ROC, York County leadership group team up for Safe Place

Children and teens who need a safe place for help or advice due to abuse, drug or alcohol problems, bullying and other troubles may soon find it at sites across York County.

Leadership York County and Renew Our Community, or ROC, on Wednesday announced plans to launch a countywide effort called Safe Place, part of a nationwide outreach and prevention program.

A program that began in 1983, Safe Place is used in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Black and yellow Safe Place signs are displayed at sites where people are trained to find help.

“There’s a need in York County, a desperate need, to help our teens in need,” said Bruce McKagan, executive director of ROC, which will serve as managing agency for Safe Place in York County.

McKagan said the program targets ages 11 to 17.

The local Safe Place was the idea of the 2016 class of Leadership York County, said Cindy Downing, co-chair of the group. She said ROC is “the perfect fit” to manage the program.

Downing said Safe Place has been adopted nationally by QuikTrip stores, which display the sign and offer help. However, because there was no managing agency in York County, the QuikTrip effort was managed by a Charlotte agency, she said.

“We are actually sending our people in York County in crisis to Mecklenburg County,” Downing told leaders during a launch event. “And we don’t think that’s a good thing.”

McKagan said Safe Place sites at QuikTrip stores in York County receive about 20 requests for help each year. He anticipates a need to publicize the program and increase awareness.

McKagan said a 25-member Safe Place task force has been formed, representing agencies including law enforcement, S.C. Department of Social Services, mental health agencies, schools, churches and charities.

He said the task force will set guidelines for how the program should be implemented, what actions should be taken when a teen seeks Safe Place and when authorities must be notified.

Agencies that sign up for the project would need training for their employees, he said.

McKagan said he anticipates ROC will take over as managing agency of Safe Place for the Quik Trip sites in about three months. A few months after that, he said, he anticipates the York County program may be ready to expand and add new sites.

Those new sites might include libraries, YMCAs, fire stations and social services locations. Leaders said the program is seeking partners to join the effort.

McKagan said Safe Place sites will be trained to react to a range of issues, such as the need for a listening ear or even criminal problems.

“The kids just need help,” he said, “and it’s not always legal help.”

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 4:00 PM with the headline "ROC, York County leadership group team up for Safe Place."