Risk Management Guidebook

Risk Management Guidebook

For the Enhanced Protection of Children & Youth in the Department of California Youth Programs

Risk Management Guidebook

The risks associated with operating The American Legion, especially within our youth programs are significant. We are fortunate to have Legionnaires running our youth programs who are vigilant in protecting our youth. However, all the members of our American Legion Family have a duty to protect the youth we serve from any risks of abuse. If we are vigilant in our duty to protect children, The American Legion will not endure the difficulties faced by the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts of America, and other youth-serving organizations for failing to protect youth.

To address the risks, we face in our youth protection efforts, the Department of California has developed a Risk Management Guidebook to help ensure our youth protection efforts are effective while being proactive instead of reactive. The Introduction of our Risk Management Guidebook concludes with this statement: “Prevention is key to being proactive in mitigating abuse in youth programs. Therefore, a comprehensive child protection program will incorporate (1) screening, (2) abuse awareness training, (3) established policies and safeguards, and (4) awareness and oversight.” Prevention is the watchword on which we must focus.

Wherever youth congregate, it becomes a magnet that draws those who wish to take advantage of them. To ensure the youth in our programs remain safe we must put in place the appropriate policies, safeguards, and attitudes necessary. This must be an institutional effort supported by every member of our American Legion Family.

We have included the table of contents to show the diversity of important topics in our youth protection efforts. The topics are diverse and complex, and each has significant importance.

As we encourage all the leaders of our American Legion Family to become familiar with the contents of the Risk Management Guidebook, we also expect leaders will put into practice the policies and safeguards recommended in the Risk Management Guidebook to protect our youth.

It is our duty to protect the youth we serve!

Risk Management Publications

The American Legion national office has also produced several documents focused on Risk Management to support our efforts.

They include:

Risk Management Guide – Youth Programs

Risk Management Resources

• April is Children & Youth Month
• Youth Organization Resource Directory
• Risk Management Guide – Youth Programs
• Risk Management Guide – Baseball
• Risk Management Guide – Junior Shooting Sports
• Suggested Guidelines For the Operation of an American Legion Boys State Program