Policy Guidelines for Leaders Working with Youth


	Policy Guidelines for Leaders working with Youth

updates in green

Adults Supervising Youth
All leaders (paid staff and volunteer) working with youth in supervisory roles must be screened.
Screening includes:

Completion of application (click here for application)
Documentation of at least two references having been checked (click here for request for reference letter & form)
Documentation of interview using the interview summary (click here for interview report form)
Participation in Orientation to Extension including review of the Adult Behavior guidelines (click here for guidelines)
Completion of agreement form (click here for agreement form)

All forms and necessary documentation are found in "Implementing Policy: Screening Adults Working with Youth in Extension Service Programming" Booklet. To obtain a copy contact Jenny Jordan (706/542-4H4H)

Applicants should be forwarded to the Extension Screening Committee in the following circumstances:

Conviction of a crime including felonies, crimes of moral turpitude, or misconduct as it relates to a minor.
One or more references fail to recommend the individual serve as a 4-H volunteer.
Information obtained in the interview and/or reference checking process leads an agent to feel unease or question the leader's qualifications.
Information provided by the applicant is found to be untrue.

Documentation
Screening is coordinated by the County Extension Agent coordinating 4-H work and/or the County Extension Coordinator. All documentation should be kept in a secured location in the County Extension office. All screened leaders should be entered in the county's 4-H Enrollment and checked as a screened leader with the date of screening added.

Leaders that are no longer active as defined by not being involved in programming in the last year, should have the screening check removed from their county 4-H Enrollment and are no longer considered screened leaders.If the leader were to return to Extension, screening would need to be completed again.

4-H Adult Overnight Chaperones
All leaders (paid staff and volunteer) chaperoning youth overnight must complete the 4-H Overnight Chaperone requirements. Overnight Chaperone Requirements include:

Completion of above screening requirements
Participation in the 4-H Overnight Chaperone Training program including viewing the video (4-H Overnight Chaperone Training)and receiving the 4-H Overnight Chaperone Handbook.
Completion of the 4-H Overnight Chaperone Agremeent.

Certification of 4-H Overnight Chaperones must be handled by certified trainers ONLY! Documentation (agreement) is added to the screening file for the adult and kept in a secured location in the County Extension office. Certified Overnight Chaperones are checked in the county's online 4-H Enrollment and the date of certification added.

Following certification, leaders certification is current as long as the adult participates in 4-H programming. Retraining may be necessary as updates and changes are made in existing policies and guidelines. A

NOTE: Documentation is required in order for a volunteer to serve in a supervisory role and for any adult to chaperone youth overnight. If a complete screening packet (and overnight chaperone agreement for overnight) is not on file, then the adult is not eligible to serve as a volunteer in a supervisory role with youth in Extension programming.

For more information concerning screening requirements and 4-H Overnight Chaperone Training contact Jenny Jordan (706) 542-4H4H

	Return to 4-H Policy & Procedure Main Page
	Return to 4-H Guidebook Main Page
	Return to Main Georgia 4-H Webpage

updated 4/15/08