Youth Protection

[narration to slide deck presentation by Cissie Patterson, Training Coordinator, University Human Resources] Welcome to Oakland University’s Youth Protection Policy Review and Presentation. In today’s presentation, we will cover the following: OU’s commitment to protecting youth while on campus Reporting Behaviors to recognize Youth Program Policy and Website Camp Program and Participant Requirements Scenarios related to Youth Protection on campus Standards of Behaviors Oakland University is committed to protecting youths while they are on campus. Oakland’s commitment is to provide meaningful programming while protecting the health, safety and welfare of all participants. We promote the ‘see something, say something, do something’ campaign, which requires all individuals to report unsuitable activity to the Oakland University Police Department. OUPD can be reached by dialing 911 from any campus phone or from any Blue Light Emergency phone As an Authorized Adult, you are responsible for ensuring all Youth are kept safe. This includes reporting any suspicious behavior that you observe. Remember if you See Something, Say Something. Do Something. Grooming is one typical method used by sexual predators. Grooming describes the process that predators use to prepare a victim for sexual abuse or assault. According to the U.S Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website: “Many victims of grooming and sexual abuse do not recognize they are being manipulated, nor do they realize how grooming is a part of the abuse process.” The behaviors listed on this slide are considered grooming behavior and it is important to educate yourself on the behaviors in order to report grooming behavior to law enforcement. It is important that you recognize these behaviors and See Something, Say Something, and Do Something. All persons who become aware of abuse through interaction with Youth, observation of Youth with another person, or being informed of abuse must report their good-faith suspicion to local authorities. This includes any belief that the Youth is (or has been) physically or sexually abused, physically or emotionally neglected, exposed to any form of violence or threat, or exposed to any form of sexual exploitation, including the possession, manufacturing, or distribution of child pornography, online solicitation, enticement, or showing of obscene material. You are required to report Youth Abuse to local authorities. When reporting abuse, provide the following when possible: Who- was involved, What- occurred, When – did it occur, Where- did it occur OU's Administrative Policy #630 provides direction on appropriate supervision and protection of Youth participating in programs and events offered by or at Oakland University. This policy can be located on the OU Administrative Policies and Procedures page of the OU website. This policy provides: A definition of parties included in this policy, Background Check procedures and process, and Standards of Behavior, including the responsibilities of all parties involved. The Youth Protection web page contains the Youth Program Requirements as well as various resources for the OU community. Within each section of the youth protection web page, you will find additional information for all involved in the Youth program. The information provided online will help others with preventing, identifying and reporting any abuse. Oakland University requires individuals interested in working in, or volunteering for, university-affiliated youth programs to undergo background checks prior to commencement of those programs. This requirement is part of protocols established to ensure safe conduct and supportive interaction between youth and adults. Individuals seeking additional information about the background check process should contact their program director. OU has established Program Approval Requirements that include the following: Register the Program - The University requires that all University-sponsored Youth Programs or events be registered annually. Submit Background Checks - All background checks must be completed and evaluated annually at the sponsoring unit’s expense through the University approved vendor. Program Administrator Compliance - Authorized Adults are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the policy, the Youth Protection website and standards of behavior. Program Registration Oakland University requires all University-sponsored Youth Programs and events to be registered annually. Youth Program Administrators are responsible for ensuring all listed information is current for their program or event. Registration is expected to be completed no later than 60 days before the start date of the program or event. The Registration link can be found at http://wbfa.lstotem.com/youth. If you have any questions, please contact the Youth Protection Clery Compliance Coordinator at (248) 370-3867. Background Checks All background checks must be completed and evaluated annually at the sponsoring unit’s expense through the University approved vendor before an Authorized Adult can instruct, supervise, chaperone, oversee or otherwise interact with Youths in Youth Programs. The University requires a minimum of two weeks prior to the commencement of the program to complete background checks. All Third-Party Providers are required to annually complete a criminal background check at their expense, including a sex offender registry database search on all Authorized Adults, including but not limited to faculty, staff, students, and volunteers, who care for, supervise, work with, instruct or oversee Youths. If a criminal record history is found, OUPD will evaluate and make a determination regarding placement. Program Administrator Compliance Authorized Adults are responsible for familiarizing themselves with this policy, the Youth Protection website and these standards of behavior. Administrators are also responsible for the training of staff and volunteers for their programs. Additionally, Administrators must: Coordinate completion of background checks with all Authorized Adults affiliated with the youth programs in accordance with this policy. Provide all Authorized Adults with the contact information for OUPD in the event of potential abuse reporting. Supervise and enforce standards of behavior for Authorized Adults as outlined in this policy. Third Party Providers must maintain sexual molestation coverage, as required by University Office of Risk Management. Any camp, program, or other activity that includes participation by Youths must comply with OU’s Youth Program Protection Policy. This includes, but is not limited to, lessons, the Lowry Center, workshops, sports camps and/or clinics, academic camps, pre-college programs, conferences, pre-enrollment visits, or other programs and similar activities. Also subject to this policy is any one-to-one or small group activity, where a person who is knowledgeable and has expertise in a specific content area or discipline, provides guidance to one or more Youth who are not as knowledgeable or lack the expertise. Scenario #1 A minor female youth needs to go to the restroom. No other youth in the class needs to go. An available male authorized adult is asked to take her. Would this be an appropriate request? If not, why not? In this scenario, a better option would be for the authorized adult to ask one of the other female youths to accompany the Youth, even if the other female youth does not need to use the facilities as well. Scenario #2 A youth is touching other youth campers. What should be done in this case? Intervention by an authorized adult is appropriate in this case. Intervention efforts could include: Explaining to the youth about appropriate touching, personal space, courtesy issues, and creating a positive setting for all campers to enjoy. Taking the issue to the Youth Program Administrator if the behavior continues. Notifying the Youth’s parents if the desired result is not obtained. In extreme cases, dismissal from the camp may need to be considered. All intervention efforts should be documented and shared with the Youth Program Administrator. If the touching leads to violence, OUPD should be notified immediately. Scenario #3 A high school youth develops good rapport with an authorized adult. The Youth sends a friend invite to the authorized adult via social media. What should the authorized adult do? The authorized adult should not communicate with the youth through email, text messages, social networking websites, internet chat rooms, or other forms of social media at any time, except and unless, there is an educational or programmatic purpose and the content of the communication is consistent with the mission of the Youth Program and the University. The University has established ten Standards of Behavior that all participants interacting with Youth must adhere to. It is the responsibility of all parties, as defined by the Youth Protection Policy, to adhere to these Standards of Behavior. 1. Do not engage in any sexual activity, make sexual comments, tell sexual jokes, or share sexually explicit material (or assist in any way to provide access to such material) with Youths. 2. Do not be alone with a Youth. If one-on-one interaction is required, meet in an open, well-lit space or room with windows observable by other adults from the Youth Program, unless the one-on-one interaction is expressly authorized by the Youth Program Administrator, dean, and department chair or is being undertaken by a healthcare provider. 3. Do not meet with Youths outside of established times for Youth Program activities. 4. Do not invite individual Youths to your home. Any exceptions require written authorization by the Youth Program Administrator and written authorization by a parent/guardian. 5. Do not engage or allow Youths to engage you in romantic or sexual conversations, or related matters, unless required in the role of resident advisors, counselors, or health care providers. 6. Do not engage or communicate with Youths through email, text messages, social networking websites, internet chat rooms, or other forms of social media at any time, except and unless, there is an educational or programmatic purpose and the content of the communication is consistent with the mission of the Youth Program and the University. 7. Do not touch Youths in a manner that a reasonable person could interpret as inappropriate. Touching should generally only be in the open and in response to the Youth’s needs, for a purpose that is consistent with the Youth Program’s mission and culture, and for a clear educational, developmental, or health related purpose (such as treatment of an injury.) Any resistance from the Youth should be respected. 8. Do not engage in any abusive conduct of any kind toward, or in the presence of, a Youth, including but not limited to verbal abuse, striking, hitting, punching, poking, spanking, or restraining. If restraint is necessary to protect a Youth or other Youths from harm, all incidents must be documented and disclosed to the Youth Program Administrator, OUPD, and the Youth’s parent/guardian. 9. Do not use, possess or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while on duty or when responsible for a Youth’s welfare. 10. Possession of, or use of, any type of weapon or explosive device is prohibited. For questions related to the Youth Program Protection Policy, please contact the Youth Protection Clery Compliance Coordinator. Thank you for participating in this training program. This concludes the Youth Protection Policy Review and Presentation.

• Information for OU Faculty and Staff
• Information for other Youth Program Administrators and Authorized Adults
• Standards of Behavior
• Youth Protection Checklist
• Incident Reporting Protocols
• Police and Youth Protection Contact Information

• Information for Youth visiting OU
• Information for Parents/Guardians of children visiting OU

• American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC)
  The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children is the leading national organization supporting professionals who serve children and families affected by child maltreatment and violence.
• Childhelp® – (800) 4-A-CHILD
  Founded in 1959 by Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Childhelp® is a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect.
• Child Welfare Information Gateway
  Child Welfare Information Gateway connects child welfare and related professionals to comprehensive information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. We feature the latest on topics from prevention to permanency, including child abuse and neglect, foster care, and adoption.
• Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
  CWLA is a powerful coalition of hundreds of private and public agencies serving vulnerable children and families since 1920. Our expertise, leadership and innovation on policies, programs, and practices help improve the lives of millions of children in all 50 states. Our impact is felt worldwide.
• Darkness to Light
  Darkness to Light programs raise awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.
• FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP)
  FRIENDS provides training and technical assistance to Federally funded CBCAP Programs.
• Michigan Child Abuse Hotline – (855) 444-3911
  Speak up about abuse and neglect. Call  (855) 444-3911 any time day or night. This new toll-free phone number allows you to report abuse or neglect of any child or adult to the Michigan Department of Human Services.
• National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds
  The National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds (Alliance) is a membership organization that provides training, technical assistance and peer consulting opportunities to state Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds and strengthens their efforts to prevent child abuse.
• Stop It Now
  Stop It Now! prevents the sexual abuse of children by mobilizing adults, families and communities to take actions that protect children before they are harmed.