Training:
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.
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.
Important: A Guide for Best Practices has been created. This guide is designed for minors program leaders and their staff to provide information on several key planning and operational areas including Medical and First Aid, Safety and Security, and Residential Programs. The Guide is available here: Best Practices Guide.
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.
Camp Director Training: Camp Director training will be offered in February 2026. The intended audience is camp directors and their senior staff. The training will cover key planning and operational areas critical for camp success. There will be an in person session offered on Monday, February 9th, at 2:00pm and an online session on Thursday, February 26th, at 10:00am. Directors can e-mail programsforminors@uga.edu to let us know which session they will attend and who will attend.
Policy Overview Training: Sessions will be offered in the Spring 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". An online session will be offered on Tuesday, March 17th at 10:00am; and an in person session will be offered on Wednesday, April 15th at 2:00pm. 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. 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. 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 third party (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:
1. 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
2. Youth Mental Health Guide: This guide provides information on assisitng a minor going through a mental health issue while at a minors program: Youth Mental Health Guide
3. 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
4. The Monique Burr Foundation for Children provided a series of webinars on child protection issues during the summer of 2020. You can view the recordings of these indepth webinars on their website: Let's Talk About Prevention Webinar Series