Training Overview:
All program staff, including volunteers, who will have direct contact with minors and all Program/Activity Approving Officials must undergo three required trainings on 1) their role as a mandatory reporter, 2) the University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and the Board of Regents Sexual Misconduct Policy, and 3) completion of a Staff Code of Conduct. Required training should at a minimum be completed every two years.
Additionally, Program Administrators are responsible for developing program-specific trainings at a level appropriate to the program/activity; program-specific training should cover safety and security protocols to include emergency procedure response, first aid guidelies and medication management, behavior management and discipline, accountability and supervision, notification and reporting requirements, and activities, risks, and responsibilities of the program and staff responsibilities.
New: The UGA protection of minors training required for all staff has moved to PEP from eLC. Any UGA employee or student who needs to complete this training can access it here: UGA Protection of Minors Training. Staff should provide their completion certificate to their Program Administrator for proof of completion and records retention purposes. Third party and any other non-UGA affiliated staff can access the training in eLC. For assistance for non-UGA staff contact the Director of Compliance at programsforminors@uga.edu.
Minors in Labs: An ancillary policy for minors protection has been implemented. The Policy on Minors (not Acting as Students/Employees) in Research Laboratories, Clinics, and Animal Facilities aims to ensure the safety and security of minors by designating when they will be allowed to perform research in University laboratories, greenhouses, clinic areas, or animal facilities. All employees who work with minors in laboratory settings need to review and follow this policy.
Training Opportunities:
The Director of Compliance is available to provide training sessions on the policy to university units. If you would like to schedule a training on the policy, contact us at programsforminors@uga.edu.
Policy Overview Training: Sessions will be offered in the Fall of 2026 to provide an overview of the protection of minors Policy, "Protecting Minors on Campus: An Overview of the University Policy and Best Practices for Safe Programs". Once sessions are planned, you can register with Learning & Development at the UGA Protection of Minors Overview.
Online Resources to Complete Required Training:
Training may be accomplished through a variety of methods, including in person training or via the online trainings.
Online trainings for Mandatory Reporting, the University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and the Board of Regents Sexual Misconduct Policy, and the UGA Staff Code of Conduct for UGA programs and programs taking place on UGA properties are accessed through UGA’s Professional Education Portal.
To access these online trainings, follow the directions below:
1. If you are an individual who will be working with a minors program or activity, go to UGA Protection of Minors Training to access the online training. On the page you will need to click "Request" in the top right corner to launch the training. Once you have completed the training provide the certificate of completion to your Program/Activity Administrator.
2. If you are a UGA Program/Activity Administrator, share the link with all of your staff who need to complete the training. You can assign the training in PEP but only to your direct UGA reports. All others can just access the training directly via the PEP link. Retain certificates of completion for all staff in accordance with Records Retention Schedule requirements. Contact the Director of Compliance at programsforminors@uga.edu if you need any assistance.
3. If you are a third party Program/Activity Administrator or have non-UGA affiliated staff working with your Program/Activity, you will need to contact the Director of Compliance at programsforminors@uga.edu for assistance.
If you have any issues with the training modules, contact the Director of Compliance at programsforminors@uga.edu for assistance.
Additional Training Resources:
Guidance Documents: These documents provide guidance on Program/Activity planning and safe operations. Program Administrators and staff should review these documents to ensure safe operations.
1. UGA Programs Serving Minors Information Sheet: This guide reviews the required steps to be in compliance with the UGA Programs Serving Minors Policy: Information Sheet
2. Best Practices Guide: This guide covers a variety of areas to help with planning and safe operations of Programs/Activities: Best Practices Guide
3. Two-Adult Rule Guidelines: The Two-Adult Rule ensures the safety of both minors and Program/Activity Staff. This document provides details for your Program/Activity on the Rule: Two-Adult Rule Guidelines
4. Youth Mental Health Support Guide: This guide provides information on assisitng a minor going through a mental health issue while at a minors program: Youth Mental Health Support Guide
5. Missing Minors Guide: This document provides instruction on steps to take if a minor is found to be missing from a program: Missing Minors Guide
Program/Activity Sample Documents: These documents are samples of operational guides to assist Program/Activity Administrators and staff in safely managing operations.
- Injury and Incident Reporting Form: This form can be used to record injuries or incidents during Program/Activiity operations: Injury and Incident Reporting Form
- Sample Staff Manual: This is an example of a staff manual that can be used to prepare an operational manual for your Program/Activity: Staff Manual
- Medication Best Practices: This provides an overview of the best practices to handling medication during a Program/Activity: Medication Best Practices
- Sample Medication Policy: This is an example of a Program/Activity policy on handling medication: Medication Policy
- Sample Medication Administration Record: This is an example of a form to record medication taken during a Program/Activity: Medication Administration Record