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Risk Management Division of People & Climate

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Youth Protection Program

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

If you need to report an emergency situation involving child neglect or sexual abuse, please contact Campus Police Department at 916-279-6889 or 911.

Youth Participants

For purposes of the Youth Protection Program, youth are individuals under the age of 18 who are not matriculated University students. Youth Protection requirements apply to University-sponsored programs, activities, events, camps, and educational experiences conducted in person, online, or through virtual platforms.

Our Commitment to Youth Safety

Risk Management Services administers the Youth Protection Program to support the safe participation of youth in University-sponsored activities. The program:

  • Establishes safety requirements and risk management practices
  • Promotes appropriate conduct for personnel working with youth
  • Identifies and addresses higher-risk activities and interactions
  • Supports compliance with University and CSU requirements

Who Must Comply

The Youth Protection Program applies to University-sponsored activities involving youth participants and certain third-party youth-serving organizations utilizing University-controlled property.

Compliance is required for:

  • University departments and auxiliaries hosting or co-hosting activities involving youth
  • External youth-serving organizations conducting activities on University-controlled property
  • Program administrators and coordinators
  • University employees and student assistants with direct or regular contact with youth
  • University-approved volunteers
  • Personnel affiliated with third-party organizations who have direct or regular contact with youth

UNIVERSITY SPONSORED REQUIREMENTS

Program Directors or their designees are responsible for ensuring the following requirements are met:

Program Registration

  • Register youth programs and activities at least 60 days prior to the start date.
  • Complete all required documentation and program requirements no later than 30 days before the activity begins.

Personnel Screening

  • Verify required background checks or Live Scan clearances.
  • Important: Individuals listed on a federal or state sex offender registry are prohibited from serving as employees, volunteers, contractors, or other personnel in University-sponsored activities involving youth participants.

Training

  • Ensure required training is completed before participation.

Documentation

  • Collect and maintain required participant and personnel records.
  • Retain records in accordance with University and CSU retention requirements.

REGISTER A YOUTH PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY

Submit the Youth Protection Registration Form to initiate the review and approval process:

Youth Protection Registration Form

Important: Programs and activities must obtain approval from Risk Management Services before engaging youth participants.

Questions regarding registration timelines or program requirements may be directed to the Youth Protection Program designee.

REVIEW AND APPROVE PROCESS

Registrations are reviewed in the order received. Once all required documentation has been submitted and reviewed, the program administrator will receive notification regarding the program's approval status.

Incomplete submissions or missing documentation may delay approval.

UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

High Access Individuals

Individuals with recurring interactions involving supervision, custody, instruction, guidance, or control of youth participants.

Required:

  • Background Check or Live Scan
  • Mandated Reporter Training
  • Signed Youth Protection Code of Conduct

Low Access Individuals

Individuals participating in one-time or limited activities who are never left alone with youth participants.

Must remain under the supervision of:

  • A school or youth-serving organization representative
  • A University employee meeting High Access requirements
  • A parent or guardian supervising their own child

Required:

UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL COMPLIANCE TRAINING

Training Requirements

High Access Individuals must complete Sacramento State's Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse Training every two years.

Program Director Responsibilities

Program Directors, Supervisors, and designated Leads are responsible for tracking training completion for assigned personnel.

Training is administered through CSU Learn

  • Request or update training audiences
  • Obtain training completion reports

To initiate a request please submit a ticket.

UNIVERSITY BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS

Human Resources administers background checks for University employees and volunteers in accordance with CSU Background Check Policy.

Individuals listed on a federal or state sex offender registry are prohibited from participating in University-sponsored programs or activities involving youth participants.

Program Directors are responsible for identifying applicable personnel and ensuring required background checks are completed before participation.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTING (CANRA)

All CSU employees are designated mandated reporters and are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect encountered within the scope of their employment.

If child abuse or neglect is suspected, employees must:

  • Report the concern immediately to the University Police.
  • Submit form (SS 8572) within 36 hours.
  • Comply with all mandated reporter acknowledgment and training requirements.

For additional information, please review Executive Order 1083: Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Contacts

If you are reporting suspected child abuse or neglect regarding children in another county please contact the appropriate Child Protective Services.California County Emergency Response Child Abuse Reporting Telephone Numbers.

UNIVERSITY PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

Documentation and Records Management

Program Directors are responsible for collecting, maintaining, and retaining required documentation, including:

  • Submitted Youth Protection Registration Forms
  • Youth participant emergency contact information
  • Youth participant completed liability waivers
  • Training records

Records must be retained in accordance with University and CSU records retention requirements.

Risk Management Services may conduct compliance reviews and request supporting documentation as needed.

Third-Party Youth Organizations

Third-Party Youth Organizations

Organizations using University-controlled property for activities involving youth participants are responsible for:

  • Registering the activity through the Youth Protection Registration Form.
  • Conducting background checks for employees and volunteers who have regular or direct contact with youth participants.
  • Providing training on child abuse prevention and reporting, such as the California Mandated Reporter Training or an equivalent program.
  • Maintaining required insurance coverage, including Abuse and Molestation Liability Insurance written on an occurrence basis.

Note: Organizations may use the Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training or comparable training resources to meet this requirement. In addition the Organization may review Your Guide to Working with Minors.

Youth Protection Registration Form

Laws, Policies, and University Standards

Resources

University Sponsored Program: Parent/Guardian & Participant Handbook

Your Guide To Working With Minors

Updating a Youth Protection Audience In CSU Learn

University Code of Conduct

Youth Participant Waivers

Handbook for Virtual Programs and Consent Forms

Contact Our Office

For more information or questions regarding the Youth Protection Program contact Nayeli Abrahamson, Youth Protection Analyst via email or phone: n.parra@csus.edu (916) 278-4629.