JCC and Youth
The Jewish Community Center of Omaha reaches out to the entire community
and provides its members with a unique opportunity to associate through
a variety of social, cultural, recreational, educational and physical
fitness program, activities and services.
Our Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center, Youth Services Department
and Teen Programming Department offer children a safe, nurturing and fun
filled environment in which to learn and grow.
Parents place their trust in the JCC to help their children thrive. Our
mission - to create a positive Jewish environment in which children
build, strengthen and preserve Jewish Identity and traditions - are part
of everything we do. Because of this, we place great value on creating
the most child-safe environment possible.
OUR STAFF
The Jewish Community Center of Omaha has
more than 100 staff members and volunteers working with
youth in the many programs we offer.
OUR SCREENING
To keep children in our programs safe
we take the following steps in our intensive screening of
employees and volunteers:
- Detailed application forms
- Comprehensive interview process
- Reference checks
- Criminal background record checks
OUR TRAINING
Employees complete an extensive child
abuse prevention training program. Supervisors and
managers complete additional training to further promote a
child-safe environment. All staff members are mandated to
report any suspected child abuse.
OUR POLICIES
Staff is prohibited from working one-on-one
with youth outside of the JCC. Policies exist to ensure
staff and volunteers are not alone with a child.
The JCC does not encourage or endorse the use of our staff
as babysitters or caregivers to members they have met in our
programs. If a parent chooses to hire a staff member, the
parent has been guided that they should conduct their own
interview and background check to make sure the individual
meets their own needs and criteria.
Child abusers can be parents, caretakers, friends, neighbors,
or anyone who comes in contact with your child—even other
youth. It takes everyone’s help to stop the cycle of abuse.
WORKING TOGETHER FOR SAFETY
Talk to your child about his or her experiences in JCC
programs, school, sports, and other activities.
Drop in on your child’s programs.
Trust your instincts. Don’t wait to tell us if something
seems “strange.” Speak up!
Watch for warning signs of abuse:
- Unexplainable bruising or other physical markings
- Disturbed sleeping or eating patterns
- Abrupt changes in behavior-anxiety, clinging,
aggressiveness, withdrawal, depression
- Fear of certain person or place
- Discomfort with physical contact
- A child who abuses other children
Listen and watch for signs of your child receiving
special attention that other children or teens are not
receiving, including favors, treats, gifts, rides, increasing
affection or time alone, particularly outside the activities
of school, child care, or other activities.
Every once in a while, ask your child these
questions:
- Is anyone scaring or threatening you?
- Is anyone asking you to keep secrets?
- Has anyone said anything to you that made you feel
bad?
- Is anyone touching you in a way that you don’t like?
Encourage your child to tell you or another trusted
adult if anything happens to him or her.
Read our staff Code of Conduct. If someone breaks
it, let us know immediately.
Also, please download our Child Safe Environment brochure.