The New Jersey 4-H youth development program is committed to offering high-quality educational experiences available to young people. In order to achieve this, faculty and staff from Rutgers Cooperative Extension work closely with thousands of volunteers each year. These volunteers dedicate their time, talents, and personal resources to work with New Jersey youth.
All of us understand the importance of keeping youth safe from harm. Effective Fall 2014, the volunteer appointment process includes screening of every 4-H volunteer applicant to determine if the applicant has any substantiated charges of child abuse or neglect or criminal convictions relevant to his or her service as a 4-H volunteer. In addition, all 4-H volunteer applicants will participate in a training focused on working with minors. Many youth organizations have established similar policies to protect the youth in their programs.
The volunteer appointment process has been designed for the purpose of protecting the young people served by the New Jersey 4-H Youth Development Programs as well as volunteers, employees and Rutgers Cooperative Extension. The information obtained in the application and screening process will be utilized for that purpose. This process has been developed in consultation with the Rutgers University Office of the General Counsel.