As-Salaamu Alaikum

As Scout Leaders, our number one priority is to keep our Scouts safe. NAMAS fully supports the efforts of the Boy Scouts of America and its priority and urges you to fully read this statement from the National Youth Protection Director and to follow the guidance as soon as possible. Thank you for all you do in Scouting.

https://vimeo.com/259172648/8e448a2e5a

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Over the decades, the Boy Scouts of America has been a leader in developing training and policies designed to keep young people safe. Over time, these policies have become standard with organizations across the nation. Now, the Boy Scouts of America is releasing fully updated training to further strengthen our ability to protect youth.

These changes include:

• Updated Youth Protection Training, including insights from experts and survivors and the latest strategies for recognizing and preventing major forms of abuse. This is the designated Youth Protection Training for all adults. All volunteers must take the new training by October 1, 2018, no matter when they took the previous training.

• An expanded ScoutsFirst Helpline to aid volunteers and families in addressing potentially dangerous situations.

• Unlimited counseling and support for healing to anyone who has ever been abused in Scouting.

• Youth Protection Training for youth members available in 2019.

In addition to updated training, we recently announced new policies to ensure compliance with mandatory training requirements, including:

• As of January 1, 2018, no new leader can be registered without first completing youth protection training.

• As of January 1, 2018, no council, regional, or national leader will be allowed to renew their registration if they are not current on their Youth Protection Training.

• As of September 1, 2017, no unit may re-charter without all leaders being current on their Youth Protection Training. Registrars no longer have the ability to approve charters without full compliance.

• 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.

With these changes, and many more outlined in the documents listed below, as well as the overview video, we will continue to build a safe environment for our youth.

As an advocate and champion for youth protection in Scouting movement, I encourage you to watch the video, become familiar with the resource documents, take the training and spread the word.

We realize the Oct 1 training deadline will be a challenge for some – but the safety of our children is too important to delay.

Thank you for your work in sharing the message of safety in Scouting. You make difference every day, in ways you may never know. Truly, Youth Protection Begins with You.

Sincerely,

Michael Johnson
Director, Youth Protection

Additional Resources:

• Overview
• FAQ
• Youth Protection Infographic
• Youth Protection Presentation
• How to Guide for Taking Youth Protection