Activity Worker Guidelines

(Activity Directors: Provide one copy of this document to Activity Worker)

The following guidelines were developed to avoid questionable contact between Activity Workers and youth participants. The preferred method is to avoid private one-on-one interactions and always have another adult observer present during all interactions with youth. This will provide greater protection to the youth and the Activity Workers.

Definitions

Youth – Any person under the age of 19, excluding full- and part-time Nebraska students

Activity Worker – includes directors, coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, student assistants, staff, faculty, officials, referees or contracted teachers or any other adult or student acting as a supervisor/mentor/worker in a paid, unpaid or volunteer status.

Activity Director – a person who plans, directs and supervises all youth activity programs and staff

Activity Support Staff – any person who provides support services such as food service, custodial, maintenance, etc. for the activity.

Activity Worker Judgment

Activity Workers are role models to youth and should act accordingly. As an Activity Worker, you must ask yourself the following questions regarding your decisions and the situations in which you may find yourself. Contact the Activity Director if you have questions or concerns.

  1. What are the physical risks involved in this activity/decision?

  2. Are there any foreseeable risks? What dangers can be avoided?

  3. Who is this activity/decision for, the youths or me?

  4. How will youths benefit from this activity and how is it related to the purpose of the activity?

  5. What would I do if the youths or their parents were watching?

  6. What would I do if the Activity Director was watching?

  7. Could my action/decision cost me my job?

Interaction Guidelines

The primary interaction guidelines are provided below and are to be followed by all Activity Workers.

  1. Immediately report any suspected abuse and neglect (including sexual assault or contact) of a youth to University Police (402-472-2222), local law enforcement or the Nebraska Health and Human Services.

  2. UNL reserves the right to terminate an Activity Worker or Activity Support Staff worker for engaging in illegal activities or sexual misconduct while off duty.

  3. Alcohol or tobacco products should not be used in the presence of youth(s) and any use must comply with University policies. Use of illegal drugs or non-over the counter drugs without a prescription is prohibited. Activity Workers and Activity Support Staff should not conduct any activity under the influence of alcohol or other mind altering substances.

  4. Use of profanity in front of youth is prohibited.

  5. Avoid making inappropriate comments when in the presence of youth(s), including but not limited to comments that are sexual, racial, related to sexual or gender orientation, and/or religious comments.

  6. A youth requiring medical attention is to be directed to the activities designated first aid contact immediately.

  7. Always have youths follow safety directives (i.e. fire alarm - evacuation, severe weather, etc.)

  8. The possession of weapons or explosive devices is prohibited, except where use is a recognized part of the activity/clinic/conference.

  9. Use of an Activity Worker’s or Activity Support Staff’s personal room or home for meeting/interacting with youth that are affiliated with the Youth Activity is prohibited. Activity Workers and Activity Support Staff are prohibited from meeting youth off-site or off hours. Exceptions require parental written approval and the Activity Director’s approval in advance.

  10. Any participating Nebraska Activity Workers who will be responsible for transporting youth by vehicle must undergo and pass a Driving Record Check as required by the Nebraska Transportation Safety policy. Non-Nebraska Activity Workers who transport youth must have a valid driver’s license and be approved by the Activity Director to transport youth. If one-on-one travel must occur, the Activity Worker must contact his/her supervisor or designee immediately before departure and immediately upon arrival at the destination.

  11. Taking pictures of youth or posting to social media sites without parental permission is prohibited.

Interactions with Youth

  1. Respect the privacy of youths.

  2. Supervise in pairs whenever possible; avoid being alone with a youth.

  3. Never leave youth unsupervised.

  4. All physical contact should be appropriate (i.e. high fives, bones). Activity Workers should not engage in, initiate, or encourage inappropriate contact, such as chest bumps, kisses, hugs, butt slaps or sitting on laps.

  5. Physical restraint is prohibited, except to protect youth.

  6. Touching of youth is prohibited, except when it is in the open with others present.

  7. Any touching of youth should be restricted to areas not covered by a typical bathing suit.

  8. Always be in view of others (i.e. when meeting in an office) leave the door open and have another Activity Worker present in the room or close proximity. If privacy is required, inform another Activity Worker that the door will be closed for a private conversation and make sure the other Activity Worker will remain nearby in the area. If no other Activity Worker is present in the building, the meeting should be rescheduled or moved to a more public location.

  9. When in bathrooms or locker rooms, Activity Workers must be the same gender as the youth. Activity Workers showering or bathing with youths is strictly prohibited under all circumstances. Activity Workers will not be in the shower or bath areas with youth except during extreme medical emergencies.

  10. Whenever possible, youths should not be transported in an Activity Workers’ personal vehicle.

  11. All youths must have adult supervision until released to a parent or guardian, unless specific written parental permission is received.

  12. Do not share personal or intimate information with youth.

  13. Do not give personal gifts to youths.

Overnight Activities/Programs

In addition to the above, the following are further precautions related to overnight youths who stay in campus/other housing.

  1. A ratio of at least one adult supervisor to every 15 youths is required, with a minimum of two adult supervisors regardless of size of activity.   At least one adult supervisor of the same sex as the youths is required.

  2. Youth are not allowed alone in Activity Worker(s)’ private rooms.

  3. Do not enter a bathroom or shower area to assist a youth without another Activity Worker present.

  4. Never leave youths unsupervised in the residence halls at night.

Child Abuse and Neglect Including Sexual Assault Reporting Requirements

Nebraska statutes require any person who becomes aware of any child abuse or neglect, including sexual assault, to report such abuse, neglect, or assault to law enforcement or the Department of Health and Human Services. Law enforcement is likewise required to notify DHHS of any such incidents reported to them. Activity Workers are required to notify the University Police Department at 402-472-2222 immediately when these situations are suspected.

This means that if you suspect any child abuse or neglect, including sexual assault: 1) you must report it, 2) you should give as much information about the circumstances as possible, 3) you are immune from liability from any civil or criminal liability if you have reported the information in good faith, and 4) if you know of child abuse, neglect, or sexual assault but are not reporting it, you are breaking the law.

Reference: Nebraska Statutes 28-711; 28-716; 28-717