Youth Protection Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development.

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

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

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)


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


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


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


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


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


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


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”


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


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: http:/offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/

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

Youth Protection Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development.

Documents

Transcript of Youth Protection Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development.