Youth Protection Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development

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

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”

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

Youth Protection History Youth Protection program piloted in four Wisconsin counties 1994 – State WACEC organization endorsed the youth protection program 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

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 (now incorporated with 4HPlus enrollment form)

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

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

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

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

Youth Protection Policies Host families: Attendance at a volunteer orientation program is required for all host parent/guardians who aren’t currently enrolled 4-H Youth Development volunteers Background checks are required for all adults, 18 and over, living with host family

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

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

Recommended Practices When a Wisconsin volunteer is transferring to your county, call the previous county staff member for information on the volunteer, request written documentation When a challenging volunteer is transferring from your county to another Wisconsin county, call your colleague to share your experience Have support staff and key volunteers sign a confidentiality statement

Recommended Practices Documentation in 4HPlus: Volunteer applicants who have not completed all Youth Protection steps must be identified as “Pending.” These records will not be recognized as active volunteers Volunteers successfully completing all steps of the Youth Protection process are identified as “Accepted”

Recommended Practices Documentation in 4HPlus: If volunteers have driving or financial restrictions, they should be identified as “Accepted with Restrictions” - reasons for the restrictions should be noted in the Restriction Explanation field Use caution in wording when identifying the reason a volunteer applicant has been rejected or accepted with restrictions

Recommended Practices Do not add Social Security numbers into any computer database Insurance is only available to volunteers completing the full process Check the Wisconsin Sex Offender List, a free website:

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

Handling Concerns When a concern is identified, contact your liaison or Sue Pleskac to discuss the situation before taking action Check with potential or continuing volunteer to verify accuracy of records A potential volunteer with alcohol-related driving offenses may become a volunteer, but should be restricted from driving youth at any time in their volunteer capacity A potential volunteer with financial mismanagement should be restricted from handling 4-H money in any capacity

Handling Concerns Written communications should be copied to key volunteers on a “need to know” basis For continuing volunteer with new charges related to child abuse: suspend the volunteer pending the outcome of the charges For a continuing volunteer with a recent conviction related to child abuse: terminate the volunteer

Returning to Your Office Check to see that your county is in full compliance with the Youth Protection policies

Prepared by Donna Menart Associate State Program Director 4-H Youth Development Updated September 2009 Sue Pleskac, Volunteer Leadership Specialist