UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Each year, more than 200,000 children attend youth programs provided by Penn State, with the bulk of these programs taking place in the summer months. Programming ranges from sports and academic camps to recreational programs and crosses multiple campuses, colleges and administrative units, making the tracking and regulation of youth programs at the University a complex task.
To help centralize youth protection efforts across these programs and ensure compliance with applicable laws and Penn State policy, the Youth Programs Compliance Unit is reminding program coordinators and everyone who works with these programs at the University of four required steps:
1. Register the program in the Penn State Youth Program Inventory
To maintain a complete list of all activities that involve minors at Penn State, a centralized database has been created to register all programs, services and events involving youth. The application is available online. A confirmation email will be sent back to the program director that includes further details of Policy AD39 (Minors Involved in University-Sponsored Programs or Programs Held at the University and/or Housed in University Facilities).
2. Complete the Building a Safe Penn State: Reporting Child Abuse training program
Anyone involved in University-sponsored youth programs must complete the Reporting Child Abuse Training before working with minors. Those working with children must complete the training annually through the University’s Learning Resource Network at http://lrn.psu.edu.
3. Obtain the appropriate clearances
All employees, volunteers and independent contractors working in youth programs are required to complete the required background checks prior to beginning work with children.
4. Self-disclose arrests and convictions
All employees, including those involved in youth programs, are required to notify their Human Resources representative of any misdemeanor or felony arrest or conviction within 72 hours. The Penn State arrest or conviction self-disclosure form provides the list of arrests and/or convictions that must be disclosed. Employees who regularly drive a University-owned vehicle or other vehicle on University business must also comply with the requirement by notifying Human Resources of any arrests or convictions for DUI or the loss of driver’s license due to traffic violations or other similar charges or convictions.
For more information about youth programs policies or training, contact the Youth Programs Compliance Office at 814-865-8785 or go to the youth programs section of the Ethics and Compliance website.
Questions regarding background checks or self-disclosure of arrests and convictions should be directed to the Office of Human Resources, Recruitment and Compensation Division, at 814-865-1387.