MOUNTAIN LAKES — As a leading youth-serving organization, the YMCA has a responsibility to provide safe, supportive, and nurturing environments for the 6.5 million young people in its care nationwide. The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is proud to announce that it has earned Praesidium Accreditation®, the gold standard in abuse prevention, a distinction achieved after a rigorous, year-long process of evaluation, training, and continuous improvement.
Praesidium Accreditation is an evidence-based process that helps youth-serving organizations assess and strengthen their abuse prevention systems to meet the highest national standards for child safety and protection. The accreditation process required a deep, organization-wide commitment to accountability, staff training, policy alignment, and risk management.
“We’re incredibly proud to receive this honor,” said Alex Martinez, CEO of Lakeland Hills Family YMCA. “Completing the Praesidium Accreditation process over the past year has strengthened our already strong safety culture and shows our community how seriously we take our responsibility to protect children and teens.”
Across the country, nearly 100 YMCAs have received Praesidium Accreditation, with over 200 more currently engaged in the process. This accreditation is more than a one-time achievement; it reflects the Y’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a culture of safety, transparency, and trust.
At Lakeland Hills YMCA, this commitment includes:
- Comprehensive screening and onboarding of staff and volunteers
- Ongoing child abuse prevention training at all levels
- Clear and transparent reporting procedures
- Youth-focused environments where safety is always the priority
To learn more about our child protection efforts and how Lakeland Hills YMCA is leading the way in youth safety, visit www.lakelandhillsymca.com.
