Campus Programs for Minors   Click Here for Information on Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect

 

Introduction

Effective June 1, 2012, Texas Education Code § 51.976 established requirements for certain campus programs that involve minors. SAM 05.C.01 - Campus Programs For Minors has been developed to both:

 

	Ensure that the Campus Programs for Minors are conducted in a manner that is as safe as possible, and
	Comply with the legal requirements of Texas Education Code § 51.976

 

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Which Programs are covered by the SAM?

SAM 05.C.01 - Campus Programs For Minors applies to programs if:

 

	The age of any of the participants is under 18, and
	The participants under the age of 18 are not enrolled as students at the University, and
	University of Houston-Downtown faculty, staff, students or volunteers are responsible for the participants or a third party is conducting the program on the university’s property; and
	The length of the program is two (2) days or more.

 

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Who is Responsible for Completing the Forms Required for the Programs?

The Program Operator is required to complete the forms.  The Program Operator is the individual who runs, supervises, or operates a specific Campus Program for Minors.

The contacts for the Program Operator are:

 

Training and Background Checks	Coordinator of Campus Programs for Minors
Ivonne Montalbano Vice President for Employment Services and Operations One Main Building – Room 910 S (713) 221-8667 montalbanoi@uhd.edu	Rhonda Scherer Assistant Director of Sports & Fitness Sports & Fitness – Room SLC 3 (713) 221-8481 schererR@uhd.edu

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What are the Requirements of the program?

All of the following requirements must be met prior to conducting any Campus Programs for Minors for:

 

	Programs conducted by UHD
	Programs conducted by a Third Party at UHD

 

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Definitions

Campus Program for Minors

Any program (including, but not limited to, recreational, athletic, or academic programs) conducted by the university or on the campus of a component university where any individual in attendance is a minor who is not enrolled as a student at a component university and the program is two or more days in duration.

Coordinator of Campus Programs for Minors

The individual designated by the university to monitor compliance with this policy.  This excludes:

• Training and background checks - Handled through Employment Services and Operations,  and
• Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect – Reported by any person having cause to believe a child is being abused or neglected.

Minor

Any individual who is under 18 years of age.

Program Operator

The individual who runs, supervises, or operates a specific Campus Program for Minors.

Sexual Abuse and Child Molestation Training

A training and examination program on sexual abuse and child molestation that is approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS). This include the approved UH System training or a third party’s approved training. For a list of training programs that have been approved by TDSHS, see http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/cpm/training.shtm.

 

Questions and Answers

What happens when a UHD Program that requires state approved training is conducted on the campus of a Component University?

The UHD Program Operator is treated like a third party by the Component University. Likewise, when a component University conducts a program for minors on UHD's campus, the component University Program Operator is treated like a third party.

 

What happens when a volunteer does not have a social security number, which is required for a background check?

The Office of General Counsel has determined that we cannot deny an individual the opportunity to be a volunteer at a campus program for minors because he/she does not have a social security number.  Accordingly, we will exempt volunteers with no social security number from the criminal background checks requirement.

 

The volunteer is still required to successfully complete the training.

 

When filling out the TDSHS - Campus Program for Minors Form what information do I fill in for UHS training?

UH System Training Course Name: University of Houston System Child Protective Training

UH System Course Approval Number: CPM12-0072

Harris County Code Number: 101

Link to other Texas County Code Numbers

 

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Page maintained by cookm@uhd.edu

Last updated or reviewed on 3/20/13