Youth Protection

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Youth Protection

• Wisconsin
• 4-H Youth Development

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Purpose of Youth Protection

• The primary purpose of the Youth Protection
• Program is to ensure the safety and well-being of
• all participants
• Youth
• Their parents and families
• Salaried and volunteer staff

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Benefits of Youth Protection

• Communicates program priority of youth safety to
  parents and the public
• Provides the opportunity to meet and orient all
  new volunteers
• Background records check serves as a deterrent
  for abusers looking for a youth opportunity

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Youth Protection History

• 1990 National Extension Committee on
  Organization and Policy urges states to develop
  child abuse policy and guidelines for paid and
  volunteer Extension personnel
• 1992 A Wisconsin committee of staff and
  volunteers was given the responsibility to
  develop a youth protection program
• 1993 The Wisconsin 4-H Youth and Adult Leader
  Councils supported the program developed by the
  committee, including a requirement that all
  continuing leaders go through the full process

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Youth Protection History

• 1993-94 Youth Protection program piloted in four
  Wisconsin counties
• 1994 State WACEC organization endorsed the
  youth protection program
• 1994 - Youth Protection policies were adopted
  Youth Protection program was implemented
  statewide
• 2002 Updated Youth Protection materials were
  distributed
• 2003 Volunteers annually sign expectations
  statement records re-checked every four years

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Youth Protection Process

• Volunteer Application Form
• Check for length of residence in Wisconsin
• Check driving record
• Check for conviction of crime involving a minor
• Volunteer Behavior Expectations Form
• Signed annually

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Youth Protection Process

• Attendance at Orientation Session
• Great opportunity to meet new volunteers
• Child abuse section must be taught as is
• Personalize the orientation to your county
• Independent study can be offered at the
  discretion of the county

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Youth Protection Process

• Background Records/Reference Check
• Background check for Wisconsin residents through
  Department of Justice on-line system
• Consult with district liaison if questionable
  records are identified
• Reference check for those living in Wisconsin for
  less than 3 years
• Driving record questions should be submitted to
  Kay Hobler for review by UW-Extension Risk
  Management
• Youth Protection cards issued

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Youth Protection Policies

• All volunteers, age 18 and over, who work with
  youth in the 4-H Youth Development program on an
  ongoing basis will participate in the full Youth
  Protection process
• Volunteers having background checks and child
  abuse training will need to participate
• Applies to 4-H community club and UW-Extension
  community outreach program volunteers

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Youth Protection Policies

• The following individuals are not required to
  complete the Youth Protection process
• Youth leaders
• A guest speaker or presenter working under the
  visual supervision of an enrolled volunteer or
  Extension staff member

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Youth Protection Policies

• Host families
• Attendance at a volunteer orientation program is
  required for all host parent/guardians who arent
  currently enrolled 4-H Youth Development
  volunteers
• Background checks are required for all adults, 18
  and over, living with host family.

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Youth Protection Policies

• Returning volunteers
• Absent for 1-4 years background records check,
  signed volunteer expectations form
• Absent for 5 or more years must complete the
  full Youth Protection process

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Youth Protection Policies

• Records must be re-checked every four
  years for all volunteers
• Records with evidence of behavior related to
  child safety require further investigation and
  possible action

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Managing Records

• Application forms/background checks should be
  handled in confidential manner
• Applications and background checks should be
  stored in a locked file cabinet
• Consider an individual file for each volunteer

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Prepared by

• Donna Menart
• Associate State Program Director
• 4-H Youth Development
• Revised 2008