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Youth Activity Requirements

UW-Led Youth Activities deemed to be in-scope of APS 10.13 must follow all of the requirements below to maintain compliance with APS 10.13.

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UW-Led Youth Activity: any program, activity, or event that is:

  1. operated or sponsored by the UW or UW personnel; and
  2. created for, or directed at youth, regardless of location or whether parents/guardians or non-UW chaperones are present.

NOTE: UW-sponsored activities remain UW-Led even when partnering with or contracting non-UW entities (e.g., contractors, consultants, vendors).

APS 10.13 Requirements for UW-Led Youth Activities

Expand each section below to review detailed instructions and access required resources.
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  1. Register UW youth activities in the UW Youth Program Registration System (YPRS) before any interaction with youth begins.
  2. Register all individuals who may have unsupervised access to youth as authorized personnel in the corresponding YPRS registration.
  3. Complete registration and add authorized personnel at least 30 days before the activity starts to ensure all requirements are met prior to youth participation.

Additional Resources:

Authorized Personnel must:

  1. Complete a standardized background check through UW HR before any unsupervised access to youth.
  2. Renew their background check every three years.

Background Check Process:

  1. Authorized Personnel must be added to a YPRS registration.
  2. UW HR verifies existing records and initiates a new background check if needed.
  3. Authorized personnel must complete required steps in a timely manner.
  4. The department/program pays the cost of the background check via a ProCard registered with First Advantage, UW’s vendor.

Additional Resources:

Authorized Personnel Requirements

Authorized Personnel must:

  1. Complete all mandatory APS 10.13 trainings before beginning any unsupervised access to youth:
    1. Promoting Safe Interactions with Youth (25-minute online training)
    2. Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect (20-minute online training)
  2. Complete any additional training required by the Youth Activity Leader to ensure they can safely perform their assigned duties.

Youth Activity Leader Responsibilities

Youth Activity Leaders must:

  1. Train all personnel to perform their assigned duties safely and in a developmentally appropriate manner.
  2. Include activity-specific topics and scenarios in personnel onboarding and training.
  3. Ensure all personnel understand the skills needed for their assigned duties, such as maintaining safe environments, responding to emergencies and health needs, protecting privacy, and fulfilling mandatory reporting requirements.
  4. Consult the Supervision of Youth by UW Personnel guidance for additional expectations and recommended training topics.

Other related policies: 

Per EO 56, all UW employees and volunteers are required to complete the training, Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect.

Additional Resources:

Authorized Personnel Requirements

Authorized Personnel must:

  1. Follow the University Standards for Interacting with Youth (UW Conduct Code) at all times.
  2. Sign the UW Conduct Code in YPRS:
    • Before any unsupervised access to youth.
    • Every 12 months while serving in the role.

Youth Activity Leader Responsibilities

Youth Activity Leaders must:

  1. Include the UW Conduct Code in personnel onboarding and training, ensuring all personnel review and sign it.
  2. Ensure personnel maintain professional boundaries and follow the UW Conduct Code throughout the activity.
  3. Monitor personnel regularly to ensure continued adherence to conduct expectations.
  4. Refer to the Managing Risks in Youth Activities page for guidance on assessing risks and applying required safeguards.

Additional Resources:

Youth activity personnel must:

  1. Report any clear violation of the University Standards for Interacting with Youth immediately.
  2. Upon becoming aware of misconduct by another youth activity personnel:
    1. Notify the UW Youth Protection Coordinator
    2. Do not delay reporting—prompt action is required.
  3. Learn what constitutes a violation by reviewing the Conduct Code Violations page.

Other related policies: 

See also UW Executive Order 56: Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect. 

Additional Resources:

Safe Environments in Youth Activities:

  1. Use the Managing Risks in Youth Activities page to identify risks in your activity and review required safeguards.
  2. Use an Acknowledgment of Risk (AOR) form for any youth activity that involves any potential environmental risk.
  3. Adhere to Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) guidance when hosting youth in STEAM environments (labs, shops, makerspaces, studios, or other facilities with hazards).
  4. Follow all state and federal workplace and environmental safety regulations to protect youth health and safety.

Additional Resources:

Emergency Planning for Youth Activities:

  1. Establish Health Response Protocols for:
    • Medication management
    • Reasonable accommodations
    • Health-related emergencies
  2. Develop an Emergency Preparedness Plan for:
    • Natural disasters, active threats, and other emergencies using the Emergency Preparedness Plan Template for step-by-step guidance.
    • At a minimum, establish communication and reunification procedures, and ensure UW personnel understand their roles during an emergency.
  3. Maintain everyday safety safeguards to minimize potential risks and protect youth during activities.
  4. If operating in a UW facility, ensure your building coordinator is aware youth may be on the premises.

Additional Resources:

Privacy Practices in Youth Activities:

  1. Embrace privacy by design practices to protect youth personal information.
  2. Review and follow the UW Privacy Policy for Youth Programs and the Privacy Guidelines for Engaging Youth Virtually.
  3. Provide the Privacy Notice to participants when required.
  4. Use the Privacy Consent Form Template whenever consent is required; and
  5. Consult the Privacy FAQs to ensure compliance.

Additional Resources:

Using the Privacy Notice and consent Template mini-module

Additional Resources

Managing Risks in Youth Activities
Strategies to Meet Requirements
Compliance Expectations