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Program Management
Youth Protection Program
Policy Number: C.E.S.P. 3-21
Date Revised: 8-25-2009
Supersedes: 2-20-2007 |
Summary: Establishes policy and procedures regarding
child abuse prevention, recognition and reporting.
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Legally, "child" means any person under 18 years of age.
"Abuse" means any physical injury, mental injury, or sexual mistreatment
inflicted on a child other than by accidental means or an injury which
is at variance with the history given. Child abuse includes
non-accidental physical injury, neglect, sexual molestation, and
emotional abuse. "Neglect" means failure to provide, by those legally
responsible for the care and maintenance of the child, the proper or
necessary support; education, as required by law; or medical, surgical,
or any other care necessary for his/her well-being; or any maltreatment
of the child.
The increasing incidence of reported child abuse and
neglect in our state and throughout the nation are a special concern to
the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. This youth protection
program was developed to safeguard employees, volunteers, and program
participants.
II. Responsibility
County Extension Agents - Staff Chair and District
Directors are responsible for the implementation and maintenance of this
youth protection program in their respective administrative units. The
Assistant Director - 4H Youth Development is designated as
the official state contact and spokesperson on all child abuse matters
related to the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
III. Recruitment, Training,
and Supervision of Extension Faculty and Classified Staff
A. Reference checks on all prospective employees who
will be involved to any degree in Extension youth programs will be
conducted and filed prior to employment.
B. Extension personnel responsible for hiring will
request through the office of the Director a check of law enforcement
and social service agency records of persons to be employed to work
directly with youth and youth development education programs and their
related events. Youth to be employed in programs such as child care and
camping will be included in this employee screening process. After the
offer of employment is made, the candidate will be required to complete
Form
, Authorization for Release of Confidential Information and
submit a notarized copy to the hiring supervisor.
C. All Extension faculty and classified staff who work
directly with youth are required to participate in an orientation
program including written materials explaining Extension policies and
procedures relating to child abuse. They will acknowledge in writing
having received and read appropriate policies and procedures
(Certification Letter B Youth Protection Program).
D. Faculty and classified staff working directly with
youth will be provided information about identifying signs of possible
child abuse. Training will include approved procedures for responding to
the suspicion of child abuse.
IV. Recruitment, Training,
and Supervision of Program Volunteers
A. A signed 4 - H Volunteer Application must be on file
in the county Extension office for all volunteer adult leaders working
directly with youth in Extension programs (4 - H, E.F.N.E.P., etc.).
B. Reference checks on all prospective program
volunteers, including checks of available public records, will be
conducted to properly evaluate the individual's suitability to perform
in a leadership capacity. A Sample Letter Requesting Reference for
Volunteer Applicant,
is provided. Requests for record checks will be submitted to the office
of the Director. Prospective volunteers should be asked to complete form
, Authorization for Release of Confidential Information and
submit a notarized copy to the responsible Extension agent. Youth
volunteer leaders in programs such as child care and camping are
included in this screening process.
C. All volunteers who work directly with youth will be
provided with orientation training including written materials
explaining Extension policies and procedures relating to child abuse.
They will acknowledge in writing having received and read appropriate
policies and procedures. Complete Certification of Reading Youth
Protection Materials,
.
D. Volunteers working directly with youth will be
provided information about identifying signs of possible child abuse.
Training will include approved procedures for responding to the
suspicion of child abuse.
V. Relationships With Youth
A. Faculty, staff, and volunteers are encouraged to
avoid, where possible, being alone with a single youth, including
sharing sleeping quarters with non-related youth.
B. Extension faculty, staff, and volunteers are
encouraged not to socialize with program participants under the age of
18 outside of Extension program activities.
C. Extension faculty, staff, and volunteers will not,
under any circumstances, discipline program participants by use of
physical punishment or by failing to provide the necessities of care,
such as food or shelter.
D. Faculty, staff, and volunteers should be alert to the
physical and emotional state of all program participants. They should be
alert for indicators of child abuse and report suspected abuse according
to prescribed procedures.
VI. Responsibilities to
Parents
A. Parents will be encouraged to visit Extension
programs at any time.
B. The Cooperative Extension Service will offer
educational information on child abuse to parents and youth.
VII. Reporting Procedures
A. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service views the
reporting of suspected child abuse as both a personal and professional
obligation.
1. When Extension faculty, staff, or volunteers
suspect child abuse in connection with an Extension youth program,
they will immediately inform the Assistant Director - 4H Youth Development either directly or through channels.
2. When Extension faculty, staff, or volunteers
suspect child abuse or neglect occurring apart from Extension youth
programs, they are urged to report the situation to appropriate
authorities.
B. The Extension staff person receiving an initial
report of suspected child abuse in connection with an Extension youth
program will, as soon as possible and to the extent possible,
investigate the allegations and determine the condition of the child.
The course of further action, including notification of appropriate
authorities, will be determined by the appropriate administrator.
C. A decision will be made by the responsible Extension
staff member regarding notification of the child's parent(s) or legal
guardian. When possible, parental notification will be made by a
responsible administrator.
D. If the alleged incident involves an Extension faculty
or staff member or program volunteer, the responsible Extension
administrator will suspend the person from all activities involving the
supervision of children. Suspension will continue until the person is
cleared or allegations are proven.
E. All information regarding alleged child abuse will be
maintained under strict confidentiality. Information will be
communicated only on a "need-to-know" basis.
1. What is child abuse and neglect?
Arkansas Act 397 of 1975 defines who is considered a
child and what is considered to be abuse and neglect:
(a) "Child" means any person under eighteen (18) years of age;
(b) "Abuse" means any physical injury mental injury, or sexual
mistreatment inflicted on a child other than by accidental means, or
an injury which is at variance with the history of it;
(C) "Neglect" means a failure to provide, by those legally
responsible for the care and maintenance of the child, the proper or
necessary support; education, as required by law; or medical,
surgical, or any other care necessary for his/her well-being; or any
maltreatment of the child.
2. Am I required to report known or suspected
instances of child neglect or abuse?
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service views the
reporting of suspected child abuse as both a personal and professional
obligation. You are required to report any known or suspected
incidents of child abuse occurring in connection with an Extension
program or activity. If you have knowledge of abuse or neglect in
situations not related to the Extension program, you are urged to
report the situation to appropriate authorities.
3. If I report, am I liable?
Under Arkansas law, persons who report suspected child
abuse and neglect in good faith are immune from liability.
4. To whom do I report?
Anyone who thinks that a child has been abused or
neglected should report to the Department of Human Services county
office during regular working hours. Also, a toll free number is
available for reporting 24 hours per day seven days per week
(1-800-482-5964).
Instances related to Extension activities should be
reported to the Assistant Director - 4H Youth Development
either directly or through channels.
5. What do I do if an abuse situation occurs at an
Extension activity?
a. Stay calm.
b. Handle the matter as discreetly as possible.
c. Remove the child from danger.
d. Obtain any needed medical treatment.
e. Notify the Assistant Director - 4H Youth Development
either directly or through channels.
6. How do I handle questions from the media
Refer all questions to the Assistant Director - 4H Youth
Development who is designated as the official
state contact and spokesperson on all child abuse matters related to
the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
7. How will parents be notified?
A decision will be made by the responsible Extension
staff member regarding how a child's parent(s) or legal guardian will
be notified of a report of abuse. When possible, informing will be
done by the responsible administrators.
8. How can I protect myself from unfounded allegations
of child abuse?
You are encouraged to avoid, where possible, being
alone with a single youth. You are encouraged not to socialize with
Extension program participants under the age of 18 outside of
Extension program activities.
You are forbidden, under any circumstances, to
discipline Extension program participants by the use of physical
punishment or by failing to provide the necessities of care, such as
food or shelter. You should respect the privacy of youth participants
in situations such as changing into swimming suits or taking showers
and intrude only to the extent that health and safety requires.
Encourage parental participation in youth activities
when practical.
: Authorization of Release of
Confidential Information
: Sample Letter Requesting Reference for
Volunteer Applicant
: Certification of Reading Youth
Protection Policy
: Youth Protection Adult Leader Application Process
Checklist
M.I.S.C.-120:
UofA Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Code of
Conduct and Volunteer Agreement
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