028.

Key Changes to the Policy

One of the key changes to the policy is that children under the age of 12 can no longer attend the YMCA unsupervised. This change is part of a larger effort to ensure the safety and well-being of all children who participate in YMCA programs. The YMCA has been working on this certification process for over two years, led by Senior Director of Youth Alicia Knight.

The certification process involves a comprehensive self-assessment to identify gaps in child abuse prevention safety policies. This includes reviewing policies on staff training, gift-giving, and physical contact with children. The YMCA has been working to address these gaps and implement new policies to ensure a safe environment for all children.

Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.