The Beau Biden Foundation congratulates the Harlem Academy for completing the Beau Biden Foundation’s Shield of Protection® assessment. The Harlem Academy is an independent school in New York City that “prepares bright, motivated students for success at top secondary schools and lifelong learning. The school offers merit-based admissions, cultivates strong family partnerships, and ensures its economic diversity by meeting all demonstrated needs for tuition support.” 

The Shield of Protection is an innovative collaboration between the Beau Biden Foundation, schools, and youth-serving organizations who recognize that safeguarding children from abuse starts with having robust and best-practice child protection policies. Through the Shield of Protection collaboration, the Harlem Academy now has the gold-standard in child protection policies and procedures – ensuring their student body is shielded from abuse, neglect, and bullying.  

Every year, nearly 700,000 children are abused in the United States. Five children will die every day from abuse or neglect. One in 10 children will be sexually abused by the time they turn 18. All of these numbers are sure to have increased during the current health crisis as a result of children potentially sheltering in dangerous places – with an abusive or predatory relative. 

Shield of Protection Testimonials:

“I am very proud that we have partnered with [the Beau Biden Foundation] to achieve this designation, particularly as it comes not as a response but as proactive work in the best interest of our kids. And, I am very thankful for [the Foundation’s] continued support as we implement and engage with all that has been put in place.”

-Vincent Dotoli, Head of School, Harlem Academy 

“Child safety is at the foundation of everything we do, and we are so proud to be among the Shield of Protection recipients. We’re very appreciative of your guidance and look forward to continued collaboration!”

                                                                  -Vanessa Scanfeld, Strategy Director, Harlem Academy        

The Harlem Academy joins a continually growing list of participants in the Shield of Protection that includes Girls of the Run International, Special Olympics International, Friends of the Children, 826, St. Edmond’s Academy, Upland Country Day School, the Delaware Art Museum, Tower Hill School, and the Delaware Nature Society.

The Beau Biden Foundation invites all schools and youth-serving organizations to partner with us in protecting children through the Shield of Protection. For more information about the Shield of Protection and how your school or youth-serving organization can help protect children, please visit www.BeauBidenFoundation.org/ShieldOfProtection.