OVERNIGHT VISITS POLICY
BBBSA agencies must have a policy that prohibits overnight visits generally. Exceptions to this policy are permitted in cases where one of the following specific criteria have been met AND the required authorizations have been documented:
• There is genuine concern for the safety of a child returning to their own home (emergency circumstances).
OR
• An event is formally designated by the agency as one that (1) is of a nature to provide an exceptionally significant developmental or educational benefit to a child or youth and (2) that the event would not be possible without the Big accompanying the Little (a college visit for example).
Authorization of an exception to the policy prohibiting overnight visits may be made by the agency’s CEO/Executive Director after the following steps have been taken:
• Documented confirmation that the Big/Little relationship has been in place for at least one year
• Documented professional assessment of healthy relationship development between match parties with no violations of agency policy including code of conduct
• Documented pre-approval by a parent/guardian and professional staff with the exception of an emergency circumstance (see above)
• Documented plans for privacy in: sleeping, changing clothes, bathing/showering
• Documented consideration of reasonable alternatives
• Documented professional staff monitoring for any safety concerns following the event
Policy on Overnights
Big Brothers Big Sisters El Paso strictly prohibits overnights visits. At BBBSEP our priority is to establish, support and maintain healthy and safe one to one youth mentorship. An overnight is defined as an extended period of time when parties within the match would customarily be sleeping.
BBBSEP has a zero tolerance policy with any infraction of this policy and reserves the right to close the match if any participant does not follow the agreement.
Rare exceptions to this policy may be made by either the CEO, Executive VP, or Program Director in instances where:
• There is genuine concern for the safety of a youth returning to their own home (emergency circumstances).
OR
• An event is formally designated by the agency as one that (1) is of a nature to provide an exceptionally significant developmental or educational benefit to a child or youth and (2) that the event would not be possible without the Big accompanying the Little (a college visit for example).
Program Staff requesting an exception to the policy will complete and submit the pre-overnight form to the Executive VP or Program Director. The form will include a match assessment and documentation including:
• The Big/Little relationship has been in place for at least one year
• Documentation of a healthy relationship development between match parties with no violations of agency policy, including code of conduct
• Documentation of pre-approval by parents/guardian and professional staff with the exception of an emergent circumstance (see above)
• Document plans for privacy in: sleeping, changing clothes, bathing/showering
• Document consideration of reasonable alternatives
• Documentation of the timeline for the overnight visit
• Documentation of requirement for follow up within 48 hours of overnight visit completion with all parties of the match
Executive Vice President or Program Director will review the request and notify staff of overnight visit approval or denial.