Stroudsburg, PA, January 2025 – Pocono Family YMCA, one of the Pocono's oldest youth serving organizations, has been awarded Praesidium Accreditation® by Praesidium, the leader in abuse risk management. Praesidium Accreditation® is a prestigious honor that publicly demonstrates the organization has worked to achieve the highest industry standards in abuse prevention.
To achieve Accreditation, Pocono Family YMCA 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 Pocono Family YMCA's successful implementation of these standards. Pocono Family YMCA 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.
Praesidium Accreditation® provides solid proof of sound risk management practices and the honor distinguishes Pocono Family YMCA from others in their industry. "We are pleased to send the message that we will not compromise the safety of those in our care—for any reason," said Scott Peckins, Pocono Family YMCA, CEO. "As an entire organization, we are dedicated and committed to proactively keeping those in our care safe from sexual abuse."
About the YMCA
The Pocono Family YMCA is a community-focused organization that aims to promote health, wellness, and social responsibility in the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania. The YMCA offers a wide range of programs and services for individuals and families of all ages. From fitness classes and swimming lessons to youth development programs and community outreach initiatives, the YMCA strives to create a positive impact in the area. With a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, the Pocono Family YMCA continues to be a pillar of support and enrichment for the community.
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.