YMCA OF FREDERICK COUNTY EARNS HIGHEST HONOR FOR ABUSE PREVENTION PRACTICES

FREDERICK, Md., April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The YMCA of Frederick County was recently awarded Praesidium Accreditation® by Praesidium, the leader in abuse risk management. This prestigious honor publicly demonstrates the YMCA of Frederick County's efforts to achieve the highest industry standards in abuse prevention.

To achieve Accreditation, the YMCA of Frederick County underwent a rigorous process to implement Praesidium's Accreditation Standards focusing on eight primary operational areas within their business: policies, screening and selection, training, monitoring and supervision, consumer participation, internal feedback systems, responding, and administrative practices. Praesidium then verified the Y's successful implementation of these standards.

The YMCA of Frederick County will be accredited for three years, and during this time will commit to uphold fundamental organizational values and stringent safety practices that demonstrate their commitment to protecting those in their care from abuse. With the Praesidium Accreditation® providing solid proof of sound risk management practices, the honor distinguishes the YMCA of Frederick County from others in their industry.

"At the YMCA of Frederick County, safety is not just a priority—it's a core part of who we are," says President & CEO Chris Colville. "Earning Praesidium Accreditation is a powerful affirmation of our unwavering commitment to protecting the children, teens, and vulnerable individuals who walk through our doors every day. This recognition reflects the intentional work our team has done to create a culture of safety—from how we train our staff and volunteers, to how we monitor programs, and how we continually evaluate and strengthen our practices."

While the YMCA of the USA requires all Ys across the nation to uphold fundamental organizational values, standard safety and child sexual abuse prevention practices, the Praesidium Accreditation® distinguishes an organization's abuse policies and practices at levels above and beyond.

The Y's mission largely focuses on providing safe spaces for the individuals and families it serves. To learn more on how the YMCA of Frederick County keeps children in the Frederick County area safeguarded against abuse through staff training, policies, protocols, and ongoing knowledge of awareness and prevention, visit frederickymca.org/about-us/child-abuse-prevention.

About the Y
The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Y's engage 21 million men, women, and children – regardless of age, income, or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but also to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.frederickymca.org

About Praesidium
Praesidium specializes in preventing sexual abuse in organizations that serve youth and vulnerable adults. Over a period in excess of 30 years, the company has reviewed over 4,000 cases of abuse within organizations to determine the root causes of sexual abuse within organizational settings. Praesidium employs more than 50 staff, including licensed social workers, lawyers, health care researchers, and other experts. The company has served over 5,000 clients with a broad range of products and services to aid organizations in preventing abuse, including online and instructor–led trainings, organizational risk assessments, model policies, and background checks. Having trained more than one million people online and hundreds of thousands in person, Praesidium is the largest and most comprehensive sexual abuse risk management firm globally. Learn more at www.PraesidiumInc.com

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SOURCE YMCA of Frederick County