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:
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.
Providing you with clear and helpful information is a priority If you have additional questions, please contact your council or please let us know by sending your questions to youthprotection@scouting.org. We will review all inquires and post updates to www.scouting.org/youthprotection.