Safe Places is a City of Swift Current initiative that began in 2016. with the intent to improve the services and support offered to youth in our community. The very first initiative we launched was Safe Places- Youth Certification. This program was implemented to improve quality programming while reducing the potential risks to children and youth. More recently we have launched a variety of certification designations that those working or caring for youth can apply for.
Education and Training as well as background checks are part of the requirement for Safe Places certification and once approved, applicants receive a Safe Places designation which is valid for 4 years as well as are listed in our online Public Directory
We encourage all Youth Service Providers to mandate the Safe Places certification program and encourage as many communities and organizations as possible to find out how they can easily to implement this safeguarding tool as well.
Beyond the Certification program, Safe Places is committed to working with partners to make our community safer for youth. One program in particular we are proud of is our new online Child and Adolescent Community Bridge Program.
WE ARE GRATEFUL
We are grateful for our partnership with Respect Group for guiding our process and the support we have received throughout the implementation of Safe Places.
“I am so proud of the City of Swift Current for taking this leadership with the Safe Places – Youth Certified initiative. It truly is an important and unique approach to community-based child protection and I applaud all partners who are involved. It has put Swift Current ‘on the map’ in terms of being the first Canadian city to strongly promote screening and training for all community-based organizations/individuals working with youth. Congratulations!”
Sheldon Kennedy, CM AOE OM, Respect Group Co Founder and former NHL Player