YMCA of Coastal Georgia Strengthens Commitment to Child Safety Excellence

The YMCA of Coastal Georgia is proud to announce Jennifer McMichael as a Certified Praesidium Guardian. McMichael serves as the Childcare Operations Specialist for the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and recently participated in the Praesidium Guardian Certification workshop in September 2025.

McMichael’s Work and Learn Assignment, part of the certification process, involved reviewing and enhancing child protection and risk management procedures within the YMCA’s Child Learning Centers.

Her efforts focused on implementing strategies that support staff training, policy refinement, and a culture of safety across all centers.

“Becoming the Praesidium Guardian for the YMCA of Coastal Georgia has been such an honor and a positively transformative experience,” McMichael shared. “The certification process allowed me to gain and implement risk management skills, while also being equipped with strategies to enhance program policies and the organizations culture of safety,” she said.

Becky Lehto, Vice President of Early Learning for the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, shared her pride in McMichael’s accomplishment: “She has gone through extensive training and passed rigorous testing in order to achieve this status,” said Lehto. “Her guardianship and our upcoming Praesidium certification shows the world the high value we place on child safety and protection here at the YMCA.”

McMichael echoed the YMCA’s commitment to prioritizing safety. “As we go through the process of becoming accredited, earning Praesidium Accreditation means that we as an organization are dedicated to providing a safe environment for the children we serve,” she shared.

“It’s a commitment to utilize safe practices and demonstrates our continued and committed efforts to prevent child abuse,” added McMichael.

To learn more about the Praesidium Guardian Certification, click here.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Child Learning Centers or to enroll, click here.