NDSU Extension ServiceYouth Protection Policy

Maxine Nordick

Cass County Extension Agent

Karla Monson

Bottineau County Extension Agent

Purpose

• Promote the safety and well-being of all participants who participate in NDSU

Extension Service youth programs.

Is this an issue in 4-H?

• Youth protection issues have surfaced in our North Dakota 4-H Program

Provides Opportunity

• Learn how to:– Detect and change harmful situations.– Protect youth participants.

• Be screened.

• Reaffirm dedication.

• Create safe environments.

Policy applies to:

• All adults who work with youth on a regular basis or chaperone overnight stays.

• Teens who will turn 18 during the 4-H year.

Confidentiality

• All child abuse information clearance information must be kept confidential and filed in a secure place.

• Unauthorized disclosure of information is a Class B misdemeanor.

Video

“A 4-H Pledge:Keeping Youth Safe”

How much do you know?

To answer each question:

Hold up the card numbered with your response choice.

This policy provides an opportunity for all adults

working in NDSU Extension youth programs to:

1. Be screened2. Detect harmful situations3. Create unsafe environments4. 1 & 2 of the above

• Answer: 4

This policy applies to:

1. Volunteers2. All 4-H members3. All NDSU employees4. All Parents

• Answer: 1

Current volunteers and employees will repeat the screening process

every:

1. 2 years2. 4 years3. 6 years4. 10 years

• Answer: 3

Re-screening volunteersevery six years requires:

1. Signing the Behavioral Expectation Form2. Reference Check3. Volunteer Information Form4. 1 & 3

• Answer: 4

Three of the four types of child maltreatment are:

1. Biological, physical and emotional2. Sexual, psychological and emotional3. Neglect, physical and biological4. Emotional, physical and neglect

• Answer: 4

Common behaviors of people who abuse children are:

1. Have low self-esteem and realistic expectations of youth

2. Use drugs/alcohol and have been abused as children

3. Have never been abused and have unrealistic expectations of youth

4. Have high self-esteem and use drugs/alcohol

• Answer: 2

What are some behavioral signs of an abused child?

1. Depression, disinterested and delinquency2. Extreme behavior changes, drug use and

interested3. Delinquency, drug use and minimal behavior

changes4. Good grades, extreme behavior changes and

depression

• Answer: 1

Common signs of neglect are:

1. Chronically tired, thirsty, poor hygiene2. Poor attendance, inadequate clothing, active3. Hunger, poor attendance, and chronically tired4. Thirsty, inadequate clothing, poor hygiene

• Answer: 3

How many adults must be present during an overnight stay for every

8-10 youth?

1. 12. 2 3. 34. 4

• Answer: 1

During an overnight stay:

1. An adult may share a room with a minor child of the same sex.

2. Two youth may share a room with an adult.3. Parents may not share a room with their child.4. An adult may share a room with a minor child of the

opposite sex.

• Answer: 2

Which of the following guidelines is correct when establishing safe

environments?

1. Intrude on youth privacy if health and safety requires.

2. Work with young people behind closed/locked doors.

3. Discipline children by use of physical punishment.

4. Discourage parents and guardians from attending.

• Answer: 1

New volunteers must complete:

1. Behavioral Expectation Form2. Criminal Background Release Form3. 1 & 2 of the above4. All of the above

• Answer: 1

The Convicted Sex Offenders and Offenders Against Children List is a:

1. Public List

2. Private List

• Answer: 1

Volunteers are requiredby law (mandatory reporters)

to report knowledge or suspicion of abuse or neglect.

1. True

2. False

• Answer: 2

If an individual’s name is listed on the North Dakota Child Abuse

Information Index or the Convicted Sex Offenders List, then:

1. Accept them as a volunteer.

2. Seek more information.

3. Reject them as a volunteer.

4. Refer them to another youth organization.

• Answer: 2

How much did you know?

Prizes!!!

•Situation Activity

The paperwork!

Behavior Expectations

• All adults and youth, who will turn 18, should read and sign two copies.

One copy filed where supervised.

One copy kept by the individual.

Behavior Expectations FormAdult agrees to:

1. Respect individual rights.2. Accept Extension support.3. Represent Extension positively.4. Respect Extension Mission.5. Refrain from & report any physical or

emotional abuse.

Behavior Expectations (cont.)

6. Report quickly.7. Avoid criminal actions involving youth or activities.8. Refrain from alcohol or drug use while responsible for youth.9. Comply with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination laws.10. Practice safety.

Questions?

Thanks for coming!