Child Programs Safety Policy
v.07.25.2025

The priority of HatchSpace is the physical and emotional safety of its members, students, staff and volunteers. HatchSpace maintains a zero-tolerance policy for child abuse.The Child Programs Safety Policy lives as an addendum to the HatchSpace Code of Conduct, Shop Safety Rules & Policy for Operations, the Nondiscrimination Policy, Human Resources & Personnel Manual, and Volunteer Agreement, and applies to all staff, volunteers, visitors and HatchSpace community members involved in or who come in contact with, either directly or indirectly, child and youth programs that occur at HatchSpace.

For purposes of this policy, a Child is defined as a person under 18 years of age, Children is defined as a group of more than one persons under 18 years of age.

About Child Programs at HatchSpace

HatchSpace is a nonprofit 501c3 community workshop and woodworking school located in downtown Brattleboro, VT. HatchSpace’s purpose is to promote the value and practice of craft by providing the instruction, tools and space to support a community of woodworkers. HatchSpace occasionally offers non-recurring, recreation programs for child and youth audiences to provide the benefits of the single skill-based activity of woodworking. Child programs may take a variety of formats, from single day workshops to short-term day camps or multi-session after-school workshops. Child programs have age-appropriate designed curriculums which are led by qualified staff and instructors. Child programs are considered incidental recreation programs to the primary mission of HatchSpace, and occur at a facility which regularly operates to support a community of adult learners.

Contents:

Child Abuse Prevention Policy        2

Mandated Reporting        3

Required Training        3

Physical Interactions        3

Verbal Interactions        3

Prohibition Of Private One-On-One Interaction Policy         4

Supervision        6

Restroom Usage        6

Entrance & Exit Control        7

Workshop & Tool Supervision        7

Background Checks         8

Staff & Volunteer Onboarding        9

Drugs & Alcohol        10

Incident Management Policy        11

Technology Acceptable Use Policy          13

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY

Child abuse is when an adult or another child, whether through action or by failing to act, causes serious emotional or physical harm to a child. This can include physical injury, neglect, or emotional abuse. An “abused or neglected child” can also mean a child who is sexually abused or at serious risk of sexual abuse by any person.

Child sexual abuse or misconduct may include but is not limited to:

• Any sexual activity, involvement or attempt of sexual contact with a person who is a child / minor (under 18 years old).
• Sexual activity with another who is legally incompetent.
• Physical assault or sexual violence, such as rape, statutory rape, abuse, molestation or any attempt to commit such acts.
• Unwanted and intentional physical conduct that is sexual in nature, such as touching, pinching, patting, brushing, massaging someone’s neck or shoulders and/or pulling against another’s body or clothes.
• Inappropriate activities, advances, comments, bullying, gestures, electronic communications or messages (e.g., by email, text, or social media).

Grooming is when someone builds an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or trafficking. Grooming behaviors may include but are not limited to:

• Targeting specific children for special attention, activities or gifts.
• Isolating children from family members and friends physically or emotionally. This can include one-on-one interactions such as sleepovers, camping trips and day activities.
• Gradually crossing physical boundaries, full-frontal hugs that last too long, lap sitting or other “accidental” touches.

MANDATED REPORTING                                Every staff member or volunteer of HatchSpace who becomes aware of or has suspicion of child abuse or neglect must immediately report the incident to the HatchSpace Executive Director. If such incidents involve the executive director, then the individual must make the report to the President of the board of directors or other member of the board of directors. HatchSpace Leadership is responsible for reporting the incident immediately to the appropriate authorities according to statewide mandated reporting laws within 24 hours via the critical incident system. For more details on incident reporting, please refer to the Incident Management Policy on pg. 11.

REQUIRED TRAINING

HatchSpace conducts and reports through a HatchSpace-approved process the following training for all staff members and volunteers with direct repetitive contact with children.

Before providing services to children, and annually thereafter:

• HatchSpace-approved child abuse prevention training
• HatchSpace-approved mandated reporting training
• HatchSpace-approved grooming prevention training

PHYSICAL INTERACTIONS

Every staff member and volunteer of HatchSpace is required to maintain appropriate physical contact with minors. Appropriate and inappropriate interactions include but are not limited to the following:

VERBAL INTERACTIONS

Every staff member and volunteer of HatchSpace is required to maintain appropriate verbal interactions with children. Appropriate and inappropriate interactions include but are not limited to the following:

PROHIBITION OF PRIVATE ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTION POLICY

HatchSpace is committed to providing a safe environment for members, students, staff and volunteers. To further ensure their safety, the organization prohibits all one-on-one interactions between children and staff and volunteers (including board members). This includes prohibiting one-on-one contact at any time at HatchSpace, in vehicles or by phone, text, social media or any other means. All staff and volunteers, including minor staff (under age 18), are strictly prohibited from meeting HatchSpace child participants outside of any HatchSpace-sponsored activities. The only exception to this rule is if the HatchSpace participant is a child or sibling of a staff member or volunteer.

All staff and volunteers must abide by the following:

• Ensure all meetings and communications between children and staff or volunteers are never private (see definition below).
• Ensure in-person meetings take place in areas where other staff, volunteers or child participants are present.
• Communicate to another staff member whenever an emergency arises that necessitates an exception to this policy.
• Never initiate private or isolated one-on-one contact with a child.
• Never have a private or isolated meeting or communication with a child. This includes in-person meetings and virtual communications such as texting, video chat and social media between only a staff member or volunteer and a single child.
• Never transport one child at a time. This includes transportation in HatchSpace or HatchSpace leased vehicles.

Exceptions:

Exceptions to the one-on-one interaction policy can only be made under the following circumstances:

• When delivering medical or counseling services by a licensed, trained therapist or similar professional (e.g., social workers, counselors or other medical professionals are on site to deliver authorized services to child participants).
• When the emotional or physical safety of a child participant is at risk and a private, one-on-one communication is deemed necessary by HatchSpace leadership.
• In emergency situations that could create a safety risk (e.g., if a child participant is not picked up by a parent and leaving them alone at HatchSpace could be a safety risk).

If an emergency arises that necessitates an exception to this policy, the emergency exception must be communicated to HatchSpace Executive Director as soon as practical, and ideally before engaging in one-on-one interaction. When disclosing the need for a one-on-one interaction, the HatchSpace staff or team member together with HatchSpace Executive Director must discuss:

• The intended meeting location, choosing a suitably private place that ideally maintains clear sight lines to other individuals (e.g., rooms with windows or glass doors).
• The necessary duration of the interaction, and determination of a suitable time limit on the conversation.
• The importance of documentation, and the methods for documenting the interaction that will be implemented.

Should the circumstance not allow for a prior conversation with HatchSpace Executive Director, the staff member should disclose the situation and need for a one-on-one interaction to another adult staff or volunteer member.

One-on-One Interaction Policy Guidance

The following guidance should be used when implementing related policies and procedures.

Definition of One-on-One Interaction                                

One-on-one interaction is defined as any private contact or communication (including electronic communication) between any child participant and an adult staff member, minor staff member, volunteer, board member or other HatchSpace community members who might encounter children during regular programming and activities.

Private contact/communication is any communication, in person or virtual, that is between one child participant and one adult (18 or over) or minor staff member that takes place in a secluded area, is not in plain sight and/or is done without the knowledge of others. Private places can include but are not limited to vehicles, rooms without visibility to others, private homes and hotel rooms. Examples of private contact include but are not limited to:

• Meeting behind closed doors (in rooms without windows or visible sightlines) or any spaces that are not visible to others.
• One staff member transporting one child in a vehicle.
• Electronic communications (text, video, social media, etc.) between a child participant and a staff member or volunteer.

Public contact/communication is any communication or meeting, in person or virtual, that is between at least three individuals, including two staff and one child, one staff and two children or variations of these combinations. Examples of public contact include but are not limited to:

• Meeting in plain sight of others (e.g., in a quieter area of an active workshop).
• Electronic communications between multiple children and adults.
• Transporting children via public transportation.
• Public places can include but are not limited to buses, airports, stores, restaurants and schools.

Impact on traveling to off-site events and activities

• Should HatchSpace take responsibility for transporting or escorting child participants in travel from one location to another (example, from HatchSpace to/from Boys & Girls Club or to/from River Gallery School), accommodations must be made to ensure at least three people (one staff and two children, or two staff and one child etc) are together when traveling. One staff member / volunteer should not transport or escort one child.
• HatchSpace will not provide transportation to or from a child participant’s home, and staff and volunteers will not offer rides home as a courtesy.
• Parents / guardians should provide written consent in each instance when / if HatchSpace will be supervising or providing travel and transportation, including walking between activity locations (ex: Boys & Girls Club, River Gallery School).

SUPERVISION

HatchSpace is committed to providing a safe environment at all times for our child participants. All HatchSpace activities and program spaces will always be under continuous supervision by sight or sound (for restroom supervision) by an appropriate adult team member (18 or over). To ensure appropriate supervision, staff and volunteers:

• Must abide by the prohibition of private one-on-one interaction policy.
• Must abide by all the organization’s disciplinary policies and procedures.
• Must ensure that at least one adult staff member (18 and over) is present when supervising child participants.
• Must always maintain proper supervision ratios of no more than 10 child participants per adult staff supervisor.
• Must always take attendance and report any unexpected absences to the program administrator.
• Must be trained on appropriate supervision tactics and behavior patterns.
• Must ensure that all youth staff and volunteers are supervised by an adult (18 and over) staff member.
• Must immediately notify HatchSpace Executive Director and/or submit written reports detailing accidents, critical incidents, or supervision issues.
• Must never use electronic devices such as cell phones or other communication devices while supervising child participants unless for HatchSpace purposes, as defined by the Technology Acceptable Use Policy (pg. 13).

RESTROOM USAGE

HatchSpace is committed to providing a safe and clean environment and enforces the following restroom policy for child participants, staff, volunteers and other adults in our space.

• There will be either a designated adult restroom or procedures to ensure adults and minors never utilize a restroom at the same time.
• HatchSpace will either have a single-user restroom or multi-user restrooms with single stalls that can be secured from the inside. (Note: at time of writing, HatchSpace’s primary 3rd floor workshop at 22 High Street is equipped with a single-user restroom)
• For single-user restrooms, only one child participant should be permitted to use the restroom at any given time.
• An adult HatchSpace team member should maintain a clear sight line to the restroom door and be in range for the auditory supervision of the restroom when in use by a child participant.
• Child participants should only use the designated restroom for the program’s duration.
• When using multi-user restrooms at public facilities during field trips, a minimum of three child participants will be escorted by one staff member, who will wait outside the main entrance of the restroom.
• Any staff member or volunteer who witnesses inappropriate restroom incidents should immediately complete an incident report and submit it to the HatchSpace Executive Director.

Note: The third floor single-user restroom may also be used to access the workshop emergency eye wash station and one of the workshop’s primary first aid kits. In any instance in which access to these resources is required during child programs, the door should be left open, and the one-on-one interaction policies must be followed. In most instances, this would mean an open door and at least three people (one adult and two child participants, or two adult staff and one child) entering the space to access the first aid kit or eye wash station.

ENTRANCE & EXIT CONTROL

HatchSpace will designate workshop spaces for the exclusive use of child and youth programs during which time only HatchSpace staff, program specific volunteers and child participants may access the designated space(s). All other adult members, general volunteers, and visitors of HatchSpace are prohibited from entering the designated workshop space(s). HatchSpace staff and child program specific volunteers will:

• Clearly communicate through HatchSpace communication channels which workshop spaces will be designated for the child program, and the schedule during which they will be closed to general member access and visitors in advance of the child program.
• Close all doors to the designated space(s) for the workshop.
• Place signs that indicate the workshop is closed to general member access.
• Monitor any entering or exiting individuals.
• Never allow child participants in spaces that have not been designated for program use within HatchSpace.
• Inform any unauthorized HatchSpace community member who tries to access the workshop that the workshop is closed for a designated child program.                                        

WORKSHOP & TOOL SUPERVISION

Above all else, HatchSpace prioritizes the safety of child participants in any child or youth program. With this in mind, the following protocols will be upheld at all times during a child or youth program:

• All program spaces will have clear lines of visibility and be monitored by adult staff when in use.
• Boundaries of the designated space will be clearly communicated to child participants, and areas that are not in use will remain closed and/or locked to child participants.
• Staff will determine in advance of the program age appropriate tools and processes, and develop a list of designated tools.
• Staff will clearly communicate to child participants which tools are designated for the class, and safety requirements for their use.
• Staff will follow shop Tag Out procedures for all undesignated tools prior to the start of the child and youth program that may be located within designated program spaces.
• Staff and adult volunteers will follow a station method for the supervision of use of any power tools, ensuring that an adult is only ever supervising the use of one power tool and one user at a time.
• Staff will position themselves with immediate access to the power switch or power supply of any power tool they are supervising.
• At no time should a child participant be permitted to operate a power tool without immediate supervision.
• Designated hand tools may be supervised in group settings with more than one child participant using tools at the same time.
• Staff will monitor all entryways and passages to ensure they are clean, clear of obstruction, and well lit before each session of the program.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

HatchSpace conducts criminal background checks of all employees, including employees who are minors, as well as contractors and volunteers who have direct repetitive contact with minors.

Name-based or fingerprint-based record searches may be used in any combination, but the background check shall at a minimum:

• Verify the person’s identity and legal aliases through verification of a social security number.
• Provide a national Sex Offender Registry search.
• Provide a comprehensive criminal search that includes a national search.
• Provide a comprehensive local criminal search that includes either a statewide or county level criminal search depending on jurisdiction.
• Include any additional background check criteria required by organizational policies, funding or licensing agencies or required in the applicable jurisdiction, such as motor vehicle records, child abuse registry or credit checks.
  

Such checks will be conducted prior to employment and at regular intervals for permanent positions or individuals returning to temporary positions.

All background check findings shall be considered when making employment or volunteer decisions for child and youth programs, and HatchSpace will not employ potential staff or engage potential volunteers if the individual:

• Refuses to consent to a criminal background check.
• Makes a false statement in connection with such a criminal background check.
• Is registered, or is required to be registered, on a state or national sex offender registry.
• Has been convicted of a felony consisting of:

• Murder
• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
• Abduction or human trafficking
• A crime involving rape or sexual assault
• Arson
• Weapons
• Physical assault or battery
• Drug possession, use or distribution in the last five years
• Has been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony against children, including child pornography

Interviewing

HatchSpace will conduct in-person behavioral-based interviews with every candidate for program employment or program volunteer service.

Reference Checks

HatchSpace conducts reference checks on any candidate for employment or volunteer work with direct repetitive contact with young people.

STAFF & VOLUNTEER ONBOARDING
Upon offer of a position, each new HatchSpace employee or volunteer shall receive and confirm in writing receipt of:

• Appointment letter that clearly communicates conditions of employment/volunteer engagement and benefits
• Job / Role Description
• HatchSpace employee policies or volunteer policies
• HatchSpace Code of Conduct, Shop Safety Rules & Policy for Operations
• HatchSpace Nondiscrimination Policy  
• HatchSpace Child & Youth Programs Safety Policy
• Any program specific information

Before working with any child participant, all staff and volunteers at a minimum should be given an orientation that includes an overview of the following:

• The organization’s mission, goals, operational policies, procedures and schedule of programs
• Job description and performance standards for their position
• The anticipated needs and characteristics of program participants, including socioeconomic characteristics
• Personnel and volunteer policies and procedures, including expectations regarding work hours, schedules, breaks and planning time
• Operational policies and procedures related to safety, supervision, facilities and emergency protocols
• Completion of the Child Abuse Prevention Trainings as approved by HatchSpace

DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND SMOKING

HatchSpace is a drug-free and alcohol-free facility, with the exception of sanctioned special events during which time the normal operations and functions of the workshop are closed. All employees and volunteers at HatchSpace agree to abide by the HatchSpace Code of Conduct, Shop Safety Rules and Policy for Operations, which strictly prohibits the consumption of drugs or alcohol, or arriving to the premises under the influence of drugs or alcohol, legal or otherwise. Any violation of any HatchSpace policy may result in disciplinary action including discharge.

Reasonable Suspicion  

HatchSpace staff and/or volunteers must immediately notify HatchSpace Executive Director of any action by an employee or volunteer who demonstrates an unusual pattern of behavior suggesting that they may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Employees and volunteers believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be required to leave the premises. Any illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia will be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency and may result in criminal prosecution.

Inspection & Testing

HatchSpace reserves the right to take any and all appropriate and lawful actions necessary to enforce this drug- and alcohol-free workplace policy, including but not limited to the inspection of organization-issued lockers, desks or other suspected areas of concealment, as well as an employee’s personal property when the organization has reasonable suspicion to believe that the employee has violated this drug- and alcohol-free workplace policy (see “Reasonable Suspicion” above).

                                Screening, testing and security measures may be used as methods of enforcement, as permitted by applicable state law. It is a violation of this policy to refuse to submit to testing. Tests that are paid for by the organization are the property of the organization, and the examination records will be treated as confidential and held in separate medical files. However, records of specific examinations will be made available, if required by law or regulation, to the employee, persons designated and authorized by the employee, public agencies, relevant insurance companies and/or the employee’s doctor.

Prescription Medication and Legal Drugs

Employees and volunteers are prohibited from reporting to work or working when using any legal drugs, except when the use is pursuant to a doctor’s orders and the doctor has advised the employee or volunteer that the substance does not adversely affect the employee’s or volunteer’s ability to safely perform his or her duties.

Employees and volunteers taking a legal drug, such as prescription medication or medical marijuana that potentially affects job safety or performance are responsible for notifying their supervisor and/or HatchSpace Executive Director so that a determination of job performance or reasonable accommodation can be made. An employee/volunteer may not be permitted to perform his or her job duties unless such a determination or reasonable accommodation is made.                          

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT POLICY                                    Clear reporting policies and procedures are an important element in responding to incidents that might occur at HatchSpace at any time, but especially during our child and youth programs. The policy below serves as an addendum to the standing reporting policies as outlined in other policies including but not limited to the Nondiscrimination Policy, Code of Conduct, Shop Safety Rules and Policy for Operations, and/or the Human Resources & Personnel Policy Manual.

Staff and volunteers must at a minimum immediately report and document all safety incidents that might affect staff, volunteers, child participants, HatchSpace adult members and students, and others who may visit HatchSpace.

Safety Incident Description

Incidents can include but are not limited to:

• Inappropriate activity between adults (18 and over) and children
• Inappropriate activity between multiple children
• Allegations of abuse
• Bullying behavior
• Inappropriate electronic communications between adults (18 and over) and children
• Minor and major medical emergencies
• Accidents, including slips and falls
• Threats made by or against staff, volunteers and/or members
• Physical assaults and injuries, including fights
• Missing children
• Criminal activity, including theft and robbery
• Unauthorized or inappropriate use of workshop equipment and tools
• Unauthorized access to undesignated HatchSpace facilities
• Violations of the Code of Conduct, Shop Safety Rules & Policy for Operations
• Violations of the Nondiscrimination Policy

Safety incidents include those that occur during HatchSpace programs, on HatchSpace premises, and/or during a HatchSpace affiliated program or trip.

Internal Incident Reporting  

Any employee or volunteer who becomes aware of an incident, as defined in this policy, must immediately complete an incident report and submit the incident to HatchSpace Executive Director.

The pre-existing Incident Report form may be used, or alternatively, the staff / volunteer may write to HatchSpace Executive Director with the following information:

• Date and location
• Incident details
• Names of all involved
• Names of any witnesses and contact information if known
• All notifications made (first responders, parents / families, other staff, leadership etc)

External Incident Reporting

HatchSpace follows all applicable mandated reporting statutes and regulations and all applicable federal, state and local laws for the protection and safety of children and youth. Types of mandatory external incident reporting include but are not limited to:

• Inappropriate activity between adults (18 or over) and youth
• Inappropriate activity between multiple youth
• Allegations of child abuse
• Any form of child pornography
• Criminal activity, including assault, theft and robbery, or
• Children missing from the premises

HatchSpace Executive Director will immediately report any allegation of abuse or potential criminal matter to law enforcement. Hatchspace will also report incidents of child abuse or neglect directly to Vermont Department for Children and Families at 1-800-649-5285.

Incident Investigation

HatchSpace takes all incidents seriously and is committed to supporting external investigations of all reported incidents and allegations or internal investigations when not an externally reportable incident.

Federal, state and local criminal and or mandated child abuse reporting laws must be complied with before any consideration of an internal investigation. The internal investigation should never be viewed as a substitute for a required criminal or child protective services investigation.

In the event that an incident involves an allegation against a staff member, volunteer or child participant, HatchSpace will suspend that individual immediately (employees with pay) and maintain the suspension throughout the course of the investigation.                                 

TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

HatchSpace is committed to providing a safe use of technology and online safety for child participants, staff, volunteers, adult members and students, and visitors alike. The below acceptable use policy provides the framework for how technology may be safely used at HatchSpace.

CHILD PARTICIPANT USAGE
Under the Technology Acceptable Use policy, the following relevant principles apply:                        

HatchSpace devices include any and all HatchSpace-owned existing and/or emerging technologies and devices that can take photographs, play and record audio or video, input text, upload and download content and/or media and transmit or receive messages or images. HatchSpace devices may only be used for authorized HatchSpace program related activities, like operating a laser cutter or designing a vector file.

Personally owned devices include any and all child participant-owned existing and/or emerging technologies and devices that can take photographs, play and record audio or video, input text, upload and download content and/or media and transmit or receive messages or images.

HatchSpace purposes include program activities, career development, communication with experts and/or HatchSpace peer child participants, homework and HatchSpace activities. Child participants are expected to act responsibly and thoughtfully when using technology resources. Child participants bear the burden of responsibility to inquire with staff when they are unsure of the permissibility of a particular use of technology prior to engaging in its use.                                                

Workshops are Cell Phone / Personal Device Free Zones

For safety reasons, child participants are not allowed to check or attend to personal cell phones or other personally owned devices when in our workshop facilities. This includes checking devices for any screen time action, such as checking the time or reviewing notifications when in a workshop. Clocks are provided throughout the facility to alleviate the need for time checks. Cell phones may present distractions which can present a real safety concern when operating power or hand tools, or when adjacent to those who are operating power or hand tools. Child participants who fail to uphold the personal device free zones may be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion from the program.

Other Prohibited Personal Device Use

HatchSpace expressly prohibits the use of personally owned and HatchSpace devices in restrooms and other areas where there is an expectation of privacy.

Authorized Use

Personally owned devices are permitted for use during approved times and in approved locations only. Approved times and locations will be communicated with child participants at the start of each program, and reminders given throughout a given program. Examples of approved times and locations may include over a lunch break in a designated area.

HatchSpace devices are permitted for use during approved workshop activities that involve their use. At no time should a child participant use a HatchSpace device that has not been authorized.

Inappropriate Use & Cyberbullying
Child participants may not use any technology, whether personally owned or a HatchSpace device, to harass, threaten, demean, humiliate, intimidate, embarrass or annoy their peers or others in their community. Any inappropriate use of a HatchSpace or personally owned device, as determined by HatchSpace staff, can lead to disciplinary action including but not limited to confiscation of the device, immediate suspension from HatchSpace, or other disciplinary actions including, if applicable, referral to local law enforcement.

Inappropriate communication is prohibited in any public or private messages, as well as material posted online. Inappropriate communication includes but is not limited to the following:

• Obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening or disrespectful language or images typed, posted or spoken by child participants;
• Information that could cause damage to an individual or the HatchSpace community or create the danger of disruption of the HatchSpace environment;
• Personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks;
• Harassment (persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person) or stalking of others;
• Knowingly or recklessly posting false or defamatory information about a person or organization;
• Communication that promotes the destruction of property, including the acquisition or creation of weapons or other destructive devices.

If a child participant is told to stop sending communications, that child must cease the activity immediately.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is defined as bullying that takes place using emerging technologies and devices and includes many of the inappropriate communications listed above. Any cyberbullying that is determined to disrupt the safety and/or well-being of HatchSpace, child participants, the HatchSpace staff or community, is subject to disciplinary action.                                

Internet Access
HatchSpace provides access to the internet to support official HatchSpace business and activities only. HatchSpace reserves the right to monitor communication and internet traffic on their networks and to manage, open or close access to specific online websites, portals, networks or other services.
                        
Unauthorized Access
Child participants may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the HatchSpace network, or to any other computer system through HatchSpace’s network. This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or accessing another person’s files. Child participants may not use the HatchSpace network to engage in any illegal act, including, but not limited to, arranging for the purchase or sale of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs; engaging in criminal activity; or threatening the safety of another person. Child participants may not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses.                                 

Parent / Guardian Notification And Responsibility
While the HatchSpace Technology Acceptable Use Policy restricts access to personally owned devices and supervises access to HatchSpace devices required for workshop content, supervision of internet usage might not always be possible, and HatchSpace’s network is not equipped with a youth appropriate content filter. Due to the wide range of material available on the internet, some material might not fit the particular values of child participants and/or their families. If parents/guardians do not want their child participant to access information beyond the scope of the Technology Acceptable Use Policy, they may wish to reconsider allowing their child to bring a personally owned device to HatchSpace.

Monitoring & Inspection
HatchSpace reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy and review any personally owned device that is brought to HatchSpace. Parents/guardians will be notified before such an inspection takes place and may be present, at their choice, during the inspection. Parents/guardians may refuse to allow such inspections. If so, the child participant may be subject to disciplinary action including being barred from bringing personally owned devices to HatchSpace in the future and/or expulsion from the program.                

Loss and Damage

Child participants are responsible for the safekeeping of any personally owned devices brought to HatchSpace at all times. Staff are not responsible for the security and condition of the child’s personal device. Furthermore, HatchSpace is not liable for the loss, damage, misuse or theft of any personally owned device brought to HatchSpace.

STAFF & VOLUNTEER USAGE

Under the Technology Acceptable Use policy, the following relevant principles apply:

HatchSpace devices include any and all HatchSpace-owned existing and/or emerging technologies and devices that can take photographs, play and record audio or video, input text, upload and download content and/or media and transmit or receive messages or images. HatchSpace devices may only be used for authorized HatchSpace program related activities, like operating a laser cutter or designing a vector file.

Personally owned devices include any and all staff- or volunteer-owned existing and/or emerging technologies and devices that can take photographs, play and record audio or video, input text, upload and download content and/or media and transmit or receive messages or images.

HatchSpace purposes include but are not limited to the delivery of program activities, accessing sanctioned training or career development programs, communication with experts and/or HatchSpace staff or community members for HatchSpace management and coordination purposes, or incident reporting. Staff and volunteers are expected to act responsibly and thoughtfully when using technology resources. Staff and volunteers bear the burden of responsibility to ask their supervisor when they aren’t sure of the permissibility of a particular use of technology prior to engaging in that use.                

Workshops are Cell Phone / Personal Device Free Zones

For safety reasons, during child and youth programs HatchSpace will operate workshops as cell phone free / personal device free zones. Staff and volunteers must uphold the cell phone / personal device free zone standard as well, except in emergency circumstances. Staff and volunteers should refrain from checking devices while in the workshop. Cell phones may present distractions which can present a real safety concern when operating power or hand tools, or when adjacent to those who are operating power or hand tools. Should a staff or volunteer need to check their device, we ask that they confirm supervision with another responsible adult, and then step out of the workshop environment to check their device.

Authorized Use

Staff and Volunteers should uphold the same authorized use standards as expected of child participants, and only use their personally owned devices during approved times and in approved locations, with exception given to emergency or urgent situations. Alternatively, staff and volunteers may remove themselves temporarily from the workshop environment to check their device, always confirming/passing supervision to another responsible adult before doing so.

HatchSpace devices are permitted for use during approved workshop activities that involve their use, and should be securely stored if not in use.  

Inappropriate Use
Staff and volunteers may not use any technology to harass, threaten, demean, humiliate, intimidate, embarrass or annoy child participants, their peers or others in their community. Any inappropriate use of a personally owned device, as determined by a supervisor, can lead to disciplinary action including but not limited to confiscation of a HatchSpace device, immediate suspension from HatchSpace, termination of employment or volunteer assignment or other disciplinary actions determined to be appropriate to the HatchSpace existing disciplinary policies including, if applicable, referral to local law enforcement.

Inappropriate communication is prohibited in any public or private messages, as well as material posted online. Inappropriate communication includes but is not limited to the following:

• Obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening or disrespectful language or images typed, posted or spoken by child participants;
• Information that could cause damage to an individual or the HatchSpace community or create the danger of disruption of the HatchSpace environment;
• Personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks;
• Harassment (persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person) or stalking of others;
• Knowingly or recklessly posting false or defamatory information about a person or organization;
• Communication that promotes the destruction of property, including the acquisition or creation of weapons or other destructive devices.

If a staff member or volunteer is told to stop sending communications, that staff member or volunteer must cease the activity immediately.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is defined as bullying that takes place using emerging technologies and devices and includes many of but not limited to the inappropriate communications listed above. Any cyberbullying that is determined to disrupt the safety and/or well-being of HatchSpace, child participants, the HatchSpace staff or community is subject to disciplinary action.

Communication with Child Participants

Staff and volunteers may never use personal devices to communicate directly with a single child participant. Proper protocol dictates that all communication between staff and child participants must include an additional staff member and at least two child participants. It is also best practice to refrain from using personally owned devices when possible, and instead use the HatchSpace email system. Volunteers that have a message or item to communicate with child participants are encouraged to forward the item to a HatchSpace staff member who may then disseminate it to the group of child participants.

Internet Access
HatchSpace provides access to the internet for staff and volunteers to conduct official HatchSpace business and related activities only. HatchSpace reserves the right to monitor communication and internet traffic on their networks and to manage, open or close access to specific online websites, portals, networks or other services.

Monitoring and inspection
In instances of alleged misconduct, HatchSpace reserves the right to request to inspect, copy and review a personally owned device that is brought to HatchSpace. Staff may refuse to allow such inspections. If so, the staff member may face disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Loss and Damage
Staff and volunteers are responsible for keeping devices with them at all times. Supervisors and HatchSpace at large are not responsible for the security and condition of the staff member’s or volunteer’s personal device. Furthermore, HatchSpace is not liable for the loss, damage, misuse or theft of any personally owned device brought to HatchSpace.