Important Changes to YPT, effective June 1, 2010....

[ThunderingWind]

He said anyone that signs a MB card Must take the course.

And since Consultants to the Venturing Program sign nothing BSA related and only occasionally need to
submit a letter to the Advisor that the Youth completed the requirement(s), they are OK for now.

But I see it coming like a freight train.

[wagionvigil]

MBC must be registered Consultants do not have to be registered.

[RWSmith]

Link to thread about... MyScouting "Help Desk" Telephone Number & Tips.

(I also updated my note about running Google Chrome.)

[wagionvigil]

Bob I am going to lock that. There is no need for any comments
JDC

[RWSmith]

For those who did not receive the June 7, 2010 "Q&A" message from BSA regarding YPT, here it is, verbatim:

June 7, 2010

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA'S YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING POLICIES

Recently, the Boy Scouts of America announced important changes to its Youth Protection policies. The purpose of these changes is to increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting.

Effective June 1, 2010:

• Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers, regardless of their position.
• New leaders are required to take Youth Protection training before submitting an application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time the application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.
• Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer's Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be re-registered.

To find out more about the Youth Protection policies of the Boy Scouts of America and how to help Scouting keep your family safe, see the Parent's Guide in any of the Cub Scouting or Boy Scouting handbooks, or go to http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx.

Questions and Answers

The following are answers to some of the questions we have received about these important changes. To read more, visit http://www.scouting.org/youthprotection.

Q1: When does the change go into effect?
A1: As of June 1, 2010, all registered adult volunteers--no matter what their position entails--must complete Youth Protection training prior to beginning their volunteer service.

Q2: Why a new training policy on such short notice?
A2: Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the Boy Scouts of America. It is important to implement this training at all levels of the organization. The BSA is always reevaluating and reassessing its policies to ensure the safest youth program and the best training are offered. The BSA's Youth Protection training has been in existence long enough for it to be understood and accepted as a mandated training for all registered BSA adult volunteers.

Q3: What is the deadline to meet the new Youth Protection training standard?
A3: All registered leaders should take or renew their Youth Protection training so that it is current as of today. A unit will not be able to recharter without its key registered adults being up-to-date on their Youth Protection training. No individual leader will be able to register without being up-to-date on his or her Youth Protection training.

Q4: Is there a grace period to get all adults trained?
A4: No. If a leader's Youth Protection training is not current, the volunteer must take or renew this training immediately. Every effort should be taken so that all adults involved in Scouting have a current certificate of completion of the Youth Protection training.

Q5: Will the system be able to handle the overload of people taking training at the last minute?
A5: The system platform that houses e-learning is expected to be able to handle
the high volume.

Q6: Does "all volunteers" mean all volunteers -- even board members and council presidents?
A6: Yes. The goal is to have all registered volunteers Youth Protection-trained. This is an important statement for the Boy Scouts of America as a youth organization and reinforces the BSA's commitment to the well-being of all youth members and volunteers.

Q7: I am sure I know all there is to know about youth protection. Can I "test out" by only taking the Youth Protection online quiz?
A7: No. You must complete the entire online training in order for your Youth Protection certificate to be valid. This ensures you receive the latest information on BSA Youth Protection.

Important: Please note that the quiz has been removed from the e-Learning Center because the content did not reflect the new changes in Youth Protection policy.

Q8: Does the executive officer (institutional head) of a unit need to take Youth Protection training?
A8: If the executive officer is not a registered leader, he or she is not required to complete Youth Protection training, although it is strongly recommended. If the executive officer is a registered member of the BSA, then he or she must complete Youth Protection training.

Q9: I am a Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent. Do I need to take Youth Protection training?
A9: The Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent designations are not registered adult positions; therefore, mandatory Youth Protection training is not required. It is strongly recommended, however, that all adults involved in Scouting take Youth Protection training. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection training.

Q10: I am an Explorer post Advisor. Does this new policy apply to me?
A10: Yes. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection training.

Q11: The new policy indicates that a Youth Protection certificate of completion must be submitted "at the time of application." What does that mean?
A11: A BSA application should be collected from a prospective leader only with the fully completed form, with a copy of the individual's Youth Protection certificate of completion. Both documents should be submitted together to the council service center.

Q12: Do leaders need to wait until they have final clearance on the background check to meet with youth?
A12: No. As long as their application is fully completed, submitted to the council service center, and approved, their fee is paid, and their Youth Protection training has been received by and acknowledged by the council, they will be able to interact with youth members while the criminal background check (CBC) is still pending.

Q13: Do merit badge counselors need to take Youth Protection training?
A13: Yes. A merit badge counselor is a registered volunteer position.

Q14: Can units that have some adult leaders who have not completed Youth Protection training be rechartered?
A14: In order for a unit to be rechartered, it must have all the required positions filled with Youth Protection-trained adults. Adults who do not have current (within the past two years) Youth Protection training will not be reregistered.

Q15: Will the new adult applications have this information?
A15: Yes. All new applications will reflect these changes.

Q16: Can a council or district organize Youth Protection group training for its adults?
A16: Yes. It is encouraged that adults take the training via the online module, but the instructor-led model is still acceptable as long as the most current version of the Youth Protection DVD (item No. 610327 or 36121) is used and the end-of-course quiz is proctored by the trainer at the end of the training session. Reminder: It is critical that training completion certificates be issued after successful completion and that a formal training record roster be submitted to the council registrar so proper credit can be recorded in the profiles of each participant.

Q17: Will both the regular and Venturing leader versions of Youth Protection training meet the requirement?
A17: Yes, as long as the most current versions of the DVDs are used for group training. The online version is the preferred method, as it allows for those taking the training to get one-on-one training and take all the time they need for review. The individual is issued an immediate certificate of completion, which allows for the updating of the volunteer's ScoutNet record.

Q18: If a person is not a registered leader, how can he or she log in and take the Youth Protection training?
A18: A person does not have to be a registered volunteer to take Youth Protection training. To take the training, log in to http://www.myscouting.org and click on create an account. After you have confirmed your new myscouting account user name and password, log in to myscouting.org and click on e-training to begin the Youth Protection training. Upon completion, print a certificate to submit with a completed adult leader application to the unit leader or your local council representative for processing. Remember to keep a copy for your records.

Once the application is approved, the new leader will receive his or her membership card with their member ID. It is important that new members log back in to http://www.myscouting.org and update their profile with this member ID to receive credit for completing this and any other training.

Providing you with clear and helpful information is a priority If you have additional questions, please contact your council or please let us know by sending your questions to youthprotection@scouting.org. We will review all inquires and post updates to http://www.scouting.org/youthprotection.

[FrankJ]

Q7: I am sure I know all there is to know about youth protection. Can I "test out" by only taking the Youth Protection online quiz?
A7: No. You must complete the entire online training in order for your Youth Protection certificate to be valid. This ensures you receive the latest information on BSA Youth Protection.

Important: Please note that the quiz has been removed from the e-Learning Center because the content did not reflect the new changes in Youth Protection policy.

This is a serious question & may be an issue. Large numbers of people have that took the in person YPT and were referred to the web site to take the quiz & get their certificate. Now do they need to retake the training? The quiz & quiz certificate have been removed from the training web site. The YPT facilitators guide still refers you to the online quiz. This is what drives people nuts. Not the requiring people to be trained.

[wagionvigil]

Just came from the Area Meeting. YPT was discussed quite a bit. From what was said there is no option. If you are in contact with youth in the BSA you MUST take YPT. This will also apply to outfitters that scouts use for Merit Badges IE: Climbing, Whitewater etc

[smtroop168]

Are they going to also have to have Safety Afloat, Trek Safely, Climb on Safely, Hazardous Weather?

Will all their employees have to wear a "Trained" patch?

[ThunderingWind]

Just came from the Area Meeting. YPT was discussed quite a bit. From what was said there is no option. If you are in contact with youth in the BSA you MUST take YPT. This will also apply to outfitters that scouts use for Merit Badges IE: Climbing, Whitewater etc

What about the guy delivering the milk to summer camp?

Sorry if this smart-alecky but when the BSA starts requiring vendors to take YPT, we have started down
a slippery slope that the "ambulance chasing" type lawyers herded us towards by yelling "fire" in the theatre.

I undertand the theory behing it but the practical application there of is not going to go well.

[wagionvigil]

This is not going to be a discussion type item according to National. BSA is giving them the permission to be MB a counselor if they sign cards they WILL take the course. I have everyone at the cave taking it and management is all for it. Only MB counselors have to fill out new applications and submit them. The problem I see is say a "Water SPorts" one person signs all the cards but actually never works with the kids they have " staff" do it. This may be something that will have to stop. AT the National Meeting all the Area directors and Scout execs there were called to a meeting on Friday Morning. YPT was the topic and when presented they were told this goes into affect on Monday. We were told an example Say the CEO of PNC bank is on your executive board he Maybe attends one meeting a year. He will take it or no longer be registered.

Ed, it is the registered people and Now all MB councelors MUST fill out an application. Say a raft guide never does MB then as of now they would not need to take it. But ya never know when you get lawyers involved.

[FrankJ]

To sign a merit badge card=MBC=Registered Leader=YPT required. Easy for BSA to control since you cannot register without the training. Once the kinks are worked out, it will be a good system. BSA summer camp, staff are registered with the BSA so they will be YPT. I believe this was already part of their training so not really a change. Employees of contract services to camps such as food service, riding or rafting is another issue that I imagine that will be dealt with by the appropriate people. Employees of commercial operations such as ski slopes, dive shops, USS Lexington, commercial caves, etc may or not have training, but if you are on an outing, you will have two deep leadership that has YPT that will be responsible for YP. What we should be doing anyway.

[smtroop168]

The theory is sound. The execution is not. What will be the QA on the non registered BSA personnel at these outfitter type organizations to make sure they have the training? Do the unit leaders ask to see their cards before they make their deposits for their trips?

How about the scouts that are under 18 that are on camp staffs? Do we start having all scouts take YPT?

Has the Jamboree powers that be ensured all their staff has completed YPT?

[ThunderingWind]

The theory is sound. The execution is not. What will be the QA on the non registered BSA personnel at these outfitter type organizations to make sure they have the training? Do the unit leaders ask to see their cards before they make their deposits for their trips?

How about the scouts that are under 18 that are on camp staffs? Do we start having all scouts take YPT?

Has the Jamboree powers that be ensured all their staff has completed YPT?

I know one Coast Guard person that is working the Jamboree that is not currently registered with the BSA and therefore not YPT trained.

Should they get the training?

[smtroop168]

The theory is sound. The execution is not. What will be the QA on the non registered BSA personnel at these outfitter type organizations to make sure they have the training? Do the unit leaders ask to see their cards before they make their deposits for their trips?

How about the scouts that are under 18 that are on camp staffs? Do we start having all scouts take YPT?

Has the Jamboree powers that be ensured all their staff has completed YPT?

I know one Coast Guard person that is working the Jamboree that is not currently registered with the BSA and therefore not YPT trained.

Should they get the training?

Based on Wagion's info I would say yes.

[ThunderingWind]

Based on Wagion's info I would say yes.

But will they is the question?

Not that the person I know would refuse but he told me nothing has come across his desk. He works
at the CG HQ here in DC. And he is an Eagle Scout (which is why he was selected to go to A.P. Hill).

as they say....just wondering out loud.....

[wagionvigil]

I am sure BSA will let them know what they need. First they are not staying on site, second they are not BSA Registered. The key word is Registered. What it says is all registered members of the BSA must take it. That includes Merit Badge Counselors as they must submit an adult application with their Merit Badge counselor application.

[FrankJ]

The ACA (American Camp Association) an independent org that most Boy Scout camps are accredited through requires YPT for staff. (Not specifically the BSA one) So the Boy Scout Camps that I am acquainted with runs the staff through it as a matter of course.

Staff ages involve a bit of quirkiness. You have 21+, 18-20, & 14-17. Who can be with how depends if you are using boy scout or venturing age guidelines. I am sure camps have thought this out, but I do not know the answer.

As for non registered consultants, You might require it, but it would be just about impossible track it. Anyway go back and read Q6 & Q9.

[smtroop168]

The ACA (American Camp Association) an independent org that most Boy Scout camps are accredited through requires YPT for staff. (Not specifically the BSA one) So the Boy Scout Camps that I am acquainted with runs the staff through it as a matter of course.

Staff ages involve a bit of quirkiness. You have 21+, 18-20, & 14-17. Who can be with how depends if you are using boy scout or venturing age guidelines. I am sure camps have thought this out, but I do not know the answer.

As for non registered consultants, You might require it, but it would be just about impossible track it. Anyway go back and read Q6 & Q9.

So back to what Jerry was told at the Area meeting and was saying about outfitters....do all the employees at the Cave etc have to to take YPT if they are not registered?

[smtroop168]

I am sure BSA will let them know what they need.

You are too funny

[FrankJ]

So back to what Jerry was told at the Area meeting and was saying about outfitters....do all the employees at the Cave etc have to to take YPT if they are not registered?

My understanding is in general, no. Only the specific individuals that are registered merit badge counselors will be required to be trained. If they are contracted by a scout camp as part of a camp activity? That is a bridge for the camp to cross.

I wonder what will be the policy for situations like Seabase where they contract to owners of boats & Seabase is pretty much just acting as a travel agent.