Our mentors are obligated under Federal and State laws to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities. We are also required to report threats of self-harm, suicide, and harm done to others. Our full reporting policies can be found here:
Here at Alonesy, it is of the utmost importance that teenagers can feel comfortable enough to privately talk about what is going on for them with their mentors, without fear of shame or judgment. Unconditional support is a key foundational block of Alonesy, and is taken seriously.
That being said, safety is our number one priority. It is important that caregivers and teens know that there are some things that cannot be kept private due to safety concerns. These include:
- incidences of physical abuse
- incidences of sexual abuse
- incidences of neglect of basic needs
- suicidal plans/behaviors
- homicidal plans/behaviors
There are also some other aspects of a teenager's life that may be considered high risk for harm, and will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Reports made are strictly based on safety concerns, and will not be made otherwise. These include:
- sexual activity
- drinking/drug use
- self-harm
- suicidal thoughts
- homicidal thoughts
Prior to any reporting, mentors will discuss exactly what is going on with their mentee, keeping the goal of understanding and empathizing as a priority, in tandem with safety. Mentors are strongly encouraged to collaboratively brainstorm with their mentees about whether they are at risk for harm.
Once they have all the information, mentors will also have the support of their supervisors to figure out what steps are appropriate and necessary, if any. Caregivers will only be notified of teen’s behaviors if there are safety concerns. Reports to authorities (child services, emergency services, etc.) will not be made without notification to both the teen and caregiver.
