Frequently Asked Questions

To allow for adequate review and follow-up, Programs for Minors Guidelines require that UT Dallas sponsored and joint-sponsored PACE for minors be registered with the Programs for Minors office at least 30 days in advance of the start date. PACE directors/coordinators may start registering the PACE for minors at any time prior to the 30 day requirement.

Prior to working with minors each Designated Individual must:

1. Have an approved criminal background check completed within the last 365 days on file with the University of Texas at Dallas. Annual background checks are required via UTS124 – Criminal Background Checks and UTDSP5015 Programs for Minors.
2. Complete a state of Texas approved child protection training module and examination one time, every two years. UT Dallas offers a state of Texas approved child protection training module via eLearning for those affiliated with UT Dallas and the same training via Coursesites for non-affiliated individuals. This module covers identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect and is required by Texas Education Code, Section 51.976.
3. Complete UT Dallas Designated Individual training module and examination on an annual-basis. This training module includes UT Dallas’ expectations and responsibilities of designated individuals. It is required by the UT Dallas Programs for Minors Guidelines.

Background checks can be completed as quickly as one business day or could be up to two weeks depending on the number of aliases, number of prior residences and the speed of the reporting agency. For these reasons, please allow at least one to two weeks of processing time for each background check.

Students and non-affiliated individuals are required to have background checks processed by the UT Dallas Police Department. The department requesting the background check must have the applicant complete and sign the application, sign the application form as the requestor and provide a departmental cost center (for tracking purposes only), scan the completed forms and email to [email protected]. The UT Dallas Police Department prefers that all background checks forms be collected, scanned into one file and then submit for processing.

The Office of Human Resources handles background check requests for current faculty, staff and classified temporary employees. The requesting department should submit the Employee Background Check Request Form listing all current faculty, staff and classified temporary employees requiring a background check. The form should be emailed to [email protected]. The employees listed on the form will receive an email from HireRight to initiate the background check process. The requestor and Programs for Minors will be copied on the emails to track completion.

Yes, in certain instances. If individuals will have limited contact with the participating minors (such as test proctoring) or where the only interaction occurs in a group setting (such as in a classroom or auditorium as a guest speaker), a background check for that individual may be waived. Each circumstance will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

UT Dallas faculty, staff and students can self-enroll in the Programs for Minor organization in eLearning to access both Child Protection Training and Designated Individual Training.

Non-affiliated individuals working with a sponsored or joint-sponsored PACE for minors can access the same trainings in Coursesites.

Instructions for self-enrolling are located on the Faculty and Staff tab of the Programs for Minors website.

No, guest speakers are not required to have a background check or complete training as long as the guest speaker does not have one-to-one contact with the minors.

Yes, every PACE for minors must be reregistered annually.

If each PACE for minors is different (i.e. different topics and/or activities), then yes, each one must be registered separately.

If planning multiple sessions of the exact same program, then no, the additional sessions can be added to the existing registration as long as it is in the same fiscal year.

Each registered PACE for minors must upload the following into the registration system before it will be approved:

• Approval from Dean or Vice President of the sponsoring department.
• Special Event Risk Assessment (unless it is an internship with only one or two minors) signed by the Office of Administration.
• EH&S approved Emergency Plans and Reunification Plan.
• Risk Insurance for Camps and Clinics Involving Minors Certificate from UT System.
• Laboratories must complete additional forms for the Office of Research Compliance – Lab Safety.

Yes. In the state of Texas all Designated Individuals are mandatory reporters. Anyone making a report in good faith is protected from criminal or civil liability even if it turns out no abuse or neglect occurred.

Designated Individuals not reporting suspected abuse or neglect can be held liable for a misdemeanor or felony.

Reporting child abuse and neglect is primarily governed by the Texas Family Code. Per Texas Center for Public Policy Priorities in the Guide to Texas Child Protective Services:

(Family Code). Under the Family Code, everyone in Texas is required to report suspected abuse or neglect. Anyone making a report in good faith is protected from criminal or civil liability even if it turns out no abuse or neglect occurred. Reports can be made anonymously, and even if a reporter identifies himself, his identity is kept confidential.
In Texas there are two ways to access the child maltreatment reporting system, also called the Abuse Hotline. One way to make a report is to use the phone system managed by the Department of Family and Protective Services. To do this, call 1-800-252-5400. This hotline operates 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Reports filed through the phone system can be made anonymously, and are processed more quickly than reports filed through the website. Alternatively, https://www.txabusehotline.org.
Remember, though, all reports in Texas are kept confidential according to state law. Using the online system, reporters can receive an email confirmation that their report has been submitted, and can print a copy of the report. If you suspect a child is at risk of serious injury or death, then you should always call 911. Afterwards, you should follow up by making a report with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Via Agrilife Extension and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Yes, as long as an official Designated Individual from the same group accompanies them and it is not after curfew.

Yes. UT Dallas has a contract with Chartwell to provide catering services to the university. Chartwell must approve outside food orders or catering request for groups of 25 individuals or more. All food deliveries for PACE for minors must be authorized by Chartwell prior to ordering regardless of the number of participants.

Departments may order food for delivery for meetings (non-events) of less than 25 individuals without going through Chartwell’s or completing additional forms.

Yes, per Regents Rule 80105: Joint Sponsorships of the Use of Property or Buildings, all joint-sponsorships with third party entities must be approved by the president of the institution or his or her delegate. The Executive Vice President as been authorized to approve joint-sponsorships for UT Dallas. All request for approval should be submitted to the Executive Vice President’s, Administrative Assistant.