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Participant Feedback and Reporting Concerns

Program directors are responsible for ensuring that participants and their families know how to ask questions, provide feedback, and report concerns during program operations. Programs should establish clear reporting pathways and communicate them before the program begins.

Participants and families should be provided with contact information for both the program director and CYS. This information should be included in registration materials, welcome packets, participant handbooks, program websites, and other participant communications, as appropriate.

Recommended Language:

“If my child or I have concerns about anything that occurs during this program, the program director can be reached at (phone number/email). If you are uncomfortable contacting the program director, or if that person is unavailable, Cornell University’s Youth Protection team can be reached at 607-255-9062.” 

Communication Expectations

Program directors should:

  • Provide participants and families with more than one way to report concerns.
  • Share reporting information before the program and during program orientation.
  • Encourage participants to speak up if they have safety concerns or experience inappropriate behavior.
  • Respond promptly to questions, concerns, and feedback.
  • Ensure participants understand that retaliation for raising a concern is prohibited.

Additional Resources

Additional information is available in the Message to Parents and Guardians resource. Programs should include reporting information in the program’s registration materials, welcome packets, participant handbooks, or other participant communications.