	After School Program Administration

Introduction

Registration

Certification

Accreditation

ASP-AM 6: Risk Management and Review

The program identifies and reduces potential loss and liability.

Note: Many of the activities and practices addressed elsewhere in the standards, from file maintenance to emergency response preparedness, also contribute to effective risk prevention and management.

ASP-AM 6.01

At least annually, the program identifies potential operational risks and specifies ways to reduce or eliminate risks.

Interpretation: If the program develops a risk management plan, the plan should be reviewed annually and updated as necessary. Examples of relevant areas to consider when reviewing risks may include: compliance with legal requirements, including licensing and mandatory reporting laws, fiscal accountability, and governance; insurance and liability issues; health and safety, including use of facilities; contracting practices and compliance; staff training regarding areas of risk; volunteer roles and oversight; research involving program participants and other clients’ rights issues; security of information, including client confidentiality; financial risk; fundraising; conflict of interest; employment practices; and interagency collaborations.

ASP-AM 6.02

The program documents and conducts a quarterly review of incidents, accidents, and grievances related to:

illnesses and injuries;
facility safety;
administering or storing medications;
situations where a person was determined to be a danger to himself/herself or others; and
activities or other practices that involve risk.

ASP-AM 6.03

The program is adequately insured, and possesses a copy of its insurance coverage certificate.

Interpretation: Examples of relevant types of insurance may include: general liability; automobile liability; workers’ compensation; disability; fire and theft; medical; indemnification; professional liability; officer’s or director’s liability; property and casualty; malpractice; and bonding or other forms of employee theft insurance for those who sign checks, handle cash or contributions, or manage funds.

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	PURPOSE: Sound administration and management increase program quality and sustainability; promote financial accountability and viability; support transparency and openness; and reduce risk, loss, and liability exposure.

RELATED FILES


	QUALITY The extent to which contemporary and generally recognized standards are met and exceeded, and desirable outcomes achieved.


	ACCOUNTABILITY The extent to which a program is answerable to a variety of relevant stakeholders including: children and youth, families, community representatives, people or entities providing oversight, and governmental regulators.


	PRACTICE Established actions or ways of proceeding in the regular performance of program duties. Policies and procedures often guide practice.


	PREVENTION Actions taken to minimize and/or eliminate social, psychological, or other conditions. Prevention can occur at the individual, group, community, and societal levels and enhances opportunities to achieve positive fulfillment.


	RISK MANAGEMENT A systematic process of evaluating and reducing potential risks that may befall the program, personnel, or children, youth, and families. Risk management activities are directed toward reducing the program's or organization’s legal and financial exposure, especially to lawsuits.


	MANDATORY REPORTING The legal obligation to report specific forms of child abuse or neglect to a government authority when a person suspects that abuse or neglect has occurred. State laws outline specific reporting requirements for professionals if they have information related to public or private safety issues. For example, certain professionals are required to report to state authorities if they see evidence of child abuse or neglect, or have knowledge that someone is likely to be dangerous to themselves or others.


	TRAINING Instruction so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient in a skill or body of knowledge.


	VOLUNTEER An individual who performs services for a program or organization for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for services rendered. Such service must be offered freely and without pressure or coercion, direct or implied, from an employer. If the individual is otherwise employed by the same employer for which s/he volunteers, the individual cannot volunteer to perform the same type of services that s/he is paid to perform as an employee. When volunteers perform the same duties as personnel and have a regular, ongoing role at the program, they will also fall under the term “personnel.”


	CONFIDENTIALITY An ethical and practice principle that requires the protection of information shared within a professional-client relationship. A program or organization that upholds confidentiality prohibits personnel from disclosing information about program participants without their written consent.


	CONFLICT OF INTEREST A conflict between an individual self-interest and the public good. Example: a program awards a food services contract to a local restaurant that is owned by a governing body or advisory group member. From a legal standpoint, “conflict of interest” is a term used in connection with fiduciaries and their relationship to matters of private interest or gain to them. When used to suggest disqualification of a fiduciary from performing his or her sworn duty, the term refers to a clash between public interest and private pecuniary interest of the concerned individual.


	LIABILITY An obligation, responsibility, or debt.


	GRIEVANCE See COMPLAINT


	MEDICATION A prescribed or over-the-counter drug that is injected, taken orally, applied topically, or otherwise administered.