Introduction
The information provided in the Kentucky CES Risk Management site is designed to help Extension professionals assess and address risk management situations.  Where appropriate, links to the other Cooperative Extension resources are included.
The agent must develop a Risk Management Plan whenever the agent is transporting or has arranged or provided transportation for Extension volunteers or clientele participating in an Extension program, project, event or activity. 
Agents must also develop a Risk Management Plan when an Extension program, project, event or activity includes an overnight stay that has been reserved, arranged or provided by Extension.

Risk Management Expectation of Kentucky Cooperative Extension County Employees
It is the responsibility of all CES employees to be aware of factors in program implementation, event planning, volunteer management, facility ownership and other situations that could cause injury to participants and spectators and damage to the organization, reputation of Extension and its CES volunteer organizations.   When planning an event or activity, take time to consider the potential risks, utilize best practice for risk management and develop a risk management plan.  Be sure to follow the established guidelines identified in this document.  If you have additional questions, contact either your Area Extension Director (for county events), or the state specialist coordinating the event (for state events). 

Role of UK Risk Management Office
The University of Kentucky has a Risk Management Office with staff who can work with Extension professionals to evaluate the risk and the insurance needs related to medical and liability insurance.  
Phone: 859/257-3708      Risk Management Website 

RISK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR PROGRAM DESIGN AND EVENT PLANNING

 Risk exists in all facets of Extension programs including the design of the program, event planning and the event itself.  When planning an Extension event, consider the following risk management practices and precautions: 

• Activities and assignments should be age appropriate.
• Risks need to be analyzed and strategies identified to address these risks.
• A risk management plan should be written and shared with staff.
• Insurance needs and current coverage needs to be evaluated.
• Accident/medical insurance should be purchased on all participants if applicable.
• Certificate of insurance should be secured from the University Office of Risk Management or local insurance provider (if needed.)
• Ensure that cooperating organizations have liability insurance (if needed).
• Emergency action plan should be written.
• Volunteer application packets should be processed, screening has been completed, and all individuals who have direct, unsupervised contact with vulnerable audiences have been accepted as volunteers. Review the Volunteer Application Process.
• Orientation about the event should be completed for all staff, volunteers, and youth.
• The required number of volunteers (according to the age of the audience) needs to be secured to chaperone this event.
• Liability Shields should be signed and collected from each participant if applicable.
• Participant information is needed for Extension clientele in certain situation.  When personal information is collected, remember to keep all information confidential.
  • Youth Participants
    • The Kentucky 4-H Participant/Enrollment Information form for 4-H youth should be signed by parents/guardian when the 4-H member is under the custodial care of a staff/volunteer (not a parent).
      • A copy of the form should remain at the County Extension Office and copy of the form should be with the 4-H group while in the custodial care of a staff/of volunteer.
  • Adult Participants
    • Emergency contact phone numbers should be collected for adults who travel to CES events with an agent, in a CES owned or leased automobile, bus or van.
      • The office and agent should have a record of the emergency phone numbers. 
      • Require adults to carry their insurance card with them.
    • Instruction and education on use of equipment and tools should be provided if applicable. 
    • Transportation arranged by agents should only be provided by screened volunteers who have insurance, a valid driver’s license, and have completed the University of Kentucky MVR form. 

A copy of the UK Motor Vehicle Registration form must be sent to UK Risk Management.

• A site review should be completed prior to the activity.  Address concerns and share information with volunteers.
• The county extension agent should be informed of the event or activity implemented by volunteers and other Extension employees.

BEST PRACTICES FOR EXTENSION PROFESSIONALS TO REDUCE RISK
Extension programs, events and activities must be conducted in such a manner as to reduce risk and provide a safe, warm, welcoming environment that is as free from harm and risk as is possible.  This responsibility is the obligation of professional staff and volunteers alike.  When implemented, the following “best practices for conducting Extension Programs” will substantially reduce the level of risk encountered by Extension professionals, volunteers, clientele, as well as Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the University of Kentucky.  

• Vulnerable Audiences is defined as “youth, home-bound, immigrant, physically, mentally or emotionally challenged, disadvantaged and underprivileged audiences.”

Chaperoning and Supervising Vulnerable Audiences:

• Participant information is needed for Extension clientele in certain situation.  When personal information is collected, remember to keep all information confidential.
  • Youth Participants
    • The Kentucky 4-H Participant/Enrollment Information form for 4-H youth should be signed by parents/guardian when the 4-H member is under the custodial care of a staff/volunteer (not a parent).
      • A copy of the form should remain at the County Extension Office and copy of the form should be with the 4-H group while in the custodial care of a staff/of volunteer.
  • Adult Participants
    • Emergency contact phone numbers should be collected for adults who travel to CES events with an agent, in a CES owned or leased automobile, bus or van.
      • The office and agent should have a record of the emergency phone numbers. 
      • Require adults to carry their insurance card with them. 
• Activities involving vulnerable audiences must have constant, continuous adult supervision.   Overnight activities pose the highest degree of risk to the Extension professional, adult volunteer and the program participant.
• The “two-adult leadership” rule is required for all activities conducted with youth and other vulnerable audiences.
• Adult volunteers chaperoning or supervising youth and vulnerable audiences must have undergone the CES Screening Process and have been accepted as volunteers.
• All volunteers and staff will receive orientation and education prior to CES that will include recognizing and responding to bullying and emergency procedures.  This orientation and education component shall be added to all volunteer position descriptions. 

• Volunteers must be at least 19 years of age by January 1 of the current year.  *Where agents are unable to recruit enough adults to serve as 4-H camp counselors, 18-year-olds who have completed the entire volunteer screening protocol may serve. Review Volunteer Position Descriptions. 

• Maintain a minimum adult to youth chaperone ratio when working with youth, as follows:

*Note:  4-H Camp has a different adult to youth ratio to meet ACA requirements.

• When dealing with mixed gender youth groups, a sufficient number of adults (staff and/or approved adult volunteers) of both genders shall be present to properly manage all activities and premises.
  • Lodging at residential camps
  • Family members may stay in the same room (in some situations); however, this is not encouraged because the young person’s interaction with other youth is so important.
  • Rooming arrangements with youth audiences must be disclosed to youth participants involved, as well as their parents.
  • When using barrack-style sleeping arrangements for youth, there shall be at least two chaperones and/or counselors in each housing unit.  
  • Be sensitive to the potential risk to personal safety and reputation which may arise if meeting alone with a young person in a room including office, hotel rooms, cabins, dormitories, changing rooms, showers or rest rooms.  Doors shall never be closed. If circumstances call for a private meeting, involve a second adult in the meeting, or meet in a room with a window whereby another adult can view the exchange.
  • Be sensitive to the risks involved in participating in some contact sports with youth and exercise particular caution when doing so.
  • Jokes, stories and discussions of a sexual nature are not permissible.
  • Be cautious of becoming overly involved or spending excessive time with any one youth or member of a vulnerable audience. 
  • The nature of Extension work does not provide for the role of an Extension professional to evolve to that of a guardian, “surrogate” or “foster parent.”

• Adults and youth shall never share overnight lodging in the same room with the following exceptions:

• The privacy of vulnerable audiences is to be respected.
• No secret organizations may operate within Extension.  
• Hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Extension activity.
• Verbal, physical, and cyber bullying are prohibited.
• Teens serving in leadership roles are to be supervised and monitored by adults. Extension professionals and approved adult volunteers must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by teen leaders and ensure that Extension policies are followed.
• Discipline shall be constructive and reflect Extension’s values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.  Refer to the 4-H Event and Activity Conduct Management Guidelines. 

Transportation:

• Specified driving guidelines, as outlined in the University of Kentucky Business Procedures Manual should be followed.
• In cases where Extension employees and vulnerable audiences are traveling together, there shall always be at least two approved adults present.
• Extension professionals or volunteers should not request minors to transport other minors to Extension sponsored events in their own car or Extension-owned vehicles.

 Social Media:

• Protect the privacy of all Extension audiences when using social media.
• Follow University of Kentucky Social Media Policies and Guidelines.  
• Visit CAFE Marketing Resources to review and strictly adhere to the terms of service and existing guidelines outlined by each individual social media channel (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) and CAFE. 
• Visit CAFE Marketing Resources for photo release forms.  4-H has a photo-release as part of the 4-H Participant/Enrollment Form. 
• Extension employees should separate professional and personal social media accounts.
• The “Two-Adult Leadership” Principle applies to all Extension related electronic communications, social media groups and interactions.  At least two adults should be included in all electronic communications when communicating with youth.
• When Extension social media groups are necessary (i.e. State Teen Council’s Facebook “closed group”) the Extension professional shall include his/her direct supervisor as a member of the group, along with another Extension professional or approved adult volunteer and serve as the administrator for the site
• Inform program participants about the appropriate use of cell phones and cameras in a manner appropriate for the Extension event. 

Being Alone with Vulnerable Audiences / Clients
All volunteer and salaried Extension staff should avoid, as far as possible, being alone with individuals in situations which require extended travel time or sharing sleeping quarters or rest room facilities.  Parents or other caregivers need to be notified in advance about situations in which Extension personnel will be traveling alone with vulnerable audiences.

Teenage Driving
Teenagers who drive themselves or others to Kentucky CES sponsored events are expected to have parental approval, a valid driver’s license, a good driving record, and adequate liability and accident insurance.

Transporting Vulnerable Audiences and/or Volunteers
Everyone transporting vulnerable audiences in personal vehicles as part of the Extension program has a special responsibility to address risk management issues.  Adequate liability and accident insurance must be carried that is based upon the vehicle owner’s company policy recommendation and state statues.  All staff supervising programs that require transportation of youth in public or private vehicles need to document that drivers have appropriate and valid driver’s licenses.  If a group that includes vulnerable audiences of both genders is traveling in situations which require overnight stays, it is necessary to have chaperones of both sexes.  It is also recommended that Extension district boards and/or county councils carry accident and liability insurance for council members and key volunteers (as determined by county program councils) through the Department of Community Based Services in Frankfort (800) 849-4820 or other insurance carriers (for example, American Income Life.)

University of Kentucky Risk Management
University of Kentucky Risk Management is located in the Office of the Controller and Treasurer.  UK Risk Management is accessible by phone at 859.257.3708 or on the web at: http://www.uky.edu/EVPFA/Controller/risk.htm.
The website includes information on claims (building and contents property claims excess accident medical), accidents (owned/leased/rented vehicles), insurance (camp and field trip insurance and property insurance) and motor vehicle record (MVR safety program).