[Ohio-Talk] Youth Program Participant Protection Policy

[Richard Payne]

	Youth Program Participant Protection Policy 
Purpose 
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) understands the importance of
protecting all individuals, especially minors, that participate in programs
controlled by the national organization. This includes any program directly
managed by a Federation employee or by a Federation leader with
authorization to commit resources. These programs may take place at the NFB
Jernigan Institute or other locations utilized by the program. This policy
affirms our commitment to taking the necessary steps to provide a safe and
secure environment for program participants.
Definitions
Youth program participants (participants): minors seventeen years of age or
younger, and other vulnerable individuals (as defined by relevant laws and
regulations) who participate in our programs and events.
Program workers (workers): volunteers (members and non-members), employees,
and contractors who are directed by the program coordinator to interact with
our youth program participants.
Program coordinator: the NFB staff lead or designated Federation leader who
is responsible for the oversight and coordination of program workers and
program-related activities.
Screening Program Workers 
Background Checks
All program workers will be screened in accordance with this policy prior to
being eligible to serve. Screening will include at least the following:
*	An internal conflict review will be conducted by designated NFB
staff to discover circumstances that would exclude a potential program
worker from the program due to investigations or violations related to the
organization's code of conduct.
*	Criminal background checks will be conducted for all potential
program workers after they've completed an application. The background
checks will comply with applicable federal and state regulations governing
programs. Applicants will not be considered for positions when checks show
evidence of convictions for an offense involving children, violence, or any
other conduct contrary to the mission of the NFB.
The NFB will use a well-known reputable third-party service to conduct a
screening and criminal background check that allows the performance of
monthly updates to the extent permitted by law. The information obtained
will be stored on a secured server and only made accessible to authorized
NFB personnel.
Personal Interview 
A personal interview will be conducted with the applicant by an NFB staff
member or authorized designee to discuss the position and the applicant's
talents, qualifications, and abilities. Multiple and/or group interviews may
be conducted as appropriate. Individuals who have previously passed NFB's
screening process may not be required by NFB to be personally interviewed
again unless they have not worked in an NFB program for three or more years.
References 
All applicants must provide at least three references. References may be
personal or professional and presented in written form or by providing phone
and email contact information. All references will be confirmed by
appropriate program workers and documented in the applicant's file. At least
one reference will be from a personal contact if available.
Training and Education 
In addition to specific training related to the particular goals and
objectives of the program, all program workers will receive an orientation
training that includes:
*	NFB Code of Conduct review
*	Anti-discrimination
*	Consent problem recognition and creating appropriate interventions
*	Mandatory reporting responsibilities
*	Emergency procedures
Program-worker trainings and orientations will be updated and refreshed each
year.
The NFB will offer the training and orientation through workshops, programs,
and the use of Braille, print, and/or audiovisual resources.
Supervision 
Supervision of youth program participants, programs, facilities, and program
workers will be designed to protect program participants and program workers
at all times. Practices to ensure a safe and caring environment will
include:
*	A minimum of two program workers should be assigned to each program
and program location.
*	Program workers will never be alone with an individual program
participant where they are not observable by others.
*	Classroom doors should remain open unless there is a window in the
door or a side window beside it. Doors should never be locked while persons
are inside the room unless there are emergent safety needs or imminently
threatening health demands.
*	There will be access to a telephone at all program locations during
operating hours.
*	Program participants will never be left unsupervised.
*	Program workers will never release program participants to anyone
other than the authorized parent(s), guardian(s), or an individual
authorized by parents in writing or verified by phone.
*	Program workers will utilize constructive methods for maintaining
group control and managing program participants' behavior.
*	Program workers will appear and behave in a manner consistent with
the mission and values of NFB at all times; including electronic, written,
and verbal communications.
Parent/Guardian Communications 
The NFB will inform parents of our youth program participant protection
strategies. All parents will be provided with a link to the current NFB Code
of Conduct and a link to the current NFB Sexual Abuse and Molestation (SAM)
policy.
Parents will be introduced to the program workers and will receive regular
communication about the program's content and schedules, as well as feedback
regarding their child's participation in the program, including behavior and
general health.
Parents or guardians will be allowed to observe the program as deemed
appropriate by the program coordinator without disruption to the program.
Reporting Requirements 
For purposes of this policy, "child abuse" is any action (or lack of action)
that endangers or harms a child's physical, psychological, or emotional
health and development. All NFB program workers are recognized as mandated
reporters. The NFB will follow current regulations and guidelines for the
reporting of abuse.
Categories of Abuse and Neglect
Some categories of child abuse and neglect are:
*	Physical: non-accidental physical injury inflicted by another person
with the intent of hurting the child.
*	Sexual: when an adult uses a child for sexual stimulation or
gratification.
*	Neglect: the negligent treatment, lack of treatment, or the
maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for the child's welfare.
There are two levels of neglect that must be reported: general and severe.
*	Willful harm or injury: harming, injuring, or endangering a child.
*	Unlawful corporal punishment: willfully inflicting unlawful corporal
punishment on a child and resulting in a traumatic condition.
*	Abuse or neglect in out-of-home care: when a licensee,
administrator, or employee of any facility licensed to care for children or
an administrator or employee of a public or private school or other
institution or agency physically, sexually, emotionally abuses, or neglects
a child.
*	Grooming: the process used by an abuser to select a child, win the
child's trust (and the trust of the child's parent or 'gatekeeper'),
manipulate the child into sexual activity, and keep the child from
disclosing the abuse.
We recognize that sexual abusers groom children for abuse, thus, we ask all
program workers to be aware of behaviors intended to groom a child for
sexual abuse.  
Program workers will follow an internal chain of command for the reporting
of abuse and may report directly to local authorities if appropriate.
If an incident of abuse or neglect is alleged to have occurred at or during
NFB programs or activities, the following procedure shall be followed:
*	The parent or guardian of the child will be notified.
*	The appropriate authorities will be notified, consistent with local,
state, and/or federal regulations.
*	The NFB will cooperate with any investigation of the incident by
state or local authorities. In the event there is no investigation of the
incident by state or local authorities, a management team will be formed to
investigate the circumstances of the incident.
*	The alleged perpetrator of the abuse or misconduct will immediately
be separated from the group, will be placed on leave from the NFB pending an
investigation, and consequences will be administered which are consistent
with the Federation's policies and practices related to the Code of Conduct.
*	An incident report will be completed.
*	As deemed appropriate by the program coordinator and NFB Board of
Directors, other program workers, participants, and families of participants
will be notified of the incident and resulting actions taken.
Monitoring 
This policy will be reviewed and updated as needed by the National
Federation of the Blind Board of Directors or its designee on an annual
basis.
Adopted on June 20, 2023, by the National Federation of the Blind Board of
Directors.

Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com <mailto:Rchpay7 at gmail.com> 
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.


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