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Requirements for Researchers

Accessible Accordion

Youth-involved research studies include data collection or analysis of minors and:
    • involve UW personnel, or personnel acting on behalf of UW;
    • include human subjects under age 18 (youth); and
    • Data collection, analysis, or other interactions with youth will occur as part of UW’s involvement.

Youth-involved research studies must follow APS 10.13 requirements regardless of their IRB status or whether they fit the definition of research. For more information view the Research FAQs.

It is everyone’s responsibility to protect youth from harm. All of the requirements below must be met to maintain compliance with APS 10.13.

Learn more about Compliance Expectations
Learn more about How to Meet Requirements

Accessible Accordion

Youth-involved research studies must be registered in the UW Youth Program Registration System (YPRS) prior to the start of youth interactions.  Any personnel who will have the possibility for unsupervised access to youth must be added to the role of authorized personnel in the corresponding YPRS registration. OYPC strongly recommends registering and adding authorized personnel at least 30 days prior to the start of a study or unsupervised access to youth. This will allow time to ensure all personnel complete required steps in advance of interacting with youth.

Resources:

Authorized personnel must have a valid background check on file prior to unsupervised access to youth and every three years thereafter. The background check process for authorized personnel is tracked in YPRS. For information about costs and billing, see the UW HR background check webpage.

Resources:

Individual authorized personnel must complete the “Promoting Safe Interactions with Youth” and “Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect” online trainings prior to unsupervised access to youth. Training completions are tracked centrally in YPRS.  See our Online Training page for more information and direct links to complete the trainings in YPRS.

Additionally, principal investigators must ensure that all authorized personnel are trained to perform their assigned duties in a safe and developmentally appropriate manner. See suggested training content that addresses the safety and developmental needs of youth.

Other related policies: 

All UW employees and volunteers are required to complete the training, “Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect.”

Resources:

Authorized personnel must agree to abide by the University Standards for Interacting with Youth at all times during the course of fulfilling their duties with the youth activity and must electronically sign the conduct code and virtual interactions addendum (as applicable) in YPRS prior to unsupervised access to youth and again every 12 months as long as they are in the authorized personnel role.

Principal investigators should incorporate conduct code(s) signing into pre-service hiring and orientation activities and monitor for compliance with these standards when youth are present.

Resources:

If an authorized personnel or principal investigator becomes aware of conduct of another personnel that represent a clear violation of the University Standards for Interacting with Youth, they must notify the Youth Protection Coordinator by e-mailing uwminors@uw.edu or calling 206-616-5706. To learn more about what constitutes a violation warranting action, view the Addressing Unsafe Interactions and Behaviors of Concern webpage.

Other related policies: 

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

Resources:

Using the Behaviors of Concern Continuum mini-module

 

Youth-involved research must adhere to state and federal workplace and environmental safety regulations and protect the health and safety of youth while in our care.

Specifically, authorized personnel and principal investigators must follow EHS guidance for youth in STEAM environments when hosting youth in labs, shops, makerspaces, studios, or other facilities with certain hazards present.

Other related policies: 

See also Administrative Policy Statement 10.9.

Resources:

Principal investigators must maintain safeguards and precautions appropriate for the youth in their care and must have a plan in place in the case of a natural disaster, active threat, or other emergency.

Emergency Preparedness resources:

Youth-involved research that operates in a UW facility must also be included in their department/unit’s fire safety and evacuation plan.

Fire safety and evacuation plan resources:

EHS Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan information

Principal investigators must also have procedures in place to respond to known health conditions and health related emergencies experienced by participating youth.

Health emergency prevention and response resources:

Additional Risk mitigation resources:

Youth-involved research must process personal data in accordance with applicable University privacy policies and frameworks, including the Privacy Policy for UW Youth Programs.

Resources:

Using the Privacy Notice and consent Template mini-module