About Our Office
Purpose
The Office of Youth Program Development and Support provides a centralized office on the UTEP campus to assist with planning, organizing and coordinating youth programs. University divisions and departments work with the Office of Youth Program Development and Support to ensure that all youth programs are set up and run efficiently to meet the University’s business procedures and risk management practices. The guidebook includes the requirements and standards to host a successful youth program.
For a variety of reasons, policies and procedures in this guidebook may change. When this occurs, Youth Event Coordinator(s) will be notified accordingly and are expected to be in compliance with any changes.
The Office of Youth Program Development and Support’s physical location and mailing address:
500 W. University Ave.
Memorial Gym, 101 W. Robinson Avenue, Room 107
El Paso, TX 79968-0602
Helpful Links
- Office of Youth Program Development and Support Website: http://ypp.utep.edu
- UTEP Handbook of Operating Procedures Chapter 5 - Youth Protection Program: https://www.utep.edu/hoop/section-1/youth-protection-program.html. Always refer to Chapter 5 of the UTEP Handbook of Operating Procedures when referencing information outlined in this guidebook.
- UTS 192 Youth Protection Policy: https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/policy-library/policies/uts-192-youth-protection-policy
- Office of Youth Program Development and Support Staff: Debbie Taylor, Support Services Manager; dataylor3@utep.edu; (915) 747-6134
Key Terminology
- Youth Participant: A minor (under age 18) who is attending a youth program. This definition does not include University students who are under the age of 18.
- Youth Program(s): A camp, program, internship, mentorship, event, or activity held on UTEP-owned or controlled premises, or sponsored or supported by UTEP, and offers recreational, athletic, religious, or educational activities to youth participants.
- “Youth Program” also includes any “Campus program for minors” as defined by Section 51.976 of the Texas Education Code. “Youth Program” specifically includes external third-party youth programs that contract with UTEP for the use of institutional facilities. For the purposes of UTS Youth Protection Policy, this definition does not include programs for UTEP-enrolled students or employees under the age of 18, or programs where the custody, control and care of a minor (under age 18) is not the responsibility of the institution but instead held by non-UTEP teachers, official chaperones, parents, or legal guardians (e.g. campus tours of prospective students' families, visits by local school district classes, etc.)
- Youth Event Coordinator: The University, college, school, unit, or department employee who develops, operates and/or supervises a campus program for youth participants, regardless of profit.
- Designated Individual(s): A person involved in and assisting with a youth program for youth participants, who has contact with a youth participant and has been identified by the institution as a designated individual. Examples of designated individuals can include: faculty, staff, student workers, volunteers, or contracted employees who assist in youth programs.
Responsibilities of a designated individual include, but are not limited to
- Ensuring the safety of each youth participant
- Following the instructions of the Youth Event Coordinator and executing or implementing the program's supervision and instruction plan
- Creating a memorable experience by:
- Providing instruction that is appropriate for each youth participant’s age and ability
- Providing encouragement that enables each youth participant to increase the confidence needed to acquire new skills
- Monitoring the behavior of youth participants to ensure they adhere to the program’s code of conduct/rules
- Enforcing the rules and immediately communicating any issues that occur to the Youth Event Coordinator
- Serving as a role model for youth participants
Authority
The University delegates authority to the Office of Youth Program Development and Support and the Youth Support Services Manager to oversee youth programs held at, sponsored by, organized by, or supported by the University, as well as to assist with planning, organizing and coordinating youth programs. University divisions and departments must work with the Office of Youth Program Development and Support to ensure that all youth programs are set up and run in accordance with the University’s business procedures and risk management practices.
Each youth program must comply with the following terms and conditions, as well as any other applicable requirements of federal, state, or local law or regulations.
Presence of Youth on Campus
The University reserves the right to condition, restrict, or deny access to University facilities by youth participants at its discretion. All youth participants, including those participating in a youth program, will be subject to all University regulations while on campus, and may be asked to leave the campus if they do not comply.
Accountability
Failure to follow the requirements established in this policy may lead to sanctions including but not limited to probation or suspension of the program; dismissal or termination of University employment; and/or removal or barring from University property.
Download a PDF of the Youth Program Development and Support Guidebook