YouthTech 5.0
Youth Protection Policy
How we keep young people safe in every C4I program. This policy applies to every staff member, mentor, volunteer and partner who works with participants under 18.
Our Commitment
Safety Comes Before Everything Else
YouthTech 5.0 serves young people ages 16 to 21. Some of them are minors. Parents and guardians trust us with their children, and we take that trust seriously.
Every adult who works with a participant under 18 is screened, trained and bound by the rules on this page before they have any contact with young people. Breaking these rules ends that person’s involvement with C4I.
This policy is reviewed at least once a year by C4I leadership and the board of directors.
Documents
Every participant under 18 needs a signed consent form before their first session. Every adult needs a signed code of conduct.
Section 1
Screening Every Adult
No adult works with participants under 18 until every step below is complete.
Before First Contact
- A written application with work and volunteer history
- At least two references, checked by C4I
- A personal interview
- A criminal background check completed by Checkr, Inc., with the adult’s written authorization
- A search of the National Sex Offender Public Website (nsopw.gov) and the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry
- Completion of C4I youth protection training
- A signed Adult Code of Conduct
Ongoing Requirements
- Background checks, completed by Checkr, Inc., are repeated at least every two years
- Youth protection training is repeated every year
- Adults must tell C4I within 72 hours if they are arrested, charged or convicted of any offense
- Screening records are kept confidential and stored securely
Automatic Disqualification
- Any conviction for a sexual offense or an offense against a child
- Registration on any sex offender registry
- Any conviction for a violent felony
- Any other finding C4I leadership determines puts young people at risk
Section 2
Rules for Every Adult
Supervision
- Two-adult rule: at least two screened adults are present at every activity with participants under 18.
- No one-on-one time: an adult is never alone with a participant under 18 out of sight and hearing of others.
- Open and visible: doors stay open or rooms have windows. Mentoring happens in shared spaces.
- Sign-in and sign-out: minors are signed in and released only to a parent, guardian or person the parent named in writing.
- Restrooms: adults and participants never use restrooms or changing areas at the same time.
Communication
- Group channels only: adults contact minors through program group messages or email, with a parent or second adult included.
- No private messages: no one-on-one texts, direct messages or social media contact with minors.
- No personal social media connections with minors while they are in the program.
- Program hours only: communication is limited to program business.
Transportation and Trips
- Adults do not drive minors, except in an emergency or with written parent permission and a second adult present.
- Field trips and site visits need a separate signed permission form.
- No overnight activities without a separate written policy approved by the board.
Conduct
- Physical contact is limited to handshakes, high fives and similar public greetings.
- No alcohol, tobacco, vaping, drugs or weapons at any program activity.
- No gifts to individual participants. Equipment is issued through C4I only.
- No harassment, bullying, profanity directed at participants, or discrimination of any kind.
- Photos and video of minors are taken only with parent permission and only on C4I devices or accounts.
Section 3
Reporting Abuse or Neglect
North Carolina law requires any person who suspects a child is abused, neglected or dependent to report it to the county department of social services (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-301). Adults 18 and older must also report known or suspected violent or sexual offenses against a juvenile to local law enforcement (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-318.6). Failing to report is a crime.
These duties belong to each person. Telling C4I does not replace your own report.
What to Do
- Make sure the young person is safe. If there is immediate danger, call 911.
- Report it yourself. Durham County CPS: (919) 560-8424, or (919) 560-4600 after hours. For crimes, also call local law enforcement. If the child lives in another county, report to that county’s department of social services.
- Tell C4I leadership right away. Contact Donnell Nichols at (202) 855-0703 or dn22@c4iveteranservices.org.
- Do not investigate. Listen, stay calm, do not ask leading questions, and do not confront the person accused.
- Write down what you saw or heard, with dates and times, and keep it confidential.
Any adult accused of misconduct is removed from all youth activities while the matter is reviewed. C4I cooperates fully with authorities and does not retaliate against anyone who reports in good faith.
Section 4
Parents and Guardians
Before a participant under 18 joins, a parent or guardian must sign the consent form. It covers emergency contacts, health information, pickup authorization, photos and communication.
Parents are welcome to observe any session. If you have a concern about any adult or activity, contact Donnell Nichols directly at (202) 855-0703 or dn22@c4iveteranservices.org.
Participants 18 and Older
Participants who are 18 to 21 are adults. They sign their own participation agreement and follow the same code of conduct. Adult participants are not left in charge of minors and follow the same communication rules with participants under 18.
This policy is part of C4I’s program governance and does not replace the law. Questions: dn22@c4iveteranservices.org.