1. Optimizing Potential in 4-H Youth Development
4-H Volunteer Training
Optimizing Potential in 4-H Youth Development

2. Reducing Risks for Child Sexual Abuse/Harassment

3. 4-H Youth Program Philosophy
Caring, capable, contributing adults serve as role models.
We provide strong educational youth development program conducted in a variety of settings.
We have a rich heritage and want to ensure beneficial experiences for both youth and adults.
The Indiana 4-H program provides a strong educational youth development program. Our programs deliver educational experiences in a variety of settings, whether it be one-on-one, small groups, camps, or large events such as fairs and recognition events.
The adults who volunteer to serve in our programs are caring, capable individuals with a desire to guide and nurture the young people they serve.
We treasure the rich heritage of Indiana 4-H youth programs and want to ensure that our program is available to all who want to participate. We also want to do whatever we can to make sure that both youth and adults have a safe, rewarding experience.

4. Youth Development May Be A Risky Business
Our society is constantly changing.
We need to take more precautions today than we did in years past.
It is prudent to review risky occasions and situations and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.
Our society is constantly changing, and adults working with youth today need to be aware of some of the issues and problems that could arise from close working relationships with young people.
Oftentimes individuals perceive situations differently, and that creates the possibility that youth volunteers could be accused of harassment or sexual abuse when there was no intent. Therefore, it is prudent to be aware of situations that could put volunteers at risk and to take all precautions to ensure that no accusations will be raised.
Adult Leaders have the primary responsibility of protecting 4-Hers and keeping them safe from the risk of child sexual abuse. Their secondary responsibility is to protect the reputation of the 4-H program as a whole from true or untrue allegations of child sexual abuse.

5. SuperStarz 4-H Club Read the minutes of the SuperStarz 4-H Club.
Are there any situations that may cause concern?
Separate sleeping quarters for both girls and boys, as well as youth and adults.
Lack of adequate supervision during the overnight activities. (Vanderburgh County requires at least two adult leaders at each event.)
Many workshops that could be dangerous (wood working, shooting sports, etc.), possibly without appropriate adult supervision/participation.
Will the workshops interfere with each other (using electric power tools while having a water balloon war, having a spot shoot with horses in the immediate area).
Are the individuals supervising the spot shoot Purdue trained Shooting Sports leaders? Are all state and federal fire arms regulations being followed?
The bonfire is left without supervision once Harold Champion goes to bed.
Vanna Driver’s vehicle might not have had seat belts for seven clover members.
Does Vanna Driver have a valid license, insurance, registration, etc? Did she have signed permission slips from a parent/guardian for each member?
Is the location safe? Does the Champion’s insurance cover these activities?
Possible food safety issues.

6. Abuse/Harassment Sexual harassment and abuse are real.
Accusations can be made when perceptions differ.
4-H volunteers need to avoid risky situations.
There are 11 factors to consider.
Location, Parental Involvement, Adult Supervision, Frequency and Duration of Interaction, Changing Clothes, Training, Education of Children, Monitoring, Physical Contact, Staff/Volunteer Turnover, Age and Disabilities
Issues of sexual harassment and abuse fill our newspapers and broadcasts these days. They are disturbing issues and sometimes it seems as though accusations are made for situations where no wrongdoing was intended or done. Other cases, however, are very real. Because of this, all interactions with youth are scrutinized very closely.
Volunteers who work with youth in the 4-H program need to learn how best to ensure that they and the youth they are working with are not put in risky situations.
There are 11 factors that help determine the level of risk for sexual abuse for children. Examining those factors will help keep yourself and the young people you work with safe.

7. Public settings present lower risk. Private homes present medium risk.
Location
Parental Involvement
Public settings present lower risk.
Private homes present medium risk.
Isolated settings present higher risk.
The more parental involvement, the lower the risk.
Molesters seek out children who are isolated.
Parental involvement signals less vulnerability.
Generally, the more public the program setting, the lower the exposure to risk for child abuse. Holding activities in facilities with greater public access reduces the opportunity for sexual abuse to occur by permitting the activities to be observed by other individuals such as parents, other children, and interested bystanders.
Activities in private homes present an average risk, especially if some youth arrive early or stay late and are alone with an adult. Activities held in isolated settings, such as camps, present a higher risk.
The more parental involvement in the program, the lower the risk for child abuse. When parents are actively involved in a program, they provide additional observation, monitoring, and supervision of activities.
Child molesters seek children who are isolated and in need of acceptance and affection from adults, so parental involvement is often a sign that the child is less vulnerable.

8. The more adults, the lower the risk.
Adult Supervision
Frequency/Duration
The more adults, the lower the risk.
There are no magic supervision ratios.
Factors to consider.
Size of the group
Ages of the children
Nature of the activity
Setting where the activity occurs
At least 3 people should always be present.
The less interaction between child and adult, the lower the risk.
Longer periods of involvement provide more opportunities for abuse to occur.
Generally, the more adult supervision of program activities, the lower the exposure to risk for child abuse. The opportunities for sexual abuse are fewer when several volunteers are present than when a single volunteer supervises program activities.
There are no magic supervision ratios of adults to children. The specific ratio of volunteers to participants should be sufficient to supervise activities safely when taking into account such factors as: size of the group, ages of children involved, nature of the activity, setting in which the activity occurs.
Sufficient numbers of adults should be present to ensure that if some were pulled away from their assignments, sufficient supervision would continue to be present. Some resource suggest that at least three people (adults and/or youth) should be present in all situations.
The less regular the interaction between a volunteer and any specific child, the lower the exposure to risk for child sexual abuse. A volunteer who interacts infrequently with a particular child has less opportunity to develop a relationship that could lead to sexual abuse than does a volunteer who meets with the same child several times a week.
Longer periods of involvement provide more opportunities for sexual abuse to occur due to the grooming process used by many molesters to build trust with their potential victim. The opportunity for sexual abuse increases with the length of the program, since the child molester has more time to break down the child’s resistance.

9. Volunteer training can reduce risks. It can:
Changing Clothes
Training
The less need to change clothes associated with the activity, the lower the risk.
When children are changing clothes, preparing for bed, or showering, they are more vulnerable.
Volunteer training can reduce risks.
It can:
Alert volunteers that the organization will respond aggressively to any allegations.
Inform volunteers about what to look for.
Communicate organizational policies to prevent child abuse.
The less that changing clothing is a necessary part of the program activity, the lower the exposure to risk for child abuse. When children are changing clothes, preparing for bed, or showering, they are more vulnerable to sexual abuse than when they are fully clothed.
Training for volunteers can reduce a child’s exposure to risk within a program by: 1) Alerting volunteers that the organization is mindful of the potential for abuse and will respond aggressively to allegations of sexual abuse; 2) Informing volunteers about what to look for so that they can more adequately supervise program activities; 3) Communicating policies adopted by the organization to prevent child sexual abuse from happening.
When an organization requires its volunteers to participate in a training program developed to address the risks of child abuse, the risk of child sexual abuse within the organization decreases.

10. The more monitoring of an activity, the lower the risk.
Education of Children
Monitoring
The more education children receive on child abuse, the lower the risk.
The more monitoring of an activity, the lower the risk.
When no monitoring occurs, the risk increases.
Generally, the more age-appropriate education about child abuse that is provided to children and youth participants, the lower the exposure to risk for child sexual abuse.
Many children do not understand what sexual abuse is; nor do they know what to do when sexual abuse occurs. Educating children about sexual abuse helps them recognize attempted to actual sexual abuse; it empowers children to resist the efforts of child molesters; and it encourages children to report any individuals who behave in a sexually abusive manner.
Research shows that, when children are required to participate in educational experiences about child abuse, the risk is low. When education is offered to children, but not required, the risk is at a medium level, and when no education is offered, the risk is much higher.
The more monitoring of volunteer activity that occurs, the lower the exposure to risk for child abuse. Either volunteers or employees of the organization may perform this monitoring or supervision. When volunteers are left to function independently with little or no monitoring of their activities, the opportunities for child sexual abuse increase and so should the level of volunteer screening.

11. Staff/Volunteer Turnover
Physical Contact
Staff/Volunteer Turnover
The less physical contact, the lower the risk.
Situations where the activity requires physical contact between adult and child can provide high risk.
Adults may justify unacceptable behavior as an unintentional slip.
Low turnover of both staff and volunteers lowers the risk.
The less physical contact involved in activities between volunteers and youth, the lower the exposure to risk for child sexual abuse. ‘Physical contact’ refers to touching between children and volunteers as a routine part of the volunteer’s responsibilities. Physical contact may range from assisting children with disabilities with their personal hygiene, to assisting with instruction in sports such as wrestling and swimming. Unfortunately, volunteers whose responsibilities require them to have physical contact with children can misuse the opportunity which that contact provides to sexualize the touch and then, if questioned, justify it as an unintentional slip.
Organizations with very little staff turnover are at lower risk for child abuse allegations. Those where there is considerable turnover of both staff and volunteers are at a much higher risk. Children who are working with volunteers whom they do not know well are not able to evaluate changes in their behavior or note any other indicators of possible concern.

12. Children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be abused.
Age and Disabilities
The age of onset is highest for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The risk is especially high for 10- to 12-year-olds.
Children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be abused.
Children with family problems are also at high risk.
The age of onset for sexual abuse is highest between 8 and 12 years of age. The risk of sexual abuse is especially high for children between 10 and 12 years of age. Children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be sexually abused as are children of the same ages who do not have disabilities. Children with social, emotional, or family-related problems also are at higher risk of child sexual abuse than other children of the same age.

13. Child Molesters
Youth organizations are attractive to child molesters due to the close working relationships with young people.
The typical child molester is:
Male
In a heterosexual relationship
Not the ‘pervert in the park’
Respectable in appearance
Trusted by the parent/guardian of the child
Organizations such as the 4-H program are attractive to child molesters since these organizations work so closely with young people. These organizations must constantly review their volunteers and activity procedures to ensure safety.
Though the characteristics of child molesters vary widely, as with any classification of criminal, there are some typical characteristics that youth organizations and volunteers should be aware of. The typical child molester is male, heterosexual, involved in a heterosexual relationship, appears respectable, maintains a respectable position in an organization (such as a 4-H leader), and has gained the trust of the parent or caregiver of the child. This does not mean that females or single males should not be monitored as well.
Having gained the trust of the parent or guardian, child molesters can be difficult to catch and convict; as frequently the parent or guardian refuses to believe this person could participate in such acts. Juries can also be difficult to convince that what a child says about this pillar of the community, family man, man of the cloth is true.
Child molesters target individuals that may be vulnerable or looking for acceptance. They frequently groom their victims in preparation for the offense by taking an active interest in the child and his/her interests, helping the child, being extremely kind, or being the mother or father the child never had. The molester gains the child’s trust and the child typically develops sincere feelings of love or appreciation for this individual.

14. Duty to Report
Volunteers have a duty to report any instance of child abuse or neglect that you observe or become aware of.
Indiana Code
Indiana Code states “In addition to any other duty to report arising under this article, an individual who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect shall make a report as required by this article.” Failure to report is a Class B misdemeanor. Indiana law also includes a provision for immunity for any individual who makes a report that turns out to be untrue, as long as the person was acting in good faith.

15. Reducing Volunteer Risks
Programs provide opportunities for youth and adults to learn and work together.
Awareness of the risk factors can ensure that all are safe.
Our programs involve youth, caring adults, parents, and leaders having fun, learning, and working together in club activities, project groups, special interest groups, and endless special events.
Awareness of the 11 risk factors, and your efforts to ensure that the activities you plan are low-risk experiences will ensure that all involved have an educational and rewarding experience.

16. Vanderburgh County Adult Leaders
Adult Leaders should avoid drugs and alcohol.
Adult Leaders should avoid discussing their personal sexual experiences.
Adult Leaders should avoid pornography.
4-H members should never see the inside of an Adult Leader’s bedroom.

17. Safety
Get parents’ permission before ing a youth’s personal address. Send a copy of the message to the parent and if possible, another leader.
Avoid private s to youth.

18. Online Social Networking Safety Tips
Do not send alcohol products to youth under age 21.
Do not use provocative games (i.e. Superpoke) with your members.
Send message publicly on walls instead of private.
Encourage parents to monitor youth online.
If you see something questionable, contact parents first.

19. Leadership Online Tips
If 4-H members are your friends, monitor your wall.
Your profile sets an example of responsible networking.
Your profile is like a tattoo – what you post can last forever.

20. Don’ts for leaders online
Don’t badmouth people, employers, customers, or 4-H.
Don’t use bad language.
Don’t promote substance or alcohol abuse.
Don’t post risqué information.
Don’t post embarrassing photos.
Don’t post photos of club members anywhere online.

21. References Adapted from
Legal Requirements for Responding to the Suspicion of Neglect and Abuse.
Indiana 4-H Youth Program Policies and Procedures. Purdue University Cooperative
Extension Service. West Lafayette, Indiana
Assessing the Level of Risk for Child Sexual Abuse. Indiana 4-H Youth Program
Policies and Procedures. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. West
Lafayette, Indiana
Screening Volunteers to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: A Community Guide for
Youth Organizations. National Collaboration for Youth. The National Assembly of
National Voluntary Health and Social Welfare Organizations
Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. Online at
Adapted from
Optimizing Your Potential as a 4-H Volunteer. 4-H Youth Department (Catherine
E. Burwell, PhD, Extension Specialist; Renee K. McKee, PhD, Project Director.
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. West Lafayette. Indiana. 2002

22. Liability and Insurance for Volunteers

23. General Liability
Provides liability coverage for bodily injury or personal injury to third parties.
Includes damage to their property when such injury is the result of Purdue’s negligent act.
Personal injury include: defamation of character, invasion of privacy, false arrest
This is not to be confused with medical coverage.
$25 million combined single limit
Let’s begin with general liability insurance. General liability insurance provides liability coverage for bodily injury or personal injury to third parties (4-H members), as well as damage to their property, when such injury is the result of Purdue’s negligent act or acts. Personal injury includes defamation of character, invasion of privacy, and false arrest. General liability insurance should not be confused with medical coverage.
The general liability coverage provided by Purdue is in the amount of $25 million combined single limit, and coverage is for the university, its employees, and its volunteers (includes 4-H Adult Leaders).

24. General Liability Coverage includes:
Payment of claims or legal settlements.
All defense costs
If an accident or injury occurs, immediately contact the Extension Office.
The coverage includes payments of claims or legal settlements, plus all defense costs. Many claims are settled between the insurance company and the party making a claim. In those instances when claims proceed to litigation, the insurance company selects the legal counsel who will represent Purdue, as well as any employees and volunteers who are named in the action.
In all instances, both the insurance company and the legal counsel, in conjunction with Purdue’s Office of Risk Management will work directly with those employees and volunteers.
In an accident or injury occurs, or if a lawsuit is threatened, immediately contact the Extension Office. Don’t wait!

25. Medical Coverage
Purdue does not provide medical coverage.

26. Auto Liability
Provides coverage for bodily injury to third parties and damage to their property.
When such injury is the result of:
The operation of a Purdue vehicle on official university business.
The operation of an employee’s or volunteer’s personal vehicle on official university business.
Your personal insurance coverage is always primary.
This insurance provides coverage for bodily injury to third parties, as well as damage to their property, when such injury or damage results from: the operation of a Purdue vehicle on official university business; or the operation of an employee’s or volunteer’s personal vehicle on official university business.
The personal auto coverage carried by the employee or volunteer is ALWAYS PRIMARY. Purdue’s coverage would come into play only if, and when, the limits of that personal coverage were exhausted.

27. Auto Liability
Purdue recommends those using their personal vehicles in volunteer activities carry at least:
$500,000 personal vehicle coverage, per accident for bodily injury or property damage.
$100,000 coverage is required by the University Risk Management Office.
$25 million combined single limit
Coverage includes
Payment of claims or legal settlements
All defense costs
Volunteers using their personal vehicles during volunteer activities are recommended to carry coverage of at least $500,00 per accident for bodily injury or property damage.
Purdue’s coverage is $25 million combined single limit that covers the university, its employees, and anyone else who has been specifically approved by the University Risk Manager to operate a Purdue vehicle. For employees and volunteers who operate their personal vehicles on official university business, this auto liability coverage is SECONDARY. Coverage includes payment of claims and legal settlements and all defense costs. The claims process is the same as for general liability. There is no physical damage coverage for vehicles owned by employees or volunteers.
Remember to contact the Extension Office immediately if there is an accident.

28. School Bus Liability
Purdue no longer carries school bus liability coverage.
When there is a need to transport a group of youth to an event the following guidelines should be followed:
Buses owned by school corporations
Buses owned by private individuals
Buses owned by private bus companies
Rented vans
School buses owned by school corporations should be utilized whenever possible. In the case of school buses owned by private individuals, a copy of the driver’s CDL license and proof of insurance is required. Indiana law requires that school bus drivers be insured with $5 million of coverage. Private bus companies may be utilized. Proof of insurance from the company is required. University policy must be followed if utilizing rented vans.

29. Transportation Alternatives
When parents drive youth to events and activities:
Parents should be encouraged to arrange their own rides for their children.
Drivers must provide a photocopy of a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Vehicles should not carry more persons than they are designed for.
Individuals under the age of 21 are not to be asked to serve as driver and transport other youth.

30. Workers Compensation Provides coverage for:
Medical expense and lost wages.
Resulting from a job-related injury or illness.
Coverage is in accordance with Indiana law.
Only Purdue University employees are covered.
Purdue does carry workers compensation, but it only covers paid university employees. Volunteers are not eligible for workers compensation through Purdue University. In accordance with Indiana law, workers compensation provides coverage for medical expenses and lost wages resulting from a job-related injury or illness.

31. Accident and Illness Coverage
This can be purchased independently for county or club 4-H events and activities.
Vanderburgh County has accident coverage through American Income Life Insurance Co.
The county maintains a blanket policy that costs $1 per member ($2 horse and pony) per year.
State-wide events are covered by the State 4-H Department
This insurance covers youth and volunteers from the time they leave home until they return home. The Vanderburgh County 4-H Council maintains a blanket policy through the American Income Life Insurance Co. State-wide events are covered by the State 4-H Department.

32. Directors and Officers Liability
Consider if the organization is involved with decision and issues not directly related to the mission of Purdue University or the Cooperative Extension Service.
When uncertain, contact CES administration.
Directors and officers liability insurance should be considered only if the members of a 4-H council or fair board (or similar body) are involved with issues and decision making which are not directly related to the mission of Purdue University or the Cooperative Extension Service.
If there is any uncertainty as to whether the board is involved with issues and decisions directly related to the mission of the university, it is recommended that a list of the board’s activities be made and submitted to CES administration who will consult with the Office of Risk Management for a final decision.

33. Coverage Concerns
Purdue coverage is broad, but not everything can be covered
Indemnification resolution
Coverage is in place as long as person is:
Acting in good faith
Acting within the scope of his/her duties
Although Purdue’s coverage is very broad, not everything can be covered by commercial insurance policies. In order to bridge that potential ‘gap,’ the University Board of Trustees passed an ‘Indemnification Resolution.’ This document states that the university will protect an employee or volunteer against whom an action is brought so long as that person was acting in good faith and within the scope of his/her duties. This assures coverage, including payment of defense costs, in the absence of insurance coverage.
‘In good faith’ means acting as a responsible person in your circumstance would act (not be negligent, criminal, or irrational). ‘Within the scope of your duties’ refers to acting within the responsibilities set for your volunteer position (Adult Behavioral Expectation, 4-H Club Organizational Volunteer).

34. Coverage Concerns Supervision of youth
Ratio of adults to youth
Mixed groups require both male and female chaperones.
Discourage an individual adult from being alone in a room with a child.
More than one adult with a group in case of an emergency.
Consider
The type of activity, number and age of participants
A common sense approach is best.
MORE IS BETTER
Supervision of youth can bring about areas of concern, especially in relationship to the ‘right’ ratio of adults to youth. There is no single ‘right’ ratio which is appropriate for all activities. Here are a few guidelines: 1) Mixed gender groups require at least one adult of each gender; 2) Discourage an individual adult from being alone in a room with a child to reduce the risk of false accusations; 3) There should always be more than one adult with a group in case of an emergency.
When considering the ‘right’ ratio of youth to adults, you must take into account the type of activity as well as the age and number of participants. If the activity is complex or has the potential to be unsafe, more supervision is always recommended. Using common sense is always the best approach. If there is any doubt, more supervision is better than not enough.

35. Coverage Concerns 4-H Shooting Sports, Sport Fishing, ATV Safety
Specific training and certification is required of volunteers.
All activities must be conducted in compliance with state 4-H guidelines. If not, insurance coverage is void.
The 4-H Shooting Sports, Sport Fishing, and ATV Safety programs require that adults working in those efforts have specific training and certification. All Shooting Sports and Sport Fishing activities must be conducted in compliance with State 4-H guidelines in order for Purdue’s insurance coverage to apply. There are no exceptions to this policy.

36. Coverage Concerns
Any 4-H youth staying overnight on a fairgrounds must be accompanied at all times by his/her parent or legal guardian.
In order for Purdue’s coverage to provide protection to staff and volunteers for any incidents arising out of overnight stays at fairgrounds, the policy on overnight stays must be followed. This policy states that any 4-H youth staying overnight must be accompanied at all times by his/her parent or legal guardian.

37. Summary Signed Adult Behavioral Expectations Form (4-H 785)
Act within the scope of authority, in good faith, under the direction of Extension staff.
No medical coverage is provided.
Recommended MINIMUM personal vehicle coverage:
$500,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage
Personal coverage is primary, Purdue’s is secondary
For coverage to be in effect for you, you must have read and signed the Adult Behavioral Expectations Form (4-H 785) and have it on file in the Extension Office. You will be covered by Purdue insurance as long as you: 1) were acting within the scope of authority; 2) were acting in good faith; 3) were acting under the direction of a Purdue University Extension staff member.
We would encourage you to check your personal auto coverage if you will be using your personal vehicle to transport 4-H members to meetings, events, or activities. The recommended amount of coverage is a minimum $500,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. $100,000 is required. Remember that your personal auto insurance will be primary and Purdue’s coverage will be secondary. Also remember that there is no medical coverage provided for volunteers.

38. Adapted from
Optimizing Your Potential as a 4-H Volunteer. 4-H Youth Department (Catherine
E. Burwell, PhD, Extension Specialist; Renee K. McKee, PhD, Project Director.
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. West Lafayette. Indiana. 2003