Youth Safety: Difference between revisions

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<br /><big>'''Youth Safety Policy</big>
<br /><big>'''Youth Safety Policy</big>
==Overview==
==Basis of Policy==
The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) has a strong interest in protecting the safety of youth on our campus; therefore, the campus is implementing a Youth Safety Policy in order to provide a safe, educational and enjoyable activity/program experience for all participants. This policy provides minimum specific guidelines for activities conducted or sponsored by the University of Nebraska Medical Center. It also addresses requirements for employees and staff who work with youth. UNMC departments may adopt their own policies that are stricter than the policies listed in this document. If activities cannot meet these guidelines, prior written approval from the UNMC Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or their designee is needed. UNMC reserves the right to discontinue an activity if found to be in violation of these policies.  Only youth activities or events sponsored by UNMC may be held on property or in buildings owned, operated or controlled by, the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  
[http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-711 Nebraska Statute 28-711]: When any physician, medical institution, nurse, school employee, social workers, or any other person has reasonable cause to believe that a youth has been subjected to abuse or neglect or observes such youth being subjected to conditions or circumstances which reasonably would result in abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident or cause a report to be made to the proper local law enforcement agency, the local Department of Health and Human Services or by calling the statewide hotline number at 1-800-652-1999.
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[http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-716 Nebraska Statute 28-716]: Persons participating in an investigation or making a report of youth abuse or neglect shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed, except for maliciously false statements.
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[http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-717 Nebraska Statute 28-717]: Any person who willfully fails to make any report required by the law shall be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor.
==Policy==
The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) has a strong interest in protecting the safety of youth on our campus; therefore, the campus is implementing a Youth Safety Policy in order to provide a safe, educational and enjoyable activity/program experience for all participants. This policy provides minimum specific guidelines for activities conducted or sponsored by the University of Nebraska Medical Center. It also addresses requirements for employees and staff who work with youth. UNMC departments may adopt their own policies that are stricter than the policies listed in this document. If activities cannot meet these guidelines, prior written approval from the UNMC Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or their designee is needed. UNMC reserves the right to discontinue an activity if found to be in violation of these policies.  Only youth activities or events sponsored by UNMC may be held on property or in buildings owned, operated or controlled by, the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  
==Definitions==
==Definitions==
'''Youth Activity''' – any learning environment, activity, clinic, or conference sponsored by, or held on property owned or controlled by, the University of Nebraska Medical Center that includes close interactions with youths with or without parental supervision/oversight
'''Youth Activity''' – any learning environment, activity, clinic, or conference sponsored by, or held on property owned or controlled by, the University of Nebraska Medical Center that includes close interactions with youths with or without parental supervision/oversight
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#MMI Evening respite and habilitation program
#MMI Evening respite and habilitation program
#MMI Recreational Therapy
#MMI Recreational Therapy
#UNMC Child Care Center
#UNMC Child Care Center - The Child Care facility must comply with the applicable requirements of [http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/reg_t391.aspx Nebraska Administrative Code Title 391 -- Child Care Licensing]
#UNMC Clinical Operations (such as, but not limited to, Dental Day, Mobile Nursing, etc.)  
#UNMC Clinical Operations (such as, but not limited to, Dental Day, Mobile Nursing, etc.)  
#Youth Learning Center  
#Youth Learning Center  
==Youth Activity Director and Sponsor Requirements ==
==Youth Activity Director and Sponsor Requirements ==
Youth Activity Directors and Sponsors are responsible for the safety of the workers and participants for the duration of the Youth Activity. They are responsible for the behavior of the Activity Workers and adherence to this and all applicable University policies.  The programs must meet the following requirements:
Youth Activity Directors and Sponsors are responsible for the safety of the workers and participants for the duration of the Youth Activity. They are responsible for the behavior of the Activity Workers and adherence to this and all applicable University policies.  The programs must meet the following requirements:
#All activities will comply with UNMC’s Youth Activity Safety Policy. Activity Directors may request modifications to the policy, but modifications must be approved by UNMC’s Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or their designee is needed.
#All activities will comply with UNMC’s Youth Activity Safety Policy. Activity Directors may request modifications to the policy, but modifications must be approved by UNMC’s Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or their designee.
#All Activities must comply with UNMC [[Policies & Procedures]] including weapons, drug and alcohol policies.  
#All Activities must comply with UNMC [[Policies & Procedures]] including weapons, drug and alcohol policies.  
#All Activity Contracts must be approved by UNMC’s Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or their designee is needed.
#All Activity Contracts must be approved by UNMC’s Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or their designee.
#It is the responsibility of the Activity Director to ensure all Activity Workers have received a copy (electronic or paper) of the Activity Worker Guidelines '''(policies/activity-worker-guidelines)need link here'''. Revisions to this form are not allowed. Parents/Guardians must receive the '''Parent/Guardian Information form (need link here)'''approved by the UNMC Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or their designee is needed.
#It is the responsibility of the Activity Director to ensure all Activity Workers have received a copy (electronic or paper) of the Activity Worker Guidelines (policies/activity-worker-guidelines). Revisions to this form are not allowed. Parents/Guardians must receive the Parent/Guardian Information form approved by the UNMC Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or their designee.
#Activity Workers and Activity Support Staff must successfully pass a Sex Offender Registry Check for the state(s) in which they currently reside. No Activity Worker or Activity Support Staff can be listed on any Sex Offender Registry. Sex Offender Registry Checks must be conducted at least annually. The sponsor is responsible for ensuring the checks are completed. Activity Directors must maintain an updated list of Activity Workers and Activity Support Staff noting the date that the Sex Offender Registry Checks were completed. These checks are free.
#Activity Workers and Activity Support Staff must successfully pass a Sex Offender Registry Check for the state(s) in which they currently reside. No Activity Worker or Activity Support Staff can be listed on any Sex Offender Registry. Sex Offender Registry Checks must be conducted at least annually. The sponsor is responsible for ensuring the checks are completed. Activity Directors must maintain an updated list of Activity Workers and Activity Support Staff noting the date that the Sex Offender Registry Checks were completed. These checks are free.
#*[http://www.nsp.state.ne.us/sor/find.cfm Nebraska Sex Offender Registry]  
#*[http://www.nsp.state.ne.us/sor/find.cfm Nebraska Sex Offender Registry]  
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#All youths must have adult supervision until released to a parent or guardian, unless specific written parental permission is received.
#All youths must have adult supervision until released to a parent or guardian, unless specific written parental permission is received.
==Child Abuse and Neglect Including Sexual Assault Reporting Requirements==
==Child Abuse and Neglect Including Sexual Assault Reporting Requirements==
Nebraska statutes require any person who suspects or is aware of any child abuse or neglect, including sexual assault, to report such abuse, neglect, or assault to law enforcement or the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Law enforcement is likewise required to notify DHHS of any such incidents reported to them.  Activity Workers are required to notify the Omaha Police Department (OPD) at 402-444-5600 immediately when these situations are suspected. After notifying the OPD or DHHS contact Campus Security 402-559-5111.
Nebraska statutes require any person who suspects or is aware of any child abuse or neglect, including sexual assault, to report such abuse, neglect, or assault to law enforcement or the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Law enforcement is likewise required to notify DHHS of any such incidents reported to them.  Activity Workers are required to notify the Omaha Police Department (OPD) at 402-444-5600 immediately when these situations are suspected. After notifying the OPD or DHHS contact Campus Security 402-559-5111.
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This means that if you suspect any child abuse or neglect, including sexual assault:
This means that if you suspect any child abuse or neglect, including sexual assault:
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#You are immune from liability from any civil or criminal liability if you have reported the information in good faith, and
#You are immune from liability from any civil or criminal liability if you have reported the information in good faith, and
#If you know of child abuse, neglect, or sexual assault but are not reporting it, you are breaking the law.
#If you know of child abuse, neglect, or sexual assault but are not reporting it, you are breaking the law.
==Child Care Facility ==
==Employees and Volunteer Responsibilities==
The Child Care facility must comply with the applicable requirements of Nebraska Administrative Code Title 391 -- Child Care Licensing in addition to following the reporting requirements per Nebraska statues as listed in this policy.
==Employees and Volunteers==
All UNMC employees and volunteers undergo a criminal background check which includes a check of the National Sexual Offenders Registry and the Nebraska Adult and Child Abuse Registry.  Everyone is required to report child abuse and neglect per Nebraska statues as listed in this policy.   
All UNMC employees and volunteers undergo a criminal background check which includes a check of the National Sexual Offenders Registry and the Nebraska Adult and Child Abuse Registry.  Everyone is required to report child abuse and neglect per Nebraska statues as listed in this policy.   
==References==
==Additional Information==
[http://info.unmc.edu/safety/PDF/UNMC%20Youth%20Safety%20Policy%20FAQ.pdf UNMC Youth Safety Policy Frequently Asked Questions]<br />
[http://info.unmc.edu/safety/PDF/UNMC%20Youth%20Safety%20Policy%20FAQ.pdf UNMC Youth Safety Policy Frequently Asked Questions]<br />
[http://info.unmc.edu/safety/PDF/UNMC%20YOUTH%20SAFETY%20COMPETENCY%20MATERIAL.pdf UNMC Youth Safety Competency Material]  
[http://info.unmc.edu/safety/PDF/UNMC%20YOUTH%20SAFETY%20COMPETENCY%20MATERIAL.pdf UNMC Youth Safety Competency Material]  
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[http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-711 Nebraska Statute 28-711]: When any physician, medical institution, nurse, school employee, social workers, or any other person has reasonable cause to believe that a youth has been subjected to abuse or neglect or observes such youth being subjected to conditions or circumstances which reasonably would result in abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident or cause a report to be made to the proper local law enforcement agency, the local Department of Health and Human Services or by calling the statewide hotline number at 1-800-652-1999.
<br /><br />
[http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-716 Nebraska Statute 28-716]: Persons participating in an investigation or making a report of youth abuse or neglect shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed, except for maliciously false statements.
<br /><br />
[http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-717 Nebraska Statute 28-717]: Any person who willfully fails to make any report required by the law shall be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor.
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This page maintained by [http://mailto:dpanowic@unmc.edu dkp].
This page maintained by [http://mailto:dpanowic@unmc.edu dkp].