UT Youth Protection Program

We have welcomed a few new faces into the YPP office this year! We would like to introduce you to one of our student associates, Emely Leandro. Emely is a sophomore, Undeclared Business/RTF student. Get to know a little more about Emely below!

If you attended one, what was your favorite summer camp?

During high school, I got the opportunity to attend leadership summer camps that have taught me important skills I have used throughout my life.

What do you enjoy most about your job at YPP?

I have enjoyed collaborating with my team in order to ensure the safety of all students, by assuring that camps at UT create a safe environment for all.

What show are you currently watching?

I am currently watching the Loki series!

We have welcomed a few new faces into the YPP office this year!

We would like to introduce you to one of our student associates, Rachel Chiang. Rachel is a second year, Biochemistry major. Get to know a little more about Rachel below!

If you attended one, what was your favorite summer camp?

My favorite summer camp that I attended was the Sam Houston Summer Music Conservatory Camp where I met my favorite piano teacher.

What do you enjoy most about your job at YPP?

I enjoy the challenge of learning how to use the camp registration system and how summer camps for children are approved and run. It's also quite fun typing up email correspondences to send out. I've never sent so many emails in one summer before! Also, I enjoy getting to know everyone in the YPP office and even the camp directors since they have all been very nice and accommodating while I am still learning to be a good student associate.

What show are you currently watching?

I don't watch TV shows, but I have been watching some movies. The movies that I recently finished again were Makoto Shinkai's Weathering With You, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Disney's animated Beauty and the Beast.

One of our most valuable partners in abuse prevention is Praesidium.

Praesidium’s Safety Equation identifies eight organizational operations that provide opportunities to decrease the risk of abuse.

At Praesidium, they stay up to date on research and analyses of thousands of cases of abuse to identify the best practices in each operation.

The Praesidium Safety Equations all equates to a safe environment for staff and minors.

The Youth Protection Program staff are certified Praesidium Guardians. Praesidium, Inc.

The Praesidium Guardian experience entails the best practices in abuse prevention by employees, volunteers and program participants.

The experience teaches how to respond effectively if allegations occur and how to ensure the YPP stays consistent with implementations of abuse preventions and practices.

To learn more about Praesidium Guardians, visit http://www.praesidiuminc.com/ .

The YPP is a part of many national organizations, one including the Higher Education Protection Network (HEPNet)

HEPNet (Higher Education Protection Network - HEPNet) is an international association linking together those that seek to advance the interactions of higher education institutions with children and youth.

Our very own Director, LeeKeshia Williams, serves as the Vice Chair of the Board and Ceci Delgadillo, our YPP Coordinator, assists in running the social media!

As the Youth Protection Program of the University of Texas at Austin, our priority is to ensure the safety of our campers.

To do so, we have clear definitions, specific to our policy, that inform our parents, staff, and campers of each role in our program.

To learn more about our office, visit the link in our bio!

LeeKeshia Williams, YPP Director, wrote our policy statement that applies to all campus programs for minors. Our policy promotes the safety of minors participating in camps or programs on university premises.

“It is the policy of The University of Texas at Austin (“University”) to provide oversight and training for camps and programs involving minors held on University premises or operated by the University which have recreational, athletic, religious, or educational activities for the campers. This includes all camps or programs covered by Texas Education Code, Chapter 51, Section 51.976, as well as any day camp, activity, or University Interscholastic League (“UIL”) event sponsored by the University.”

The Youth Protection Program has offered three virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid certification courses for their camp directors and staff.

Various camp directors and YPP staff have obtained their YMHFA certifications to improve camp experience and safety. The course teaches common mental health challenges for youth.

Our team has now learned to apply their training in both crisis and non-crisis situations.

Mental Health First Aid USA

The Youth Protection Program is the first and only higher education entity in the U.S. to be accredited by American Camp Association.

The American Camps Association the only nationwide accrediting organization for all organized camps. Their standards focus on health, safety and risk management practices.

All UT summer programs are featured on the ACA website to assist parents in selecting programs that govern national standards.

The Youth Protection Program at the University of Texas at Austin was established in 2015, by LeeKeshia Williams, to ensure a safe environment for all minors participating in university sponsored programs.

These programs are essential to introducing minors to university traditions while providing a collegiate experience.

The YPP office works with faculty and staff to ensure all programs comply with HOP 3-1710 Youth Protection Program policy.

UT Youth Protection Program updated their phone number.

UT Youth Protection Program updated their business hours.