These operating procedures supplement the policy on Programs Involving Minors (III.A.6). Refer to the policy for applicable definitions.
Effective Date: October 1, 2025
ContactsState-Required Reporting of Child Abuse or NeglectReporting Other IncidentsAccommodations for Minors with DisabilitiesPrograms through Purdue University ExtensionProgram Registration, Staff Registration and CertificationRegistry ChecksEducation/TrainingParticipant RegistrationParticipant Custody and TransportationForms, Waivers and InsuranceChecklistFacilities UseToolsHistory and Updates to These Procedures
For questions regarding any of the steps outlined in these procedures, please contact: Youth Protection in the Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance (VPEC)youthprotection@purdue.edu
Program Staff have a responsibility to the participants and other Program Staff to take appropriate action in the event an incident occurs during the Program. Program Staff must contact the campus police or local police (if off campus) if they are witness to or made aware of allegations of criminal conduct against another individual. This includes but is not limited to fondling, rape, statutory rape, sexual exploitation, assault, and robbery, as well as allegations that Program Staff is furnishing illegal drugs or alcohol to minors. These allegations must be reported to the police even if the alleged perpetrator is a minor. If Program Staff do not know whether the incident rises to the level of police involvement, they may choose to consult the Office of the VPEC.
In addition, Program Staff must notify youthprotection@purdue.edu immediately following any incident that:
Program Directors are required to complete an incident report within the Purdue Protection of Minors Portal. Program Directors do not need to notify youthprotection@purdue.edu if they complete the incident report immediately following one of the above incidents.
In accordance with the Equal Opportunity and Equal Access (III.C.2) policy, the Sponsor(s) of a Program is responsible for providing auxiliary aids and services that enable participants with disabilities equal access to the Program. The Program Director may contact youthprotection@purdue.edu for guidance on applying this requirement to their Program.
Programs sponsored by Purdue University Extension utilize the Extension Protection of Minors Portal, which is a separate portal from the main one. The term Protection of Minors Portal used throughout these operating procedures refers to both systems.
Program Directors must ensure that all potential Program Staff members are subject to a Registry Check within the 12-month period immediately preceding the start of the Program. Sponsors must conduct Registry Checks on anyone who will serve as Program Staff, including University faculty, staff, and students and individuals who are volunteers or contracted by a third party. The Registry Check process must be completed and recorded at least one day prior to the start of the Program and before any Program Staff may interact with any minor participants. Individuals not listed on either of the registries may serve as Program Staff.
The University reserves the right, in its sole discretion and judgment for the protection of minors, to determine that past behavior, including but not limited to criminal activity, precludes an individual from serving as a Program Staff member. If the University becomes aware that a Program Staff member has a record of criminal conviction(s) or other actions that could pose a risk to participants and/or other Program Staff members after a youth Program has started, the University may direct the removal of the individual from the Program Staff and from the Program.
A participant’s parent/guardian is responsible for arranging transportation to and from a Program. Participants who will be leaving a youth program without their parent or guardian must have a signed permission slip or information submitted via the participant registration form advising of the participant’s transportation arrangements.
For Custodial Programs, the following safeguards must be in place prior to or at the start of the Program (RSOs that meet the definition of a Custodial Program are exempt from this requirement, unless serving as the Sponsor or Co-Sponsor of a specific event targeted to minors that is a Custodial Program).
These safeguards must be included in the Program’s policy and procedures. The Program’s policy and procedures are required to be uploaded to the documents tab on the event in the Protection of Minors Portal prior to the event start date.
Units of the University with administrative responsibility over the University facility that will be used during a Program must obtain from the Sponsor, prior to the start of the Program, a use of facilities or booking agreement that is in form and substance satisfactory to the University’s Office of Legal Counsel.
October 1, 2025: Added new sections on accommodations, Purdue University Extension and transportation. Added a disclaimer regarding registry checks. Noted that out-of-state third-party Sponsors must use the training in the portal and that training is different for limited-role staff. Updated subsection on insurance and the Checklist.
April 1, 2023: Updated reporting requirement language in sections II and III. In section IV, added deadline for registration, noted requirement to register Program Staff, and included equal access statement. In section V, added deadline for completing Registry Checks and clarified who can perform a Registry Check on a Program Director. In section VI, noted requirement to record/upload training documentation to the portal and added training exception for individuals who serve certain roles. Revised section VII.A (who must register participants). Expanded section IX to include Program Director availability, separation of minors and adults, and overnight stay requirements. Tweaked language throughout to align with current Program registration process.
January 15, 2022: Policy language moved to new policy on Programs Involving Minors (III.A.6). Broadened the scope of procedures to include training and/or Registry Checks for certain Programs where registration is not required. Included requirements for notification of certain events. Added training requirements for Program Directors. Added sections on Forms, Waivers and Insurance and on Program Staff and Participant Registration. Expanded the Checklist section.
January 1, 2015: Procedures established and effective in support of the University’s policies on Equal Opportunity, Equal Access and Affirmative Action (III.C.2), Anti-Harassment (III.C.1) and Regulations Governing the Use and Assignment of University Facilities (IV.B.1).