Sarasota Safe Children Coalition Limits Media Access

Sarasota's Safe Children Coalition has established strict protocols for media inquiries, limiting authorized spokespeople to the Lead Agency's president/CEO, COO, or VP of Communications.

The policy covers all questions about specific cases, emergencies, operations, positive events, and recruitment efforts. Staff members who are approached by reporters must decline to comment and pass contact information to an authorized spokesperson.

When TV crews are present, staff should remain calm and professional, avoid blocking cameras, and not say "no comment," which the coalition says sounds evasive. Instead, staff should repeat they are not the appropriate person to speak with media.

The coalition warns that unauthorized statements can damage employee and agency reputations and carry criminal and financial consequences. Any media contact triggers an incident report and notification of SCC leadership.