Politique de protection et de sauvegarde de l'enfance

Young Adults Development Network (YDN)

 

Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

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The Young Adults Development Network (YDN) is a youth-led nonprofit organization dedicated to leadership development, advocacy, and community empowerment. As an organization that works directly with young people, including high school students, university students, young adults, community members, and emerging leaders, we acknowledge our absolute duty of care to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of all participants.

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This Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy establishes a clear framework for preventing, identifying, reporting, and responding to risks of harm, abuse, exploitation, neglect, or misconduct involving children and youth. It exists not only to comply with relevant child protection laws but also to uphold the standards expected of organizations entrusted with the development of young leaders.

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By participating in or supporting YDN’s programs, whether as a youth participant, parent, volunteer, staff member, mentor, donor, or partner, you agree to the principles and standards outlined in this Policy. YDN enforces this Policy with transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for violations.

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1. Organizational Overview

 

YDN is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded to equip refugee, immigrant, and low-income youth with leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement skills. While our core audience includes young adults, we intentionally serve individuals across multiple stages of life and leadership, from high school students to seasoned community leaders. Because our work includes the direct involvement of minors and vulnerable populations, safeguarding is an organizational priority.

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Our safeguarding approach is grounded in international child rights standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), U.S. state and federal laws on child welfare, and non-profit best practices. This Policy is not a symbolic document; it is a legally binding operational standard for YDN, designed to protect participants and shield the organization from legal, ethical, and reputational risks.

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2. Eligibility and Parental Consent

 

YDN’s programs are open to a broad audience of youth and community members. However, when participants are under the age of 18, parental or guardian consent is required to ensure lawful and safe participation. Parents and guardians are responsible for reviewing YDN’s program guidelines, signing consent and waiver forms, and maintaining open communication with YDN staff regarding their child’s needs and well-being.

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We require that all information provided by parents, guardians, or participants is accurate and truthful. Consent must be informed, meaning that parents and guardians are provided with full details about the nature of programs, the expectations of participation, and the safeguards in place.

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YDN affirms that no individual under our care will be enrolled in programs without appropriate parental acknowledgment, unless participation falls under exceptions allowed by law (such as emancipated minors or youth of legal age to consent to certain services).

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3. Permitted Use of Content

 

YDN produces educational resources, training materials, videos, and advocacy tools that are intended for nonprofit, educational, and community purposes. Parents, guardians, and participants are informed that YDN may use images, recordings, or testimonials of youth participants in order to highlight leadership stories, secure funding for programs, or advance advocacy campaigns.

Any use of such content will be accompanied by signed consent forms, particularly for minors. YDN prohibits the misuse, misrepresentation, or unauthorized distribution of its content in ways that could harm the dignity or safety of children or youth.

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4. User Contributions and Community Standards

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YDN encourages participants to contribute ideas, stories, creative works, and advocacy materials. When such contributions involve children or young adults, we require strict adherence to truthfulness, respect, and safety. Content that depicts, references, or involves minors is carefully reviewed to ensure it does not exploit, endanger, or misrepresent the child in any way.

Participants, volunteers, and staff are strictly prohibited from posting or sharing offensive, discriminatory, sexually inappropriate, or harmful content. YDN reserves the right to remove any contribution that does not align with our safeguarding standards.

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By submitting any content, participants grant YDN a non-exclusive license to use the material for mission-related purposes, but YDN equally commits to protecting contributors from reputational harm and ensuring that content is not manipulated in ways inconsistent with its original purpose.

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5. Advocacy Tools and Public Statements

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YDN provides digital advocacy tools that allow participants to engage with policymakers, community leaders, and the media. When minors or youth under parental care use these tools, parental oversight is expected.

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All communications facilitated by YDN are sent in the participant’s name, and YDN assumes no liability for statements made by individuals outside of our official communications channels. Safeguarding staff monitor advocacy campaigns to ensure that minors are not exposed to inappropriate political, partisan, or personal risks while engaging in advocacy.

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6. Donations, Payments, and Financial Transactions

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YDN upholds strict transparency in donor relations. Donor information is collected only for processing contributions, issuing receipts, and building supporter relationships. Personal donor information is never sold or traded.

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For child safeguarding purposes, YDN prohibits fundraising practices that exploit children, such as using their images without consent, misrepresenting their stories, or placing them in unsafe fundraising environments. All donations are processed through secure third-party systems, and financial accountability records are available to funders upon request.

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7. Privacy and Data Protection

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The privacy of children, youth, and families is central to safeguarding. YDN collects personal information only when necessary for program delivery and with explicit consent. Sensitive information, including health data or emergency contacts, is stored securely and accessed only by authorized staff.

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YDN does not knowingly collect information from children under 13 without verified parental consent. Parents and guardians have the right to review, correct, or request deletion of their child’s data at any time.

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8. Program Participation & Safety Standards

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YDN requires all participants to adhere to a Code of Conduct that reflects respect, inclusivity, and nonviolence. Staff and volunteers are subject to background checks and mandatory safeguarding training prior to direct engagement with minors.

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YDN enforces a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, exploitation, harassment, or neglect. This applies to staff, volunteers, parents, and participants. Allegations of misconduct are taken seriously and result in immediate investigation and, where appropriate, referral to child protection authorities or law enforcement.

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Health and safety measures, including medical waivers, emergency procedures, and clear supervision protocols, are required for all events. Parents are expected to ensure that their child’s health and safety needs are communicated to YDN prior to participation.

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9. Intellectual Property Rights

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All YDN program materials, logos, and training resources are the intellectual property of the organization. YDN prohibits their use in ways that compromise child safety, such as using the YDN name or branding to solicit minors outside of official programs.

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Third-party content featured on YDN platforms remains the property of respective owners and may not be misused in connection with youth-related initiatives.

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10. Third-Party Links & External Resources

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YDN’s platforms may include links to external websites for educational purposes. YDN cannot guarantee the safeguarding standards of external sites and advises parents and guardians to supervise children when navigating outside links.

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11. Limitation of Liability

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While YDN strives to uphold the safeguarding standards, the organization cannot guarantee that all risks are eliminated. Parents and guardians acknowledge that participation in YDN activities involves inherent risks. To the extent permitted by law, YDN disclaims liability for damages resulting from misuse of our platforms or misconduct by third parties beyond our control.

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12. Indemnification

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By participating in YDN programs, parents, guardians, volunteers, and participants agree to indemnify and hold harmless YDN, its leadership, staff, and partners from liability arising from violation of this Policy or misuse of YDN resources.

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13. Children’s Protection and Safeguarding

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This section is the cornerstone of our Policy. YDN commits to creating safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for all children and youth. Safeguarding measures include:

• Prohibiting any form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, exploitation, or neglect.

• Training staff and volunteers in recognizing, reporting, and preventing abuse.

• Implementing strict supervision protocols, including ratios of adults to minors during activities.

• Requiring written parental consent for program participation, travel, or media use.

• Establishing a confidential reporting mechanism for concerns, accessible via email at ydn.info2025@gmail.com or by phone at 603-715-0801.

• Taking immediate and decisive action when concerns are raised, including suspension of individuals under investigation.

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This Policy aligns with state-mandated reporting requirements in Indiana, where YDN is headquartered, and with federal child welfare laws.

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14. Dispute Resolution

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Disputes concerning safeguarding will first be addressed through internal review and good-faith dialogue. If unresolved, disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of Indiana state law, with escalation to child protection services or courts as legally mandated.

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15. Changes to This Policy

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YDN reserves the right to revise this Policy as laws, standards, and organizational practices evolve. Updates will be posted publicly with a new effective date, and participants will be notified when material changes occur.

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16. Governing Law

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This Policy is governed by the laws of the United States and the state of Indiana, without regard to conflict-of-law provisions.

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17. Contact Us

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Concerns, questions, or safeguarding reports may be directed to:

Young Adults Development Network (YDN)
7130 Vega Way Apt 220
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Email: ydn.info2025@gmail.com
Phone: 603-715-0801