Dear Parents & Caregivers,

A principal endeavor of the Middlesex Y is to provide an atmosphere for the growth and development of youth and children. Thus, the mistreatment or neglect of youth or children and the resulting severe effects are of primary concern to the Y. Child abuse is mistreatment or neglect of a child by parent(s) or others resulting in injury or harm. Abuse can lead to severe emotional, physical and behavioral problems. Because of its concern for the welfare of children and youth, the Y has developed policies, standards, guidelines and training to aid in the detection and prevention of child abuse.

The Northern Middlesex YMCA Abuse Prevention Policy can be found on our website using the link below.

https://www.midymca.org/abuse-prevention-at-the-middlesex-y

In today’s connected world, kids are spending more time in the digital space than ever - learning, playing, and communicating. With that comes the need for vigilance and awareness.

That’s why the Northern Middlesex YMCA is taking part in the Five Days of Action®, a national movement to protect children from abuse and promote safety in all spaces where kids live, learn, and play. This year’s theme focuses on digital safety, empowering families with tools to help children navigate technology responsibly and safely.

In 2026, the Y has partnered with Praesidium, National Center for Exploited and Missing Children (NCMEC), Lauren’s Kids, and National Children’s Alliance to offer additional resources for parents and caregivers. You’ll find all the partner resources below. To join the movement or sign the pledge, visit fivedaysofaction.org.

Recognizing Red Flags Certain behaviors can signal risk for child sexual abuse and understanding them helps you act early to keep kids safe. This infographic1 shows what to watch for—whether the behavior may be low, moderate, or high risk—and these behaviors, or grooming, can show up both in person and online situations. Visit nationalchildrensalliance.org/the-real-red-flags-of-grooming for more information on red flag behaviors from National Children’s Alliance.

Staying on Top of Digital Trends From apps to gaming, staying on top of digital trends can be overwhelming. NCMEC offers free resources to help trusted adults understand online risks—including sextortion and the growing use of generative AI—and talk with kids about staying safe. Check out the tip sheets below and be sure to explore the other NCMEC resources at ncmec.org/netsmartz/resources. Generative AI Tip Sheet (English) Sextortion Tip Sheet (English) Sextortion Tip Sheet (Spanish)

Monitoring Digital Use Did you know 1 in 5 children who use a digital device will be sexually solicited online? Technology changes fast, and kids are targeted on the apps, games, and sites they love. Having a Cyber P.L.A.N., monitoring device use, and teaching online safety rules can help keep your child safe. Lauren’s Kids has provided the following resources by age group to help you learn how to set boundaries, teach good cyber habits, and protect your family online.

• https://www.facebook.com/NationalChildrensAlliance 
• https://www.instagram.com/natlchildrensalliance/ 
• https://www.ymca.org/what-we-do/youth-development/child-care/five-days-action 
• https://www.facebook.com/NationalChildrensAlliance 
• https://www.facebook.com/NationalChildrensAlliance 
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-children's-alliance/ 
• https://www.youtube.com/thencaonline 
• https://www.facebook.com/ncmec 
• https://www.instagram.com/ncmec/ 
• https://www.youtube.com/@ncmec 
• https://www.facebook.com/laurenskids 
• https://www.youtube.com/user/LaurensKids 
• https://www.praesidiuminc.com/ 
• https://ncmec.org/home 
• https://laurenskids.org/ 
• https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/cac-model/ 
• https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/the-real-red-flags-of-grooming/ 
• https://ncmec.org/netsmartz/resources 

Sincerely,

Michele Rulnick

Northern Middlesex YMCA President/CEO