Working with Youth: Best Practices & Guidelines (Staff & Coaches)
Presented by Chitra Thummarukudy
This is a custom developed training for the City of Palo Alto on The Best Practices & Guidelines for Working with Youth presented by Chitra Thummarukudy.
This program provides comprehensive guidance for professionals working with youth, focusing on ethical conduct, legal responsibilities, and strategies to foster positive, developmentally appropriate interactions. Participants will explore the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, including appropriate communication methods, time management, and personal disclosure. Emphasis is placed on aligning behavior with agency policies and ensuring the safety and well-being of youth participants.
The training addresses legal considerations such as confidentiality, mandatory reporting, documentation standards, liability, and insurance. It also outlines best practices for professional conduct and recommends maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and engaging environment. Real-world case studies are included to support the application of the material in practical settings, emphasizing strength-based approaches, boundary-setting, and ethical decision-making.
This training is essential for youth program staff, educators, mentors, and volunteers seeking to ensure safe, supportive, and legally sound youth engagement.
Training outline:
Professional Boundaries
- Appropriate interactions
- Communication channels
- Social media policies
- Personal disclosure
- Professional conduct
Legal Considerations
- Confidentiality requirements
- Mandatory reporting
- Documentation standards
- Liability issues
- Insurance considerations