Safe & Supportive Environment

Table of Contents
The Framework

A high-quality program creates a physically and emotionally safe space where all youth feel supported, respected, and a strong sense of belonging to help them learn and grow.

Indicators:

  • The program maintains proper staff-to-youth ratios, follows safety check-in/check-out procedures, conducts background checks for all staff, adheres to relevant license guidelines (if applicable), and has clear emergency preparedness plans that staff practice regularly.
  • The program provides welcoming, safe, and secure physical spaces that support all youth activities, with both indoor and outdoor environments that allow for different types of learning and group activities.
  • The program makes sure youth have access to water, healthy snacks or meals, and time for physical activity to support their well-being.
  • The program staff create an environment where youth and their families feel emotionally safe, respected, and comfortable sharing their concerns with staff and one another.

How to start or improve:

Texas Standards of High-Quality Out of School Time Programs

Standard Category 1: Safety, Health, and Nutrition establishes clear expectations for creating physically and emotionally safe spaces that foster belonging, respect, healthy behaviors, and access to nutritious food so all youth can learn and thrive.

Access this Resource
Texas Partnership for Out of School Time (TXPOST)
Jenny McClure, Director of Programs
jenny@txpost.org

Category 2: Teacher-Child Interactions of the Texas Rising Star guidelines help programs foster a safe, supportive environment by mandating warm, responsive teacher-child interactions, positive reinforcement, and lower staff-to-child ratios. These standards specifically address physical safety through consistent supervision and emotional security through positive, respectful engagement that supports child self-regulation.

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Texas State Alliance of YMCAs
https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/texas-rising-star

Facility, program, and promoting a culture of safety are important to the Salvation Army and the programs it offers, including their Red Shield Youth Centers. The Salvation Army takes a multi-layered, comprehensive approach to safety through their 6 P’s: personnel, participants, program, place, privacy, and procedures.

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The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Centers of Texas
Carlos Martinez, Divisional Red Shield Youth Center Director of Operations
carlos.martinez@uss.salvationarmy.org

The 7 Characteristics of Quality Programs follow the Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach, which aims to provide a positive relationship, a positive experience, and a positive environment. One of the 7 Characteristics of Quality Programs is physical & psychological safety, which ensures programs have safe and health-promoting facilities and practices that increase safe peer group interaction and decrease unsafe or confrontational peer interactions.

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The BOOST Network (United Way of El Paso County)
Enrique Garcia, Healthy Kids Director
boost@unitedwayelpaso.org

The Fort Worth SPARC Quality Environment standards address how a program looks and feels: the physical space, its safety and security, the atmosphere it conveys, and aspects of health and nutrition.

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Fort Worth SPARC
Tobi Jackson, Executive Director
tobi.jackson@fortworthsparc.org

The AQuA tool supports a safe and supportive environment by ensuring programs maintain safe, well-equipped spaces, implement consistent procedures for supervision and transitions, foster a positive, respectful culture with clear expectations, and prioritize the emotional and psychological safety of all youth.

Dallas Afterschool
Olga Gonzalez, Vice President of Program Services
ogonzalez@dallasafterschool.org

6DQ emphasizes emotionally safe, inclusive learning climates where youth feel valued, respected, and connected. These standards include clear practices for building community, honoring culture and identity, establishing routines, and ensuring respectful dialogue—directly supporting belonging, emotional safety, and supportive adult‑youth relationships.

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Big Thought
Inquiries can be made using the form on the page linked to below.
https://www.bigthoughtinstitute.org/contact-us