At our legislative briefing on child sexual abuse prevention earlier this month, Nick Cacciolfi, Recreation Director for the Town of Winchester, shared his experience working with the Safe Kids Thrive team at the Children’s Trust to build a child sexual abuse prevention strategy for the Town.
“As we restarted our programs [after COVID-19], it became obvious we needed a more intentional approach to child safety,” said Cacciolfi. “Some programs were operating in silos. Our manuals and handbooks hadn’t been updated in years, and we didn’t have the capacity to address it all ourselves.”
Searching for expert help, Cacciolfi came across Safe Kids Thrive, a first-of-its-kind website that helps youth-serving organizations develop prevention plans and procedures tailored to their organization’s needs. What began as a simple online inquiry quickly became a critical turning point for the department.
“I wasn’t expecting much when I sent the message—maybe a reply in a week or two,” he recalled. “Instead, I heard back the next day. They had a team ready to help.”
Within days, Cacciolfi was meeting with the Safe Kids Thrive team via Zoom. They discussed Winchester’s needs, goals, and developed a clear, collaborative plan for moving forward. Despite the department’s strained post-pandemic budget, the team assured him that cost would not be a barrier—something Cacciolfi called “a huge relief.”
Over the next two months, the Safe Kids Thrive team worked closely with Cacciolfi and his staff to review and update the department’s policies and practices. The team’s expertise and responsiveness allowed the department to move through a comprehensive review process efficiently and effectively.
“They met us where we were,” said Cacciolfi. “They broke everything down into manageable pieces and helped us identify what we had, what was missing, and how to align it all into one consistent policy. We couldn’t have done this alone—not with everything else we were juggling at the time.”
The outcome was a living child safety document that now serves as the foundation for all programs across the department. It is used to guide everything from daily operations to new staff onboarding and seasonal employee training. More than a policy, it’s a practical tool that provides clear guidance on recognizing and responding to concerns, promoting a shared understanding of safety responsibilities among all staff.
“It’s really helped empower our team,” said Cacciolfi. “Whether it’s a teen working their first summer job or a full-time staff member with years of experience, they now know exactly what steps to take if something doesn’t seem right.”
The Safe Kids Thrive team continues to offer periodic training sessions for staff, helping reinforce the department’s culture of safety and keep best practices top of mind. These trainings have been well-received, offering staff the tools and confidence they need to take action when it matters most.
For Cacciolfi, the impact of Safe Kids Thrive goes beyond Winchester.
“There are so many directors like me across the state who are facing the same challenges—outdated policies, limited budgets, and growing program demands,” he said. “The support we received from the Children’s Trust was exactly what we needed. I know it could make a difference for others, too.”
Cacciolfi emphasized the importance of continued investment in programs like Safe Kids Thrive, especially for youth-serving organizations that carry significant responsibility but often lack internal resources for policy development and training.
“These services are absolutely essential,” he said. “This isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting children. If we only get one thing right in this work, it has to be child safety—mentally, emotionally, and physically.”
Thanks to the partnership with the Children’s Trust, Winchester Recreation now has the foundation and ongoing support it needs to keep kids safe and staff prepared. For Cacciolfi, that peace of mind is invaluable.
“Safe Kids Thrive has been a game-changer for us. I can’t thank the Children’s Trust enough.”
