Risk Management
Risk Management Guidebook
For the Enhanced Protection of Children & Youth in the Department of California Youth Programs
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.
Quotes From the Risk Management Guidebook
The safety of our youth is a high priority for the Department of California and following the risk management guidelines of including background checks and Abuse Awareness Training is a must for Posts involvement in The American Legion youth programs.
Within the Risk Management Guidebook, there are some key issues our American Legion Family should understand.
Designated Individuals:
“Individuals who are subject to risk management mandates of The American Legion Department of California
- Department program administrators, employees, and volunteers of the below-listed programs
- American Legion Baseball Regional and Department Tournaments
- Oratorical Contests at the District, Area, and Department
- Junior Shooting Sports
- Boys State
- Scouting”
“Members of the Department Executive Committee
- Department Commander and Department Vice Commanders
- Department Sergeant-at-Arms
- National Executive Committee Member
- District Commanders
- Department Junior Past Commander
- Department Adjutant
- Department Judge Advocate”
- “Frequency of Background Checks. Background checks will be conducted on all Designated Individuals annually before starting the designated program they have been selected to serve.” (Page 6)
- “Cost of Background Checks. Each Department program must plan to absorb the cost of having background checks conducted for volunteers and staff of Department youth programs in the program’s cost.” (Page 6)
- “Abuse Awareness Training. The American Legion Department of California mandates that each Designated Individual renew their abuse awareness training certificate annually.” (Page 9)
Risk Management Resources
