Designated Individuals

Any person involved in and assisting with a Youth Program, who has contact with a Youth Participant is a Designed Individual. Examples of Designated Individuals can include University employees, affiliates, student workers, volunteers, contractors, and visitors who assist in Youth Programs. All Designated Individuals must be submitted to the Youth Protection team in the Designated Individual Form at a minimum, 30 days (about 4 and a half weeks) before the event. Completion of these requirements DO NOT mean that a person can be paid, only that they are approved to work with youth. 

Requirements for Designated Individuals  
Any University employees, affiliates, student workers, volunteers, contractors, and visitors (including third party programs) who serve as a Designated Individual in any Youth Program, must first meet the following requirements. 

• Designated Individuals must be 18 years of age or older.
• Designated Individuals must complete the Designated Individual Application through DocuSign.
• Designated Individuals who will interact with Youth Participants during the program must undergo a criminal background check every year, as required by state law. 
• Designated Individuals must complete Sexual Abuse and Child Molestation Awareness training and examination every year. This training must include information and examination concerning warning signs of sexual abuse and child molestation. Designated Individuals must achieve a score of 100% to satisfy this requirement. A Designated Individual will be allowed to repeat the course as needed to pass. The University of Texas System Youth Protection Training module is provided by the University at no cost to the individual.  
• Designated Individuals must complete Campus Security Authority training and examination every year. Designated Individuals must achieve a score of 100% to satisfy this requirement. A Designated Individual will be allowed to repeat the course as needed to pass. The University of Texas System Campus Security Authority Training module is provided by the University at no cost to the individual.
• All Designated Individuals are mandated reporters and must comply with all state laws, reporting to Title IX and Clery offices on campus. 
• Youth Protection team will keep track of requirement completion dates. 

Prohibited Conduct for Designated Individuals  
Designated Individuals working in Youth Programs must not engage in any behavior that could cause harm or be misinterpreted as possibly causing harm. Prohibited conduct for Designated Individuals includes, but is not limited to: 

• No one-on-one contact with Youth Participants is permitted outside the presence of others.
• Do not meet with Youth Participants outside of established times for program activities.
• Do not touch Youth Participants in a manner that a reasonable person could interpret as inappropriate. 
• Do not engage in any abusive conduct of any kind toward, or in the presence of, a Youth Participant, including but not limited to verbal abuse, striking, hitting, punching, poking, spanking, or restraining. 
• Do not shower, bathe, or undress with or in the presence of Youth Participants. 
• Do not use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while working a Youth Program.
• Do not be alone in a vehicle with a Youth Participant at any time. 
• Do not have direct electronic contact with Youth Participants without another Designated Individual and the parent/guardian included in the communication.
  • This includes Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, Skype, online video games, community chat websites, etc.
• Do not make sexual materials (of any kind and in any form) available to Youth Participants participating in programs or assist them in gaining access to such materials.