Working with Minors - South Central Regional Training Institute

The South Central Regional Training Institute (SC-RTI) is responsible for protection of minors in institute activities, including study circles, junior youth groups, and children’s classes, in the four states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Volunteers supporting these and other activities with minors need to familiarize themselves with the Policy for the Protection of Children, Junior Youth, and Youth, and need to complete a background clearance process.

Policy for the Protection of Children, Junior Youth, and Youth

For the volunteer, the clearance process has two parts: after submitting the intake form (below), SC-RTI staff will use the Sterling Volunteers system to run a background check. Please look for an e-mail from TheAdvocates@SterlingVolunteers.com and follow its instructions to complete the second part of the process.

Clearance Intake Form

Forms and Documents (PDF)

Policy for the Protection of Children, Junior Youth, and Youth – source policy document from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Guiding Principles and Standards Pertaining to the Protection of Minors – from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Participant Registration Form English, Spanish

For all minors (under 18) participating in children’s classes, junior youth groups, or study circles. Use for general registration, optional medical liability, and transportation and photography permission. “When a Bahá’í event involves the transportation of minors from one location to another, written permission from the parents/guardian of each minor is required and the parents/guardian should be informed of the details of the transportation arrangements… Photographs, videos, or any form of reproducing images of minors taken during Bahá’í events should not be posted in social media or any publication without the express consent of the parent or guardian.”

Field Trip Permission Form (English)

“Written permission from a parent or guardian for each minor must be obtained prior to undertaking physical activities that could pose serious risks of injury, such as swimming, horseback riding, hiking, and so on.”