TY - THES T1 - Best Practice Recommendations for Risk Management of 4-H Volunteers Y1 - 2020 A1 - Parker, Alton Leonard KW - 4-H Club KW - Education policy KW - Risk Management KW - Screening KW - Social research KW - Volunteers KW - Youth AB -

The primary purpose of this research was to determine what 4-H Volunteer Leader risk management policies and procedures should be recommended as best practice recommendations to 4-H Programs across the United States.Two studies were utilized in the research. To determine the importance of 4-H Volunteer Leaders and 4-H Volunteer Leader risk management policies and procedures to a successful 4-H Program, a five-round Delphi study that used simple grouping, ranking, and a five-point Likert scale was conducted. The survey audience consisted of 4-H Agents and Educators from across the country who were identified by their State 4-H Leader as having a successful 4-H Program. There was a total of 47 people or 50% of the original group from 17 states who participated in all five rounds of the study. The data showed 4-H Volunteer Leaders rank as the most important asset and background screening ranked as the most important 4-H Volunteer Leader policy or procedure necessary to a successful 4-H Program.The second survey consisted of two qualitative and 36 quantitative questions. The survey audience was made up of 4-H Volunteer Leader Specialists and State 4-H Leaders from all 50 states. The group was asked to identify the reason for the heightened awareness and concern for 4-H Volunteer Leader risk management policies and procedures, the 4-H Volunteer Leader risk management policies and procedures currently in place in their states, and what policies and procedures they would like to see changed.All 50 states or 100% of the survey audience completed the questionnaire, confirming the need for the study. The majority of the group attributed the heightened awareness to occurrences of abuse by adults and volunteers in other youth organizations and institutions. From the policies and procedures identified as being followed in a majority of 4-H Programs across the country and from recommendations of changes in current policies, a total of fifteen best practice recommendations were identified in the research. These recommendations will be presented to 4-H Programs nationwide in hopes to not only protect the 4-H Program, but more importantly, better protect the youth they serve.

PB - University of Georgia CY - Athens, GA VL - PhD UR - https://esploro.libs.uga.edu/esploro/outputs/9949366055502959 ER -