The Boy Scouts of America have released a fully updated Youth Protection Training to further strengthen our ability to protect youth.
Some of the changes include:
- Updated Youth Protection Training, including insights from experts and survivors and the latest strategies for recognizing and preventing major forms of abuse. This is the designated Youth Protection Training for all adults. All volunteers must take the new training by October 1, 2018, no matter when they took the previous training.
- An expanded ScoutsFirst Helpline to aid volunteers and families in addressing potentially dangerous situations.
- Unlimited counseling and support for healing to anyone who has ever been abused in Scouting.
- Youth Protection Training for youth members available in 2019.
This updated training is in addition to previously announced policy changes to ensure compliance with mandatory training requirements, including:
- As of January 1, 2018, no new leader can be registered without first completing youth protection training.
- As of January 1, 2018, no council, regional, or national leader will be allowed to renew their registration if they are not current on their Youth Protection Training.
- As of September 1, 2017, no unit may re-charter without all leaders being current on their Youth Protection Training. Registrars no longer have the ability to approve charters without full compliance.
- Effective June 1, 2018, adults accompanying a Scouting unit who are present at the activity for 72 total hours or more must be registered as a leader, including completion of a criminal background check and Youth Protection Training. The 72 hours need not be consecutive.
As an advocate and champion for youth protection in Scouting movement, I encourage you to watch the video, become familiar with the resource documents, take the training and spread the word.
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