Safety
One of the core values of TeamMates is safety. It’s important for mentors, mentees, parents, and facilitators to be aware of available resources and the safety protocols of the schools.
Keeping Kids Safe
As volunteers in the schools, mentors are mandatory reporters if they see their mentee hurt or planning to hurt someone. If you discover your mentee is in an unsafe situation, please utilize one of the resources below:
- Nebraska Abuse Reporting Hotline: 1-800-652-1999
- National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
- TeamMates Safety and Ethics Hotline: 1-888-788-7727
- Boys Town National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-3000
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Difficult or Crisis Situations
The mentor role is to be an advocate for their mentee to help them to be aware and access the resources they need. If mentors don’t know where to turn for answers, they should start with the contacts below:
- Your School Facilitator. Each school has at least one school facilitator to guide mentors, mentees, and parents. The school facilitator is very knowledgeable about the supports available at the school and how a mentee can access them. To find the facilitator at your school, click here.
- Your Match Support Specialist. Each school also as a TeamMates Match Support Specialist that can provide guidance. If there are questions beyond what the school can answer, contact the match support specialist. To find the match support specialist at your school, click here.
Download these additional resources to help you during these situations.
- How Caring Adults Can Help: This guide from the TeamMates National Office offers tips on how to show your mentee support during times of crisis.
- TeamMates Tips: This resource from the TeamMates Mentor Handbook provides helpful guidelines on how to support your mentee during difficult times.
School Safety Protocol
Lincoln Public Schools follows a Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Familiarize yourself with the vocabulary used and the actions taken in emergencies by downloading the SRP handout. If you are in a school during an emergency, follow the directions of the nearest staff member.
