The University is committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of Children who visit our campus and who participate in University Programs. The purpose of this policy is to describe the University’s expectations of University Associates when interacting with Children in connection with Programs, and to set forth criteria for Programs involving Children to help ensure their safety while in the University’s care.

This policy applies to all University faculty, staff, students, and volunteers working or interacting with Children.

APPENDIX A

Behavioral Expectations for Working with Children

Those associated with Programs involving Children shall observe the following “dos” and “don’ts” in order to maintain a safe and positive experience for Program participants, encourage parental confidence and avoid mistaken allegations.

DO:

• Report any instance or suspected instance of Abuse or neglect involving a Child to Notre Dame Police Department immediately (574-631-5555).
• Maintain the highest standards of personal behavior at all times when interacting with Children.
• Whenever possible, try to have another adult present when you are working with Children in an unsupervised setting. Conduct necessary one-on-one interactions with Children in a public environment where you can be observed.
• Treat all Children in a group consistently and fairly, and with respect and dignity.
• Be friendly with Children within the context of the formal Program while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Maintain discipline and discourage inappropriate behavior by Children, consulting with your supervisors if you need help with misbehaving youth.
• Be aware of how your actions and intention might be perceived and could be misinterpreted.
• Consult with other adult supervisors or colleagues when you feel uncertain about a situation.

DON’T:

• • Don’t spend significant time alone with one Child away from the group or conduct private interactions with Children in enclosed spaces or behind closed doors.
  • Don’t engage in inappropriate touching or have any physical contact with a Child in private locations.
  • Don’t use inappropriate language, tell inappropriate jokes, or make sexually suggestive comments around Children, even if Children themselves are doing so.
  • Don’t give personal gifts to, or do special favors for, a Child or do things that may be seen as favoring one Child over others.
  • Don’t share information with Children about your private life or have informal or purely social contact with Children who are Program participants outside of Program activities.
  • Don’t strike or hit a Child or use corporal punishment or other punishment involving physical pain or discomfort.
  • Don’t relate to Children as if they were your peers, conduct private correspondence or take on the role of “confidant” (outside of a professional counseling relationship).
  • Don’t date or become romantically or sexually involved with a Child. Don’t show pornography to Children or involve Children in pornographic activities.
  • Don’t provide alcohol or drugs to Children or use them in the presence of Children.

APPENDIX B

Checklist for Programs involving Children

1. Contact the Office of Risk Management at least 15 days prior to the Program with the following information:

1. 1. Program’s dates, times, locations, attendance (age range and number of participants).
   2. Responsible Party contact information along with list of adults who will work directly with Children.

2. Establish a registration process for the Program:

1. 1. System for capturing contact information of parents/guardians
   2. Process for pick-up and release of Children to parents/guardians
   3. Collection of waivers, medical information and other relevant documents
   4. Handling money
   5. On-campus housing access
   6. Transportation needs

3. Conduct Background Checks:

1. 1. Work with the Office of Human Resources to ensure that a criminal and sexual background check has been completed for adults and non-students who will be interacting with Children in the Program.  Further, any adults or non-students staying overnight with Children as part of a Program must have had a criminal and sexual background check within the last three years. 
   2. Establish a process to ensure that anyone affiliated with the Program who is not an employee of the University, including non-student volunteers, has been subject to a criminal and sexual background check.
   3. Student Volunteers will be required to sign a sworn statement revealing any criminal background.

4. Communicate Behavioral Expectations

1. 1. Prior to the implementation of any Program involving Children, communicate the Behavioral Expectations for Working with Children found in Appendix A to all individuals involved in the Program.
   2. Identify any additional specific behavioral expectations related to the Program.

5. Training

1. 1. Each adult who will be working with Children in the Program must complete the online training provided by the Office of Risk Management at minimum every three years.

      The Unit may enhance or modify the required training to meet specific needs of the particular program involved in consultation with the Office of Risk Management to ensure all required elements are included.

6. Waivers

1. 1. Provide liability waivers signed by parents or guardians to Risk Management