Code of Conduct for Providing Services to Youth

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION
Standards for City-Managed Programs

We take the safety of children, youth, and vulnerable adults seriously. Staff, volunteers, and contractors are expected to act conscientiously to exemplify the highest ethical standards. Staff, volunteers, and contractors must take care that they do not place youth in vulnerable situations. Accordingly, when working in connection with City-managed youth programs, all staff must comply with the following: 

APPROPRIATE AND INAPPROPRIATE PHYSICAL AND VERBAL INTERACTIONS

The City of Santa Monica has ZERO TOLERANCE for abuse and will not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of participants in its programs. Any mistreatment or abuse will result in disciplinary actions, up to and including termination of employment or volunteer service. This list is not all-inclusive; other behaviors may be identified:

Appropriate Physical Interactions:

Inappropriate Physical Interactions:

Appropriate Verbal Interactions:

Inappropriate Verbal Interactions:

ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTIONS

The City aims to eliminate or reduce these situations and prohibits Staff from engaging in private one-on-one interactions with youth unless approved in advance by the program supervisor.

GIFT GIVING

Staff are prohibited from giving gifts (including gifts of food) to any youth. Any gifts to youth must be approved by and come from the program, not individual Staff.

OUTSIDE CONTACT

Appropriate Outside Contact

Inappropriate Outside Contact

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

Any private electronic communication between Staff and youth, including private communications through social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat) is prohibited. All electronic communication between Staff and youth must be publicly viewable (i.e., accessible to program supervisors and the youth’s parents) and/or copied to a program supervisor and/or the youth’s parents.

REPORTING AND DOCUMENTING ABUSE/NEGLECT AND OTHER UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS

If staff, volunteers or contractors observe any suspicious or inappropriate conduct or violations of standards on the part of other staff, it is their personal responsibility to immediately report their observations to supervisor, the program manager, program administrator, division manager, or department leadership. Such individuals must also complete the City’s Report Regarding Suspicious or Inappropriate Conduct or Standards Violation. 

As required by mandated reporting laws and City policy, all staff, volunteers and contractors must report as practically possible any suspected abuse or neglect of a youth to Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) and to their program supervisor. If the situation is urgent or there is an immediate safety threat, they must call SMPD.

REPORT ABUSE OR CONCERNS

Los Angeles County CPS (800) 540-4000
Santa Monica Police (310) 395-9931

The complete document covering the Code of Conduct for Providing Services to Youth outlining specific expectations for all staff employees, staff volunteers, and contractors for any City-managed youth program is available here