Ensuring Youth Safety in Higher Education: The Role of Colleges and Universities

Across the country, colleges and universities play a critical role in shaping young adults. They also provide enriching youth programs and camps for minors. These include summer enrichment programs, sports camps, academic competitions, and overnight STEM retreats. Each year, these youth-facing opportunities bring thousands of children and teens to campus.

But this opportunity brings a tremendous responsibility: ensuring the safety and protection of all youth who set foot on campus.

The Rising Importance of Youth Protection in Higher Education

Colleges and universities are increasingly recognizing that the risks associated with youth programming demand significant attention and oversight. These risks include inappropriate conduct from staff or volunteers and inadequate training on identifying and reporting abuse.

Unfortunately, it only takes one incident to damage a university’s reputation. One incident can shatter a family's trust and cause harm to a child that could have been prevented.

That is why institutions are turning to proven partners like SecureSearch and Safeguard from Abuse. Together, they implement a comprehensive, sustainable approach to youth protection.

What Is “Youth Programming” on Campus?

Youth programming on college campuses includes various activities:

• Summer day or overnight camps

• Athletic and sports training programs

• Leadership and mentorship workshops

• Academic competitions

• Volunteer-run events involving minors

• School field trips or youth outreach days

• Campus-hosted scouting or faith-based events

  
  

In these scenarios, the campus becomes a temporary guardian of the minors they host. Proper screening and training of all adults interacting with youth are essential.

Safeguard from Abuse: Training That Makes a Difference

Safeguard from Abuse offers a nationally recognized, engaging, and state-approved online child abuse prevention training course. This program is designed for adults working with minors in any setting, including college campuses.

Approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services for Campus Programs for Minors, this training meets or exceeds many state regulatory requirements. The training is:

• Available 100% online

• Easy to implement across departments or for camp directors

• Affordable, at only $6.75 per trainee, with bundles for greater savings

• Equipped with custom reporting for large-scale program tracking

  
  

This training goes beyond basic awareness. It helps employees, student workers, and volunteers recognize red flags. Participants learn about mandated reporting obligations and how to promote a culture of accountability and child-first decision-making.

SecureSearch: Comprehensive and Affordable Background Checks

Background checks form the foundation of any youth protection program. However, not all background checks are created equal.

SecureSearch provides comprehensive and cost-effective background screening tailored to the unique needs of higher education institutions. Our platform supports paperless processing, applicant self-entry, and can integrate with campus HR or camp registration software.

Our Best Practice Screening Includes:

• Multi-State Criminal Database Search (with alias name detection)

• County Courthouse Criminal Record Search (past 7 years)

• National Sex Offender Registry

• National Federal Courts Search (for serious offenses like internet crimes against children)

• Optional MVR (Driving Record) checks

• Customizable packages for staff, student workers, and volunteers

  
  

We offer a same-day to 3-day turnaround, live customer support, and the confidence that you’re doing everything possible to protect minors in your care.

Trusted by Higher Education: A Proud Sponsor of HEPNet

We are proud to be a sponsor of the Higher Education Protection Network (HEPNet). This network is a collaborative community of higher education professionals focused on protecting vulnerable populations. HEPNet members often recognize risks on campus first and lead the way in implementing effective youth protection practices.

By sponsoring HEPNet, SecureSearch and Safeguard from Abuse remain engaged with the evolving needs of higher education. We offer trusted solutions backed by experience and a commitment to safety.

Together, Let’s Make Campus a Safe Place for Every Child

When universities combine background checks with abuse prevention training, the outcome is a stronger, safer framework for youth programming. This dual approach—what we call “The Power of 2”—helps reduce risk, simplify compliance, and most importantly, protect the young lives entrusted to your campus.

The phrase "youth protection programs" becomes increasingly essential as we work together to create secure environments for young people.

Let us help you protect your students, your staff, your reputation—and your mission.

Visit:

• www.SecureSearchPro.com for background checks

• www.SafeguardFromAbuse.com for training and certification

  
  

Or contact us today for a custom solution tailored to your university or youth program.