For Parents

At San Francisco State University, we are committed to creating opportunities for enrichment and learning at every age. Whether you are taking advantage of a campus homework help program, sending your child to swimming lessons at an SF State pool, we understand the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and youth. As a parent, your child's safety is a top priority, and we share your commitment to providing a secure environment for their academic and personal growth. Through our Youth Protection Program, we aim to foster a campus culture that prioritizes safety, inclusivity, and respect for all members of our community. On this page, you'll find valuable resources, information, and support to help you navigate our youth protection policies and initiatives. Together, we can work towards creating a safe and supportive environment where every student can thrive.

In today's digital age, young people are increasingly navigating complex online spaces, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Therefore, it's essential that we engage parents as active partners in this journey. Empowering parents and guardians as partners in youth protection means:

Parents/guardians must be provided with access information to all virtual meetings and programs.
Encourage parent/guardians to be aware of their child’s online activities.
Communicate with parents/guardians if you intend to send a resource box (camp in a box), including any safety considerations.
Ensure that parents/guardians are provided with clear instructions for reporting any concerns.

For more information, visit Protecting Youth in Virtual Settings

State-managed programs place strict boundaries on interactions between youth and adult staff and generally prohibit all of the following:

isolated, non-public, one-on- one interactions
exchanges of emails, texts, or calls without express parental permission
sharing secrets
engaging in inappropriate physical interactions such as lap sitting, kisses, wrestling, piggyback rides, tickling, massage, or any touching of inappropriate areas.

These boundaries are set out in SF State’s Code of Conduct – Standards for Interaction with Youth. The more you know about the boundaries that should be in place between youth and adult staff, the better you will be able to identify and report a violation of these boundaries.

Code of Conduct & Abuse Report Guidelines

Our priority is to maintain a secure environment where young people can thrive. In the event of any concerning or potentially harmful incidents involving youth participants, our team is obligated to report such occurrences promptly. When we all take action, abuse is preventable. We take these matters seriously and respond with urgency, adhering to the following established protocols:

Basis to Report

CSU Executive Order 1083 “Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect” requires all University employees, campus community volunteers and independent contractors, regardless of their status as a mandated reporter as defined by California law, who, in the course of their University business or volunteer activity, have reasonable suspicion of child abuse, as defined by California law, must make a report as outlined in this policy.

View Full Executive Order

Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

If you need to report an emergency situation involving child neglect or sexual abuse, please call 911.

Otherwise, please contact the appropriate local and state authorities to report suspected incidents of child sexual abuse. You can find contact information for child abuse and neglect authorities for your particular state here.

Reporting Concerns, Incidents or Policy Violations Related to Youth Programs

These types of concerns related to youth programs at San Francisco State University can be reported by contacting Enterprise Risk Management at (415) 405-3522 or by emailing us at ypp@sfsu.edu.