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Recently, the Boy
Scouts of America announced important changes to its Youth Protection
policies. The purpose of these changes is to increase awareness of this
societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already
exist today in Scouting.
Effective June 1,
2010:
- Youth Protection training is
required for all BSA registered volunteers, regardless of their
position.
- New leaders are required to
take Youth Protection training before submitting an application for
registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be
submitted at the time the application is made and before volunteer
service with youth begins.
- Youth Protection training
must be taken every two years. If a volunteer's Youth Protection
training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer
will not be reregistered.
To find out more about
the Youth Protection policies of the Boy Scouts of America and how to help
Scouting keep your family safe, see the Parent's Guide in any of the
Cub Scouting or Boy Scouting handbooks, or go to http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx.
Questions and Answers
The following are
answers to some of the questions we have received about these important
changes. To read more, visit www.scouting.org/youthprotection.
Q1: When does the change go into effect?
A1: As of June 1, 2010, all registered adult volunteers--no matter
what their position entails--must complete Youth Protection training prior to
beginning their volunteer service.
Q2: Why a new training policy on such short notice?
A2: Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the Boy Scouts of America. It is
important to implement this training at all levels of the organization. The
BSA is always reevaluating and reassessing its policies to ensure the safest
youth program and the best training are offered. The BSA's Youth Protection
training has been in existence long enough for it to be understood and
accepted as a mandated training for all registered BSA adult volunteers.
Q3: What is the deadline to meet the new Youth Protection
training standard?
A3: All registered leaders
should take or renew their Youth Protection training so that it is current as
of today. A unit will not be able to recharter without its key registered
adults being up-to-date on their Youth Protection training. No individual
leader will be able to register without being up-to-date on his or her Youth
Protection training.
Q4: Is there a grace period to get all adults trained?
A4: No. If a leader's Youth Protection training is not current, the volunteer
must take or renew this training immediately. Every effort should be taken so
that all adults involved in Scouting have a current certificate of completion
of the Youth Protection training.
Q5: Will the system be able to handle the overload of people
taking training at the last minute?
A5: The system platform that houses e-learning is expected to be able
to handle
the high volume.
Q6: Does "all volunteers" mean all volunteers
-- even board members and council presidents?
A6: Yes. The goal is to have all registered volunteers Youth
Protection-trained. This is an important statement for the Boy Scouts of
America as a youth organization and reinforces the BSA's commitment to the
well-being of all youth members and volunteers.
Q7: I am sure I know all there is to know about youth
protection. Can I "test out" by only taking the Youth Protection
online quiz?
A7: No. You must complete the entire online training in order for your Youth
Protection certificate to be valid. This ensures you receive the latest
information on BSA Youth Protection.
Important: Please note that the quiz has been removed
from the e-Learning Center because the content did not reflect the new
changes in Youth Protection policy.
Q8: Does the executive officer (institutional head) of a unit
need to take Youth Protection training?
A8: If the executive officer is not a registered leader, he or she is not
required to complete Youth Protection training, although it is strongly
recommended. If the executive officer is a registered member of the BSA, then
he or she must complete Youth Protection training.
Q9: I am a Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent. Do I need
to take Youth Protection training?
A9: The Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent designations are not
registered adult positions; therefore, mandatory Youth Protection training is
not required. It is strongly recommended, however, that all adults involved
in Scouting take Youth Protection training. All registered adults are required
to take Youth Protection training.
Q10: I am an Explorer post Advisor. Does this new policy apply
to me?
A10: Yes. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection
training.
Q11: The new policy indicates that a Youth Protection certificate
of completion must be submitted "at the time of application." What
does that mean?
A11: A BSA application should be collected from a prospective leader only
with the fully completed form, with a copy of the individual's Youth
Protection certificate of completion. Both documents should be submitted
together to the council service center.
Q12: Do leaders need to wait until they have final clearance
on the background check to meet with youth?
A12: No. As long as their application is fully completed, submitted to the
council service center, and approved, their fee is paid, and their Youth
Protection training has been received by and acknowledged by the council,
they will be able to interact with youth members while the criminal background
check (CBC) is still pending.
Q13: Do merit badge counselors need to take Youth Protection
training?
A13: Yes. A merit badge counselor is a registered volunteer position.
Q14: Can units that have some adult leaders who have not
completed Youth Protection training be rechartered?
A14: In order for a unit to be rechartered, it must have all the required
positions filled with Youth Protection-trained adults. Adults who do not have
current (within the past two years) Youth Protection training will not be
reregistered.
Q15: Will the new adult applications have this information?
A15: Yes. All new applications will reflect these changes.
Q16: Can a council or district organize Youth Protection group
training for its adults?
A16: Yes. It is encouraged that adults take the training via the online
module, but the instructor-led model is still acceptable as long as the most
current version of the Youth Protection DVD (item No. 610327 or 36121) is
used and the end-of-course quiz is proctored by the trainer at the end of the
training session. Reminder: It is critical that training completion
certificates be issued after successful completion and that a formal training
record roster be submitted to the council registrar so proper credit can be
recorded in the profiles of each participant.
Q17: Will both the regular and Venturing leader versions of
Youth Protection training meet the requirement?
A17: Yes, as long as the most current versions of the DVDs are used for group
training. The online version is the preferred method, as it allows for those
taking the training to get one-on-one training and take all the time they
need for review. The individual is issued an immediate certificate of
completion, which allows for the updating of the volunteer's ScoutNet record.
Q18: If a person is not a registered leader, how can he or she
log in and take the Youth Protection training?
A18: A person does not
have to be a registered volunteer to take Youth Protection training. To take
the training, log in to myscouting.org and click on create an
account. After you have confirmed your new myscouting account user name and
password, log in to myscouting.org and click on e-training to begin
the Youth Protection training. Upon completion, print a certificate to submit
with a completed adult leader application to the unit leader or your local
council representative for processing. Remember to keep a copy for your
records.
Once the application is
approved, the new leader will receive his or her membership card with their
member ID. It is important that new members log back in to myscouting.org
and update their profile with this member ID to receive credit for completing
this and any other training.
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