**IMPORTANT FIRST EMAIL BLAST**/Youth Protection and Adult Leadership Policy Impleme

[David Kelly]

Greetings FIRST Robotics Competition Team Leaders:

This memo announces the implementation of the new FIRST Youth Protection and Adult Leadership policy for FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams. The policy requires background screening of volunteers; it is intended to protect FIRST youth participants and give FIRST parents a greater sense of security. This important initiative was introduced to teams during this year's FRC registration process.

FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams began the screening process at the end of October. We received considerable feedback supporting this initiative and appreciate the cooperation and efforts of our team leaders who willingly added this task to their many responsibilities.
HOW THE POLICY WAS DEVELOPED
The policy was developed with broad-based assistance from both within the FIRST community and from outside experts including a national risk management group, legal counsel and non-profit organizations that have screening requirements.

FIRST extensively reviewed and tested the Youth Protection and Adult Leadership policy with selected teams. We made clarifications to the policy and instructions in response to the feedback we received from the test teams and FLL teams. FIRST would like to thank the individuals who helped us create an effective and efficient screening process.

WHERE TO FIND THE COMPLETE POLICY
The policy and instructions for the screening process are available on the FIRST website at http://www.usfirst.org/volunteers/youthprotect/ . This is not a web page that can be accessed by the general public so please keep the URL handy. The policy is available as a Adobe PDF file and a Microsoft Word document.

If you are unable to download or view the PDF document it is likely that you do not have the Adobe PDF plug-in installed on your computer, or do not have the latest version installed. We included a link on the website to theAdobe Acrobat Reader software.

WHEN SHOULD THE SCREENINGS BE CONDUCTED

Ideally, the screening should be conducted on a volunteer prior to his/her initial work with a team. We understand that most teams have been meeting and ask that the Team Leader begin the process as soon as possible.

WHO MUST BE SCREENED

All FIRST Team Mentors are required to complete a standardized internet-based background check process. Adults screened by a public school system to work with youth are exempt from the application and screening process.

A Team Mentor is defined as any adult, 18 or older, who works directly with youth on a FIRST Robotics Competition or FIRST LEGO League team. FIRST will issue separate guidance for teams located outside the United States.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH QUESTIONS

We developed a document, "Frequently Asked Questions" for reference. Click here to view the document: http://www.usfirst.org/volunteers/yo...ect/FRCFAQ.pdf

Additionally, we welcome your comments and questions. Please contact us by email (volunteer@usfirst.org) or by phone (800) 871-8326, Option 1.

FIRST appreciates your assistance and support in helping us implement a sound and secure screening process. We hope you will agree that protecting even one child will be worth the extra effort.

Happy and Healthy Holidays to you.