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 must register with the Youth Safety & Compliance Office (YSCO). Programs designated as  are not required to register.

Registration must be submitted at least 45 calendar days before the program start date of a Tier II or Tier III Youth Program, and at least 30 calendar days before the start date of a Tier I Youth Program. Late submissions may still be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

For more information, please visit the Registration page. 

Criminal Activity

Any suspected criminal activity involving youth must be reported immediately to law enforcement by calling 911, and notifying the parents/guardians, PPC, and YSCO. 

Child Abuse and Neglect

• All individuals associated with Tier II & III Youth Programs should report suspected child abuse or neglect as soon as possible to the PPC, who will in turn report, as appropriate to the ³Ô¹ÏÍø
  Department of Child and Family Services by calling 1-866-820-5437 (available 24/7) and YSCO.
• Tier I Youth Programs are encouraged to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Department of Child and Family Services by calling 1-866-820-5437 (available 24/7).
• Tier I, II, & III, if the situation presents imminent or ongoing danger, call 911 immediately.

Behavioral Incidents and Concerns

In the event of an emergency, call 911 immediately. Within 24 hours, the PPC must also notify YSCO by submitting an Incident Report Form. Tier II and III Youth Program staff are required to report any serious or concerning behavioral incidents, including grooming behavior, discrimination, harassment, boundary violations, or sexual activity involving youth (including activity considered consensual), to the PPC who will in turn report to YSCO and to the parents/guardians. 

• The (available on the YSCO website: umt.edu/youthsafety).

Yes!

For Tier I Youth Programs, the Primary Point of Contact is responsible for hiring program staff and completing background check requirements that are consistent with, or equivalent to, those required by the ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

For Tier II and III Youth Programs, the Primary Point of Contact is responsible for coordinating, as applicable, background checks for all Tier II and III Youth Program Staff. Current University employees with a background check on file are not required to be background checked again. All new employees and other program staff must complete a background check if one has not been completed and retained on file by the ³Ô¹ÏÍø within two years prior to the program start date.

YSCO can assist in this process if needed. Background checks must:

• Comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
• Cover a minimum of 7 years of criminal history verification at the county, national, and international (if applicable) levels.
• Include an alias search (if applicable) and a national Sex Offender Registry check.

The PPC must confirm completion of all required background checks and submit such confirmation to YSCO at least seven business days prior to the program start date. Tier II and III Youth Program staff may not work with youth until their background check is completed, reviewed, and approved. The individual unit must retain all records for a minimum of six years per OCHE record retention schedule.

For Tier II and III programs, staff who are not employed by the University must also complete a written application, a live interview, and a minimum of two satisfactory reference checks (including personal and professional references) before beginning to work with youth.

Any new Program Staff who wish to use a background check not obtained through the University must obtain prior approval from YSCO.

All Tier II and III Youth Program Staff must promptly notify the Primary Point of Contact, who will in turn report to YSCO if their staff are arrested, charged with a crime, or subject to a restraining order. Upon receiving such notice, YSCO will work with appropriate University officials to evaluate the situation and make appropriate adjustments depending on whether the criminal activity affects the Authorized Adult's ability to continue their role with youth.

The following training requirements apply to Tier II and III Youth Programs:

• All new Program Staff must complete the ³Ô¹ÏÍø online Youth Safety Training Module at least 3 business days prior to the program start date.
• Returning Program staff must complete the training module every 12 months. Notes will be included if any new material is introduced.
• The PPC must confirm and document training completion for all staff and submit this confirmation to YSCO.

For Tier II & Tier III Youth Programs, the PPC must ensure that minimum staffing ratios are maintained at all times during the program, including overnight hours for residential programs. Tier II and III Youth Program Staff must:

• Actively avoid one-on-one contact with youth outside the presence of others.
• In unavoidable one-on-one situations: choose a public and observable setting; limit physical contact to appropriate gestures; document the interaction and notify a supervisor; and arrange for random checks if the situation is recurring.
• Ensure all staff are at least 18 years of age.
• Remain on-site (PPC or designee(s)) during overnight residential programs.

Table B-1: Overnight / Residential Programs

Table B-2: Day / Non-Residential Programs