country programs
Ensure that you are meeting the basic requirements to be recognized as a YCWA Site. Recognition as an official site gives you the opportunity to utilize the technical support, staff, and full compliment of resources available from YCWA. Every YCWA site must meet the following standards.
Standard #1: Each Site will have an Advisor
The advisor may be a teacher, police officer, community leader, or any other responsible adult, over the age of 21, which will assist the Core Group with the operations of the site.
Standard #2: The site must have a core group of at least 6 members.
The core group shall operate in such a manner as to encourage participation by all members of the community/school that the site serves. Everyone should have a sense of ownership.
Standard #3: The site must utilize at least one of the nine YCW components.
The site shall, at a minimum, utilize one of the nine basic components.
Review the nine components
Standard #4: The site must have continued Youth Crime Watch training.
The site leadership shall attend a Youth Oriented Prevention Training at least once every three years. This is to ensure that new leaders and advisors are fully aware of new materials and appropriate YCW policies.
These trainings are offered throughout the year, including at the annual conference. It is highly encouraged that the advisor and core group, at least, attend this training. Youth Oriented Prevention Trainings include the YCW Implementation Training, a YCW Extended Briefing, a Summit, a Retreat, an International Conference, or other YCWA sanctioned training session.
Visit our training area
Standard #5: The community/school served by the site must be aware of YCW.
The site must ensure that the community/school that it serves is aware that the program is active.
This can typically be accomplished by assemblies, pep rallies, utility bill flyers, Public Service Announcements, local radio or televisions ads, a press release, community events, poster campaigns, or other means. The concept is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and take ownership in the site.
Standard #6: The site must have two meetings per month or 150 hours of activity for the year.
The site shall be able to document that there are at least two full membership meetings a month, or, the membership has a total of 150 hours of participation for a calendar year. This is youth time involved in community service, training, or program issues under the auspices of Youth Crime Watch.
Standard #7: The site must complete, yearly, a Census Survey.
The site shall complete the Census Survey (preferably on a yearly basis). Failure to complete a site survey for two years will automatically remove a site from active status. Electronic versions of the Census Survey are acceptable, as long as all requested information is provided. Sites can find the survey on the YCWA website (www.ycwa.org).
Download the Census Survey
Standard #8: Each site shall have a Site Agreement.
Each site shall have a valid and active Site Agreement on file with YCWA that is to be renewed yearly. The purpose of the Site Agreement is to ensure that the site administration and advisors acknowledge their role and responsibilities
Download the Site Agreement Form (PDF 88 kB)
In Summation
In summation, if you feel that your site has a unique situation or particular need that is not met by these standards and variances, please let us know by contacting us by writing Youth Crime Watch of America, 9200 South Dadeland Blvd., Suite 417, Miami, FL, calling 305-670-2409, faxing 305-670-3805, or e-mailing tech-assistance@ycwa.org. As with all things, there are always unique situations that arise. The mission of YCWA is to ensure that all sites are the best that they can be with a minimum set of standards and restrictions.