Creating a positive environment that promotes health, wellness, safety, and security for children and teens is of utmost importance to Texas Woman's University. If your department or program hosts camps, activities, or events specifically for children and/or teens, make sure you’re meeting the necessary university requirements for these youth programs. 

Activities, campus, or programs held on TWU campuses, or sponsored by TWU,  involving unaccompanied children/minors (under the age of 18) must follow the requirements of URP 04.420 (Minors on Campus) and Youth Program Requirements and Procedures. Some examples of activities that are required to comply with these requirements include:

• Camps operated by TWU departments
• Camps operated on TWU campuses by outside organizations
• High school students in practicums on campus who are not enrolled (e.g. working in labs for experience)
• Music lessons and swimming lessons
• Athletic recruiting events
• Other events where minors are supervised by TWU or outside organizations on TWU campuses

There are some exemptions from these requirements, such as if the minor is an enrolled student or a TWU employee; activities where minors are supervised by parents/guardians or ISD staff/teachers are also exempt.

The main requirements for Youth Programs include:

• Registration of all Youth Programs with Risk Management
• Reporting of suspected abuse or neglect to appropriate authorities
• Annual background checks for all adult Youth Program staff and volunteers
• Biannual child protection training for all adult Youth Program staff and volunteers
• Minimum staffing ratios
• Prohibition of certain kinds of physical and verbal interactions and one-on-one contact with minors
• Development of additional procedures for the Youth Program (e.g. emergency procedures, medication management, pickup procedures, etc.)

TWU-operated youth programs that need background checks and training for staff and volunteers can obtain these from Risk Management. Email a spreadsheet that includes name and email address for each staff and volunteer to risk@twu.edu. Each individual will receive an email from the background check provider and the training provider with a link to the appropriate systems. The cost for the background checks will be charged to the department operating the youth program.

Risk Management has developed a Minors on Campus FAQ. Refer to the Youth Program Requirements and Procedures for additional details. Contact risk@twu.edu or 940-898-4001 if you have any questions.