Youth Protection Program & Code of Conduct | FIRST

Youth Protection Program & Code of Conduct | FIRST
Youth Safety
Youth Protection Program
FIRST
is dedicated to creating safe, welcoming, and inspiring spaces where all students can thrive. On this page, find the
FIRST
Code of Conduct, Youth Protection policies & trainings, screening procedures, and reporting options for Youth Protection and medical concerns.
Report a Concern
Youth Protection at
FIRST
The purpose of the
FIRST
Youth Protection Program is to provide coaches, mentors, event volunteers, employees, Program Delivery Partners, team members, parents, guardians of team members, and others working with
FIRST
programs with information, guidelines, and procedures to create safe environments for
FIRST
participants.
The
FIRST
Youth Protection Program sets minimum standards recommended for all
FIRST
activities. Adults working in
FIRST
programs must be knowledgeable of the standards set by the
FIRST
Youth Protection Program, as well as those set by the school or organization hosting their team.
Report a Concern
Please contact us with any questions about Youth Protection guidelines, resources, screening or to report a concern. Youth participants are encouraged to reach out to Youth Protection for support and assistance if they have any concerns about their own safety and/or treatment or that of other participants in
FIRST
programs.
Youth Protection Concerns
Can encompass a wide variety of one-time or ongoing issues such as suspected abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, questionable behavior, or violation to the
FIRST
Code of Conduct.
Youth Protection Concerns
Medical Incident
All physical injuries/illnesses, however slight, taking place at a
FIRST
event must be reported to
FIRST
Headquarters. Serious injuries that take place during a Team’s activities, not at an event, should also be reported. Incidents should be reported within 48 hours after occurrence. Names may be removed if privacy regulations require it.
Medical Incident
Policies & Resources
FIRST
Code of Conduct
The
FIRST
mission is to inspire a generation of science and technology leaders who are both gracious and professional. This
FIRST
Code of Conduct lists some of the basic behaviors mentors, coaches, volunteers, team members, affiliate partners, contractors, staff, and other participants should adhere to while participating in
FIRST
activities.
Exhibit
Gracious Professionalism
at all times.
Gracious Professionalism
is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. With
Gracious Professionalism
, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions.
Ensure the safety of all participants in
FIRST
activities.
Not engage in any form of bullying, harassment, use of profane or insulting language, or any actual or threatened violence.
Adhere to all
FIRST
Youth Protection Program (YPP) policies.
Report any unsafe behavior to event or local
FIRST
leadership.
Persons who do not comply with this Code of Conduct may be barred from participating in
FIRST
activities.
Youth Protection Policies & Training
Anyone participating in
FIRST
should be familiar with our Youth Protection policies and training. The Youth Protection Guide and Youth Protection training below cover the fundamental guidelines and requirements for all participants.
FIRST
Youth Protection Program Guide
Youth Protection Training Videos
This training is intended to enable adults working with
FIRST
teams to recognize situations that may pose a threat to team member safety and take the actions necessary to prevent and report injuries. We also encourage anyone participating with
FIRST
to take this training to better understand how to protect themselves and our youth participants. The training consists of a series of short videos; each video is no more than 5 minutes and the entire series can be completed in 40-50 minutes.
Screening Procedures & FAQs
More information regarding the Youth Protection screening and clearance process and what to expect:
U.S. Screening Process Step by Step
Canadian Screening Process - Sterling Backcheck EConsent User Guide
Canadian Screening Process - Learn about the Sterling Backcheck ID Verification
Frequently Asked Questions
Local YPP State Requirements for California and Pennsylvania
California
Assembly Bill AB506, requires administrators, employees, and regular volunteers of youth service organizations to complete two additional requirements. Livescan Background Check and Mandated Reporter training. These are both
one-time requirements
. Once you complete them, you will not need to retake them. Please note that you cannot share a Live Scan from another organization, as each organization must request it directly. Likewise, other Mandated Reporter training is not accepted unless it is completed with the state’s official training vendor.
Live Scan Background Check
CA Guide on how to complete Live Scan
BCIA 8016 form - pre-filled for
FIRST
volunteers
Instructions on how to complete BCIA 8016
Live Scan locations by county
Mandated Reporting Training
California Mandated Reporter Training -
Additional Information
If You Took the Training Under the
FIRST
Account
No need to send us your certificate.
If you completed the training at
while logged into the
FIRST
-associated account, the Youth Protection can see your record automatically.
You’re in the
FIRST
account if you see the
FIRST
logo in the top right corner above your name when logged into the training site.
Please allow up to 5 business days for your completion to appear in your
FIRST
Dashboard.
If You Took the Training Outside of a
FIRST
Account
If you completed the training with another organization (e.g., a school district, another youth group), you must link your certificate to
FIRST
so we can verify it.
How to link and share your certificate with
FIRST
Associate your account
Visit:
Select “
FIRST
Volunteers” under the Group field
Log in using the same email used for your training, not necessarily the email address in your
FIRST
Dashboard.
Accept the invite to associate your account with
FIRST
Share your certificate
Go to "My Certificates"
Click your certificate number
Click “Share with
FIRST
Once linked, we’ll verify your training and update your
FIRST
Dashboard.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) requires employees, volunteers and other individuals who interact with minors to obtain
three different clearances
, together known as the Child Protection Clearances.
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance
Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Background Check
unless
you have continuously lived in PA for at least 10 years; in that case, you must complete a PA Resident Attestation instead)
PA Resources
PA Guide on how to complete your volunteer clearances
Attestations:
Non-Resident Attestation
- For volunteers working in PA less than 30 days in one year
PA Resident Attestation
- in lieu of FBI fingerprint background check for individuals who have resided in Pennsylvania longer than 10 years.
PA Keep Kids Safe FAQs for Volunteers
PA Sample Forms
Submit your clearances to the
FIRST
YPP team
using this form here.
Youth Protection Resources for Event Volunteers & Event Managers
These resources are designed to support individuals managing events or attending events as volunteers.
Emergency Response Template
Youth Protection Program Handouts:
Postcard
Flyer
Event signage
Youth Protection Program One Pagers:
Coaches and Mentors
Event Volunteers
Youth Participants
Parents and Guardians
Team Resources & Videos
Team Safety Meeting Resources for All
Team Safety Meeting - Youth Protection Program (YPP) Segment
Team Safety Meeting Resources for Ages 6-10
Traffic Light Activity
Surprises vs. Secrets Activity
Buddy System Activity
Training Videos:
Team Safety Meeting Video – Middle School Version
Team Safety Meeting Video – High School Version
Keeping Kids Safe – for adults working with youth
Mental Health Resources:
Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Concerns
Parent Resources:
Consent Team Travel Form
Notification Guidelines Parents Form
STEM for Everyone
™ Training & Resources
As part of our commitment to creating a unified community for all our participants, we have partnered with leading organizations to create
complimentary trainings and resources
on how you can inspire the youth voice and build a connected team. Training and resource topics include:
mentor and coach training
youth member training
disability inclusion
language assistance
and more.
General Volunteer Training & Resources
Volunteer resources and trainings help those new to volunteering with
FIRST
(or need a refresher) learn more about volunteer roles and expectations. More information for volunteers can also be found on the
Volunteer Resources page
of our website.
More
FIRST
Trainings Coming Soon
Contact:
Youth Protection Program
200 Bedford Street  |  Manchester, NH 03101  |
www.firstinspires.org
Phone: (603) 206-2050  |
safety@firstinspires.org