Youth Protection

The Youth Protection Division (YPD) is responsible for collecting and assessing youth protection policies and procedures that exist at City departments. It also serves as a centralized repository of expert knowledge on state, federal, and local policies and best practices for all departments that engage with youth (ages 0-25). YPD identifies and improves mechanisms for preventing youth abuse and protecting minors involved in City programs, services, and events. YPD also supports and guides departments to operate safe and compliant programs, including guidance to extend to City contractors and sub-contractors. YPD communicates requirements to departments for reporting known or suspected youth abuse or neglect and promotes to parents and guardians the protections and safeguards established at departments to keep youth safe and protected. YPD, in coordination with the Personnel Department and other pertinent departments, develops and provides training on youth abuse prevention and awareness to all City departments serving young people. Additionally, YPD creates reports with recommendations for the City Council to strengthen oversight, safety compliance, and liability mitigation of youth programs and services. 

The Youth Protection Division is NOT the child protection services agency for Los Angeles County. To report child abuse, please contact the child protection hotline at (800) 540-4000. For more information, please visit the LA County Department of Children and Family Services website on child abuse.  

Under current youth protection laws, individuals are defined as Minors if they are under 18 years of age. In widely accepted practice, individuals between the ages of 18 years through 25 years old, regardless of identity or status, are referred to as Transitional Age Youth (TAY). Individuals under 18 years old are often interchangeably referred to as children, youth, or minors. Notably, the Citywide Youth Development Strategic Plan adopted February 7, 2024, defines “youth” as individuals who are 0 to 25 years old (CF: 21-1198-S1). 

Youth Protection is a legal set of standards that include laws about how youth are treated so youth cannot be exploited nor harmed. Youth Safety generally refers to keeping youth safe in activities by eliminating bullying, fostering mental and physical health, and mitigating harms. Youth Well-Being refers to both the subjective feelings of youth and objective indicators of their well-being such as access to basic needs and other social development initiatives. Youth well-being is often used as an umbrella term for Youth Protection and Youth Safety. Varying definitions and interpretations across jurisdictions often create challenges in addressing and prioritizing youth-related issues effectively. 

For example, Youth Protection would focus on preventing abuse that children could experience from child care center staff and ensuring consequences if a child were to experience abuse, violence, or exploitation from the adult childcare center staff. Youth Safety policies for childcare centers would focus on limiting the risks associated with diseases, mitigating playground hazards, choking, dangerous toys, etc. 

The United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 19  states that “parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.” The article includes that any protective measures include creating social programs to provide children with the support needed to care for them. Simply put, youth protection can be defined as the rights of youth to be protected against violence, exploitation, and abuse from adults and peers. 

Researchers working with the United Nations and UNICEF state that youth well-being is when “adolescents thrive and are able to achieve their full potential.” Ideally, this means that youth have the support, confidence, and resources to thrive in contexts of secure and healthy relationships, realizing their full potential and rights.

Current Goals

Expand the unit’s inventory of existing City youth protection policies, procedures, and programs.

• Prepare and facilitate a training series for youth-serving City departments on current youth.

• Prepare and disseminate tools and guides City departments and contractors can use to create and maintain safe environments for youth participating in City-managed programs and activities.

Long Term Goals

Position the Youth Protection Division as the go-to place in the City for information, resources, and policies on youth protection and safety. 

• Establish responsive and productive partnerships with all youth-serving City Departments to facilitate the exchange of information on policies to prevent and reduce youth safety incidents.

• Develop a comprehensive repository of tools and training on youth safety widely used by other City departments, City contractors, and community-based organizations serving youth.