Changes to Scout Youth Protection Training

Changes to Scout Youth Protection Training

IMPORTANT: This big change affects all registered adults on a troop, pack, or crew roster.

1. The online Youth Protection Training module has been greatly revised.
2. All registered adults MUST take the new course. The deadline is October 1, 2018.
3. Yes, you MUST take the new course before the deadline even if your previous certification is still current.

The revised training now includes more insights both from experts and from survivors. There's more information about bullying, neglect, exposure to violence, emotional abuse, etc.

Most important for unit leaders is the advice about how to prevent, recognize and respond.

There's another change that affects non-registered parents who assist on campouts and summer camp: They may have to register! Here's the official wording:
Effective June 1, 2018, adults accompanying a Scouting unit who are present at the activity for 72 total hours or more must be registered as a leader, including completion of a criminal background check and Youth Protection Training. The 72 hours need not be consecutive.

The new YPT course replaced the old version on My.Scouting.org. Launching it is more complicated, so it's worth taking some time to first read these instructions posted by the Northern NJ Council.

You can get more information from a March 2018 posting on ScoutingWire.