Safeguarding Children
Your child's safety is extremely important to us. Big Brothers Big Sisters conducts a thorough background check on every volunteer in our program, and every relationship is closely monitored and supported by a professionally trained match coordinator.
We also provide child safety tips and training to you and your child, and we welcome your questions and feedback. Throughout the match, our professional staff will supervise the match partnership in ongoing communication with you, your child, and your child’s Big. It’s the best way to build a strong relationship that will have the greatest significance on your child’s future success.
SCREENING & SELECTION OF BIGS
Making the best possible match between Little and Big is critical to the growth and development of a child. But before we begin the matching process, we start by thoroughly screening potential Bigs.
Big Brothers Big Sisters National Standards of Excellence require each volunteer to complete an extensive screening process that includes:
• Completion of a formal written application
• Background and reference checks
• An in-person interview
• An orientation and training process that outlines the individualized needs of your child and provides information and resources on how to encourage your child’s development
PROFESSIONAL MATCH SUPPORT
Our highly qualified, specially trained match support professionals are responsible for helping to ensure that relationships between Littles and Bigs are developing in a healthy, safe way for everyone involved. They’re also responsible for helping guide mentoring relationships that will be enduring and enriching, and result in positive outcomes for youth.
• Our ongoing match support process is extensive, and includes:
• Required match supervision by trained staff, including ongoing communication with match participants for the life of a match
• Professional monitoring of adherence to safety-related policies and procedures focused on maintaining appropriate boundaries
• Nationwide technology that tracks and monitors match activities and Littles’ progress in areas such as academics
