It is the policy of the C. J. Smith Mentoring Program that all staff, mentors, and other representatives of the program must report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect of agency clients or program participants immediately. All such suspected reports must be made to the appropriate state and/or local authorities. Program staff must follow the mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect procedure.
All employees, volunteers, and mentors of the C. J. Smith Mentoring Program are required to undergo training as to what constitutes child abuse and neglect, what the state statutes are, and how to properly report such cases.
Any staff, volunteers, or mentors accused of child abuse or neglect will be investigated by the agency. Contact with program youth will be restricted or constrained and/or the person in question suspended from employment or program participation per the decision of the executive director and board of directors until such investigation is concluded.