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.
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 .