Risk Services

Youth Protection Program

Youth Protection Program

Safeguarding positive engagement with minors 


Common activities and programs 

  • Youth Sports Athletic Camps and Clinics
  • Day Camps and Programs (non-sport) 
  • Overnight Camps and Programs
  • Mentoring and Tutoring Programs
  • Outreach Programs
  • Community Service Activities 
  • ALL internships for minors (labs, field, office, etc.) 
  • Recruitment Activities

Requirements

Required BEFORE an activity or program with minors begins. A minor is defined as an individual under the age of 18 who is not enrolled in an academic or graduate degree program for academic credit.

  1. Employees, Students and Volunteers who HAVE care, custody and control of minors
  2. Minors and Parents/Legal Guardians complete PRIOR to program
    • Waiver of Liability
    • Emergency Information and Contacts for Minor 
    • Authorization to Consent to Treatment of Minor
    • Complete Waiver if there will be Minors in Laboratories and Shops

Abuse Reporting Guidelines

Suspected Abuse of Minors MUST Be Reported. University of California Policy – Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

Any suspected abuse or neglect of a minor participant – whether on or off campus property or whether perpetrated by employees, volunteers, or others – must be reported to state authorities.  Reports may be made confidentially or anonymously.  A person who mistakenly reports suspected abuse is immune for civil or criminal liability as long as the report was made in good faith and without malice.  

Reports of suspected or known abuse must be made to the following: 

If an imminent threat, contact UCSC Police Department immediately or local law enforcement if off campus to intervene.  Report to immediate supervisor.  Immediately contact the local child protective agency.  

Santa Cruz County Child Protective: 1-877-505-3299 or 831-454-2273 

Santa Clara County Child Protective: 1-833-722-5437

  • Available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week 

The report can also be made to any police or sheriff’s department.  To reach campus police, call 831-459-2231.  

A written report must be mailed or faxed to the child protective agency within 36 hours of learning of the incident.  Use the Suspected Child Abuse Report Form and the Definitions and General Instructions for Completion of Form SS 8572. 

File an internal report with the University by first reporting observed or suspected child abuse or neglect to their supervisors or through the University Whistleblower Hotline.  Supervisors who receive reports should promptly forward those reports to the Hotline.  These internal reports may be made anonymously.  After reporting to Hotline, immediately notify Chief Compliance Officer, Anna Finn, at (831-459-3276, or annaf@ucsc.edu ).  When two or more persons are aware of an instance of abuse or neglect, and when there is an agreement among them, the report may be made by one of them.  The duty to report is individual.  No one shall impede the reporting duties.  No one shall be subject to any sanction for making a report.  

Screening: Background Checks  

Employees – Staff, Faculty and Student 

Departments are responsible for ensuring that a background check is completed for all those employees who have direct responsibility for the care, safety and security of minors.  Refer to policy PPSM-21, see Staff Human Resources, Background Checks.

  

 Volunteers

Before volunteers can start, they must complete and clear a background check in accordance with PPSM-21, Staff Human Resources Volunteers Process, and the Volunteer Service Policy.

Procedures for Transporting Minors

To mitigate risks, authorized persons must adhere to the procedures below: 

When transporting minors: 

  • Authorized persons must have a valid driver’s license and submit a current Department of Motor Vehicles Driver’s Record Printout to the Program Directors 
  • Authorized persons must complete the Defensive Driving Fundamentals course on the UC Learning Center Website 
  • Program Directors must be notified of all transportation activities 
  • Minors must NOT be transported without written permission from their parents/guardians 
  • Authorized persons should avoid transporting minors in their personal vehicles. 
  • For a single minor, two authorized persons must be present during transportation, or at least two minors must be present if transported by a single authorized person
  • When transporting minors by bus or van:
    • Drivers should not be assigned as supervisors for the minors 
    • Authorized persons should be strategically seated through the bus for effective supervision, with at least one authorized person in the middle of the bus and one in the far rear
    • Minors should not be seated behind authorized persons 
    • Authorized persons should occupy outside seats to facilitate supervision of minors on the bus 
    • Minors should be seated by grade, gender and behavior 
    • Conduct a head count or roll call before entering and exiting the bus or van
    • In van transportation, another authorized person should supervise the minors and assist the driver.
  • When using public transportation
    • Minors should ideally remain in one area of the bus 
    • Authorized persons assigned to a specific group should stay with that group on the bus
    • Conduct a headcount or roll call immediately after entering and exiting the bus 
  • In EMERGENCY situations requiring the use of non-program vehicles:
    • Program Directors must be promptly notified of the emergency transportation activities
    • For a single minor, two authorized persons must be present during transportation, or at least two minors must be present if transported by a single authorized person

For Questions and Information, Contact: risk@ucsc.edu

Last modified: Jun 12, 2025