Training

Training Requirements for Authorized Persons:

University Policy 8.8 requires all faculty, staff, students, and volunteers who participate in Cornell-affiliated youth programs to complete training in the recognition, prevention, response to, and reporting of abuse before interacting with minors.

Authorized persons are expected to understand and follow the information presented in these trainings and to comply with Cornell's Standards of Behavior for Working with Minors.

Required Training Components

Before interacting with minors, all authorized persons must complete the following requirements:

Watch:	Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Sexual Misconduct
Watch:	Boundary Training for Educators
Read and Attest:	The Standards of Behavior for Working with Minors

All required components must be completed and documented before participation in a Cornell-affiliated youth program.

Training Procedures:

Ithaca, Geneva, & Cornell Tech:

Required training is automatically assigned when an authorized persons is added to a youth program in the registration system. Training must be completed annually.

Authorized persons will receive email notifications when they have outstanding requirements and will receive periodic reminders until all requirements have been completed.

An individual is considered compliant only after:

Viewing both training videos; and
Completing the attestation indicating they have read, understand, and agree to follow the Standards of Behavior for Working with Minors.

Please note: Individuals will continue to display a red “Not Compliant” status until all required training components have been completed. Completing only some of the requirements will not result in a compliant status.

In the Ideal-Logic registration system:

A green check mark indicates Compliant
A red X indicates Not Compliant

Individuals who have not completed all required training requirements may not have direct contact with minors in Cornell-affiliated youth programs.

Weill Cornell Medicine-NYC:

Email PathwayProgramIntake@med.cornell.edu for more information.

Third-Party Programs:

Third-party organizations may utilize their own training program, provided it meets the requirements of University Policy 8.8 regarding the recognition, prevention, response to, and reporting of abuse, and the standards of behavior expected when working with minors.

The third-party organization is responsible for ensuring that all individuals with direct contact with minors complete the required training before participating in the program.

Organizations who would like to utilize Cornell's training may email youthprogramadministrator@cornell.edu.

Compliance:

Program directors are responsible for ensuring that all authorized persons assigned to their program have completed required training before interacting with minors.

Training requirements are a condition of participation in Cornell-affiliated youth programs. Individuals who have not completed all required training components may not have direct contact with minors in Cornell-affiliated programs.

Programs found to be in violation of University Policy 8.8 may be subject to delays in program start, removal of authorized persons from positions involving interaction with minors, program cancellation, or loss of future eligibility to operate youth programs. Student organizations found to be noncompliant may also risk the loss of organizational funding and/or recognition from Campus Activities.

Recommended Training for Program Directors:

CYS strongly recommends that program directors complete Protecting Children: Hiring Staff Who Work with Minors. This training provides guidance on developing safe hiring practices and selecting individuals for positions involving interaction with youth.

This training is available through the Ideal-Logic registration system under “Self-Administer Trainings.”

Additional Support for Program Leaders

CYS provides training, consultation, and technical assistance to Cornell colleges, departments, units, student organizations, and program leaders on youth protection topics, including:

Recognizing and Responding to Concerns

Recognizing signs of possible abuse or maltreatment
Responding appropriately to disclosures by youth
Understanding reporting obligations
Incident documentation and reporting procedures

Safe Interactions with Youth

Professional boundaries
Appropriate and inappropriate interactions
One-on-one situations
Electronic communication with minors
Creating a culture of safety and accountability

Supervision and Risk Prevention

Supervision expectations under University Policy 8.8
Identifying and addressing youth protection risks
Staffing and supervision planning
Preventing situations that increase risk to participants or staff

Youth Protection Program Planning

Program registration requirements
Roles and responsibilities under University Policy 8.8
Preparing staff and volunteers
Developing youth protection practices for new programs

Consultation Services

CYS is available to consult with program leaders, departments, units, and student organizations regarding youth protection concerns, program planning, supervision questions, and policy interpretation.