University Standards for Interacting with Youth

Establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with youth.

What this means:

• Set clear, respectful limits that ensure interactions remain focused on the youth’s development and well-being while maintaining a professional demeanor. Keep the relationship focused on professional objectives, avoiding personal or inappropriate involvement.

Tips:

• Limit Personal Information: Share only what’s necessary and relevant to the professional relationship. Avoid sharing details that could blur the lines between professional and personal relationships
• Consistent Availability: Clearly define your working hours and stick to them. Let the youth know when you are available and when you are not.
• Professional Conduct: Maintain a respectful and professional demeanor in all interactions. This includes using appropriate language, respecting confidentiality, and avoiding any form of favoritism. Avoid becoming too informal or overly familiar.
• Balance Empathy and Objectivity: Show care and support without becoming overly involved or creating dependency. Use clear and kind language to communicate your expectations.
• Maintain boundaries: If a youth oversteps a boundary, promptly address the issue and clarify the importance of maintaining that limit.

Understand and respect the personal boundaries set by youth.

What this means:

• Recognize youth’s need for privacy, autonomy, and respect. Pay attention to what youth say and how they feel. Allow youth to set physical boundaries to give them agency over their personal space.

Tips:

• Encourage open dialogue where youth feel comfortable expressing their needs and boundaries. Ask questions and listen without judgment.
• Pay attention to non-verbal cues and facial expressions. These can often indicate discomfort or the need for space.
• Discuss and agree on boundaries together to ensure that everyone understands and respects each other’s limits.
• Allow youth to make their own choices whenever possible. This fosters independence and shows that you trust their judgment.
• Respect the privacy of youth and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrate healthy physical and personal boundaries by refraining from initiating physical contact.

All contact with youth must be observable and interruptible, and whenever possible include at least one other authorized personnel.

What this means:

• Protect youth, and yourself, by making sure that all interactions, whether in person or electronic, are observable and interruptible. Whenever possible engage in contact with youth with more than one authorized personnel present.
• “Observable” means that other personnel can view and observe the interaction taking place. “Interruptible” means that an interaction can be interrupted as needed, i.e., the physical or virtual location is known and accessible by another personnel. Take measures to ensure that your activity is sufficiently set up to meet this expectation.

Tips:

• Whenever possible, arrange group counseling, mentoring, or tutoring sessions to ensure multiple participants and observers are present.
• When one-on-one contact with youth is necessary and appropriate for the activity (e.g., counseling, tutoring, mentoring):
  • Hold in-person meetings in areas that are open and accessible, such as common spaces or centrally located rooms with windows or open doors to ensure activities are visible to other personnel.
  • Meet during regular business hours to ensure other personnel are in the area.
  • Use only University (not personal) accounts and phone numbers for all electronic contact via calls, texts, Google, Zoom, Teams, Slack, etc. These accounts allow supervisors to monitor and review activity records.
  • Set up virtual meetings with a co-host so a supervisor or other personnel can interrupt or join as needed.
  • If a youth contacts you via your personal contact information, including a personal social media account, do not engage with them and disclose this to a supervisor.

All contact with youth must align with the activity’s stated scope or purpose. Physical contact must have a clear and appropriate purpose and be consented to by the minor and the parent or guardian.

What this means:

• Make sure that your interactions with youth stay focused on the activity goals and related tasks. Limit physical contact with youth to only necessary and appropriate instances within the context of the activity.

Tips:

• If youth seek guidance on topics (e.g., related to their personal life) that are outside the scope of your program, reiterate the limits of your role and refer them to more appropriate resources as necessary.
• Consult activity-specific guidance (i.e., refer to a personnel handbook or ask a supervisor) regarding what physical contact is allowable.
• Introduce physical contact limits at the beginning of an activity, e.g., as part of establishing group engagement expectations.
• Be ready to respond appropriately if a youth initiates inappropriate physical contact. Respectfully inform the youth about the University’s guidelines for appropriate physical contact and offer alternative forms of interaction that align with the activity’s boundaries and expectations.

Uphold professional boundaries by using only University-sponsored accounts to contact youth.

What this means:

• Use only organizational (not personal) accounts and phone numbers for all electronic contact via calls, texts, Google, Zoom, Teams, Slack, etc. This allows for supervisory review of activity records, ensuring that all communications and interactions are monitored to protect both youth, and yourself, from perceived or actual misconduct.

Tips:

• Use only UW email (@uw.edu / washington.edu) accounts to contact youth.
• Whenever possible, include another personnel on communications with youth.
• Whenever possible, use shared University accounts that multiple personnel can access for communications with youth.
• Use only activity-sponsored organizational accounts for social media encounters; do not use a personal social media account.

Do not have contact with youth where you cannot be observed and interrupted, or without another authorized personnel present.

What this means:

• Private, unmonitored contact with youth is prohibited.

Tips:

• Whenever possible, arrange group counseling or mentoring sessions to ensure multiple participants and observers are present.
• When one-on-one contact with youth is necessary and appropriate for the activity (e.g., counseling, tutoring, mentoring):
  • Hold in-person meetings in areas that are open and accessible, such as common spaces or designated rooms with windows or open doors to ensure activities are visible to other personnel.
  • Meet during regular business hours to ensure other personnel are in the area.
  • Use University accounts for all electronic communications, including calls, texts, Google, Zoom, Teams, and Slack. These accounts allow supervisors to monitor and review activity records.
  • Set up virtual meetings with a co-host so a supervisor or other personnel can interrupt or join as needed.
  • If a youth contacts you via your personal contact information, including a personal social media account, do not engage with them and disclose this to a supervisor.

Do not engage in purposeful contact with youth outside of approved activities.

What this means:

• Contact with youth in non-activity settings or contact for purposes beyond the parameters of the activity is prohibited. This includes online or in person interactions.

Tips:

• If you are personally contacted by a youth outside of the activity or via your personal contact information, including a personal social media account, notify a supervisor and do not engage with the youth directly.
• If you encounter a youth in a non-activity setting, maintain your professional boundaries.
• If a youth invites you to an activity or event, respectfully decline to attend.

Do not engage in physical contact with youth beyond the stated purpose of the activity.

What this means:

• Limit physical contact with youth to only necessary and appropriate instances within the context of the activity to protect youth, and yourself, from potential misunderstanding or harm.

Tips:

• Consult activity-specific guidance (i.e., refer to a personnel handbook or ask a supervisor) regarding what physical contact is allowable.
• Introduce physical contact limits at the beginning of an activity, e.g., as part of establishing group engagement expectations.
• Be ready to respond appropriately if a youth initiates inappropriate physical contact. Respectfully inform the youth about the university’s guidelines for appropriate physical contact and offer alternative forms of interaction that align with the activity’s boundaries and expectations.

Do not shower, bathe, or undress in the presence of youth.

What this means:

• When an activity requires use of a locker room, showers, or changing clothes, personnel must do so separately from youth. This respects the personal privacy of both youth and adults, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and secure.

Tips:

• Ensure that separate changing or shower locations are arranged in advance.

Do not collect or use youth’s personal data, including but not limited to, personally identifying information, images and work products, unless explicitly approved by the activity and with all requisite consents in place.

What this means:

• Do not take photos or video recordings of youth unless you are directed to do so for the purpose of the activity.
• Do not take work products, assignments, artwork, or other materials created by youth during an activity for your personal use or any use other than what is allowed by the activity.

Tips:

• If instructed by the activity lead to take photos or videos of youth, make sure to include only those with signed consent.
• Never use your own personal devices to take photos or video recordings of youth.
• Do not record or take screen captures of youth during virtual meetings unless directed to do so by the activity lead and signed consents are in place.

Do not engage in sexually explicit conversations with youth.

What this means:

• Personnel must not share personal sexual information nor discuss sexually explicit topics with youth. Conversations with youth should remain appropriate and professional, focusing on the activity or subject at hand. If a youth attempts to initiate a sexually explicit conversation, you must redirect the discussion to a suitable topic and inform a supervisor.

The safety of youth must be your primary concern above all others.

What this means:

• Ensure youth in your care are safe by following supervision and safety guidelines at all times.

Tips:

• In your daily activities and ongoing interactions, ensure that safety is always top of mind.
• Perform safety checks periodically during an activity. Ask yourself: Is everyone present? Are there hazards in the environment? Does everyone appear healthy and safe?
• Immediately notify a supervisor about any safety concerns. Never discount a potential safety issue.

Use positive discipline techniques and developmentally appropriate actions and language with youth.

What this means:

• Ensure that your actions and language are understandable by youth, recognizing that the way they receive information will vary based on life experience and maturity. When correcting youth behavior, use age-appropriate strategies that demonstrate desired behaviors and actions instead of focusing on mistakes.

Tips

• Address specific behaviors; avoid personalizing the behaviors, e.g., “You have interrupted many times,” not, “you are being rude.”
• Choose a disciplinary strategy that will have the intended impact of replacing harmful or disruptive behaviors with appropriate behaviors.

Educate youth in an age-appropriate manner about setting their own personal boundaries.

What this means:

• Examples of personal boundaries include limits on sharing personal information, personal feelings, or physical contact. Teach youth how to understand and communicate their limits and comfort levels in different situations. Youth should never be made to feel ashamed for setting a boundary or limit.

Tips:

• Present the activity’s elements and expectations clearly and give youth the space to ask questions or bring up any concerns.
• Identify parts of an activity (e.g., games, assignments, discussions) where youth might have different comfort levels – proactively offer options and let them set their own limits as they feel comfortable.
• In group settings, use community agreements to educate and discuss the importance of personal boundaries.
• Understand that boundaries may change over time. Periodically check in with youth to see if their boundaries have changed and if they feel respected.

Create an atmosphere where youth feel empowered to tell adults about any boundary violations, harm, or uncomfortable situations they experience or observe.

What this means:

• Cultivate a supportive and trusting atmosphere where youth know their concerns will be taken seriously and addressed appropriately by encouraging youth to speak up and reassuring them that they did the right thing by sharing their concerns with you. Ensure that concerns are fully addressed; seek support as needed.

Tips:

• Establish strong, positive relationships with youth. Show genuine interest and listen actively to their concerns.
• Ensure there are safe spaces where youth can talk without fear of judgment or repercussions.
• Encourage youth to voice their concerns by actively soliciting feedback and setting aside dedicated times for personnel to listen.
• Empower youth by providing them with choices and control whenever possible while addressing their concerns.

Notify the Youth Protection Coordinator of any violations of the University Standards for Interacting with Youth.

What this means:

• Personnel must notify the Youth Protection Coordinator if you see another personnel violate these conduct standards. A violation, or “behavior of concern” is defined as an apparent disregard for a conduct standard that has the potential to cause youth harm.

Tips:

• Refer to this resource on Addressing Unsafe behaviors and Behaviors of Concern.
• Contact the Youth Protection Coordinator or your supervisor with any questions.

Report any suspected abuse or neglect of a youth to authorities per University policy requirements.

What this means:

• If you observe or learn anything that makes you suspect a youth has been abused, neglected, or is at imminent risk of serious harm, you must take action. This includes reporting your concerns to the appropriate authorities as outlined in the University’s policies.

Tips:

• More information on definitions of abuse and reporting procedures can be found on the report abuse website.
• Contact the Youth Protection Coordinator or your supervisor with any questions.

Follow all University transportation procedures for transporting youth.

What this means:

• Follow all University policies and procedures to ensure safe transportation of youth to remote off-campus locations. Use only University owned and insured vehicles, or other commercially operated vehicles, or public modes of transportation.

Tips:

• Refer to the UW Vehicle Rental (UCAR) website for information on how to rent UW owned vehicles.
• Remember that interactions with youth in a vehicle must be observable and interruptible or have another authorized personnel present.

Never engage in abusive conduct, including conduct that could be perceived as harmful or abusive.

What this means:

• Abusive conduct is prohibited, regardless of whether the target is a youth or someone else, or whether the behavior is intentionally abusive or perceived as such. The negative impact and resulting trauma may still be felt by a youth. Abusive conduct is a behavior that harms an individual, either physically or emotionally. Examples may include verbal abuse, physical punishment, intimidation, shaming, bullying, harassment, hazing, stalking, exploitation, or withholding basic needs.

Never expose youth to sexually explicit material or content.

What this means:

• Personnel must never possess, view, or show sexually explicit material or content to youth, whether online or in person. Sexually explicit content includes any detailed or graphic depictions of sexual acts, nudity, or other sexual themes.

Tips:

• Make sure that any sexually explicit content on your personal device, e.g., phone, tablet, laptop, etc., is never accessible to youth.
• During virtual meetings, ensure that your surroundings and screen content are appropriate when on camera or screen sharing.

Never engage in sexual contact of any kind with youth, including contact that could be perceived as sexual in nature.

What this means:

• Sexual contact of any kind with youth is strictly prohibited. This includes any behavior that a youth might perceive as sexual. Sexual contact encompasses any touching of intimate parts, either directly or through clothing, as well as sharing sexually explicit content or materials.
• Avoid any inappropriate contact with youth that could be perceived as sexual, for example:
  • Massaging, hugging, tickling.
  • Invading personal space.
  • Touching without consent.
  • Making inappropriate sexual remarks or jokes.

Never date or become romantically involved with youth.

What this means:

• Personnel are prohibited from having any type of dating, sexual, or romantic relationship with youth. This includes flirting , expressions of romantic personal feelings, or romantic overtures.

Tips:

• If a youth appears to be initiating this kind of relationship, e.g., they are flirting or sharing their feelings of wanting to date, you must immediately disclose this to a supervisor and take immediate actions to set a clear professional boundary.

Never possess, sell, use, or be under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, or illegal or mind-altering drugs during the activity or while in contact with youth.

What this means:

• You must not be under the influence of the substances listed above during an activity, or while in contact with youth. Further, you must not bring any of these substances onto the premises of the youth activity.

Never bring or carry a weapon into the activity location.

What this means:

• Any device that can be used as a weapon, including firearms, knives, or tasers, must never be brought onto the premises of a youth activity, whether on your person or in your belongings.

Do not transport youth in a personal vehicle.

What this means:

• Transporting youth in a personal vehicle is not allowed. Doing so places the risk responsibility on an individual’s personal insurance, and the driver will be responsible for an accident or injury.

Tips:

• Refer to the UW Vehicle Rental (UCAR) website for information on how to rent UW owned vehicles.
• Remember that you must not have private unmonitored contact with youth, i.e., be alone in a vehicle with youth. Plan ahead so you have adequate authorized personnel coverage when traveling.

Treat all youth equitably and fairly.

What this means:

• Create a positive and supportive environment by providing each person with what they need to be successful and feel included.

Tips:

• Plan your activity so that each youth has an equal opportunity to engage and participate.
• Provide a clear explanation for how you organize youth in group settings to ensure the methods are equitable and fair.
• Ask yourself – have you gotten to know a particular youth more than others in the group? If so, make a concerted effort to spread your attention and curiosity around to connect equally with all youth.
• Be observant and sensitive to situations where youth may appear to be uncomfortable or having difficulty participating.

Proactively address harassment, bullying, and any other inappropriate conduct among youth.

What this means:

• Don’t wait for a youth to report inappropriate conduct. Observe and look for warning signs of bullying and harassment and address them immediately.

Tips:

• Address behaviors as soon as you become aware of them.
• Prompt intervention improves the outcomes for all parties and creates opportunities to learn, correct, heal and move forward.
• Consult activity-specific guidance (i.e., refer to a personnel handbook or ask a supervisor) to understand how you should address bullying, harassment, or inappropriate conduct between youth.
• Address lower-level behaviors that can be indicators, or precursors to bullying and harassment. Examples might include teasing or exclusion of a youth by their peers.
• Create and regularly remind youth of group commitments to respectful treatment.

Immediately disclose to the activity lead any gift you receive from a youth or their family.

What this means:

• Tell your activity lead about any gifts received in order to maintain transparency and trust, and to prevent potential conflicts of interest or perceptions of favoritism. This practice ensures that all interactions remain professional and ethical, fostering a fair and respectful environment for everyone involved.

Tips:

• Consult activity-specific guidance (i.e., refer to a personnel handbook or ask a supervisor) to understand what types of gifts from a youth or their parent/guardian must be refused.
• If you receive a gift from a youth or their parent/guardian that is not allowed by the activity guidelines, politely let them know that you appreciate the kindness, but that you aren’t allowed to receive such gifts.
• Request further assistance from a supervisor on how to address ongoing or persistent gift giving from a youth or family.

Immediately disclose to the activity lead any pre-existing relationships you have with youth in the activity. Abide by the University Standards for Interacting with Youth despite any pre-existing personal relationships.

What this means:

• Disclose any pre-existing acquaintances or relationships you have with a youth participant. Maintain professionalism regardless of personal relationships.

Tips:

• Tell your supervisor in writing if you have any type of pre-existing relationship with a youth participant, such as a family relationship, family friends, younger sibling of a classmate or friend, or if you’ve worked in another program where they were a participant.
• Ask your supervisor for guidance on how to maintain professionalism with youth you know personally.

Do not discriminate against a youth based on their sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, culture, place of birth, age, class, ability, health, citizenship, language, or other identities.

What this means:

• Discrimination, or treating youth preferentially or unfavorably based on a personal identity, is not tolerated at UW.

Tips:

• Everyone has biases based on individual backgrounds and experiences. Be aware of your own biases and interact with intention and humility.
• Use inclusive language; celebrate differences and individuality; acknowledge everyone’s common humanity.
• Take the time to periodically check your own biases. For example, consider whether you would respond to a behavior in the same way if it were being acted out by a youth with a different identity.

Do not give gifts to youth or their families outside of what is authorized by activity policies.

What this means:

• A gift is any item given to a participant or their family that they will not be required to return. This can include program resources, materials, awards, or giveaways. You may not give these kinds of resources to a youth, unless it is approved for the activity in order to ensure that gifts are given equitably to all youth.

Tips:

• Communicate proactively about any gifts being sent home to youth or their families. Explain the purpose and relevance to the activity.

Violations of the Standards for Interacting with Youth:

• If you believe a personnel member involved in a UW youth activity has violated the University Standards for Interacting with Youth, you must notify the Youth Protection Coordinator within 48 hours.
  • Information to provide (if known):
    • Specific behaviors of concern and any concerns for youth safety or well-being.
    • People involved, date, time, and location of the event(s).
    • Name of the youth activity and activity leader.
• If you are unsure whether someone’s behavior is a violation of the standards, consult with your supervisor or the Office of the Youth Protection Coordinator for further guidance.

Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect:

• As a University of Washington employee or volunteer, you are also required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the authorities, as outlined in Executive Order 56. For additional information on these reporting requirements, review the EO 56 FAQs or contact the Office of the Youth Protection Coordinator.

The University of Washington takes violations of the Standards for Interacting with Youth seriously and University policies and procedures for corrective action will be followed.