The Institute has adopted the Minors policy to provide guidance for those in the Caltech community who participate in programs or activities that involve minors. The primary goal of the policy is to promote the well-being and safety of minors who participate in programs run by or associated with Caltech. The policy also clarifies responsibilities for reporting child abuse and neglect and provides guidance and support to help those who work with minors manage problems and avoid mistaken allegations.

The Guidelines for Programs with Minors document sets forth guidelines and procedures for employees, students, volunteers and others who are working with Minors, including procedures for programs directed at Minors who are not matriculated Caltech students, to register with the Center for Teaching, Learning & Outreach. For more information, please contact Mitch Aiken, in the Center for Teaching, Learning, & Outreach: 626-395-4641 or aiken@caltech.edu.

If you are not involved in any programs or activities involving minors, most of the provisions of the policy will not apply to you. Everyone, however, is expected to help to protect the safety and well-being of minors with whom they may interact, and report known or suspected abuse or neglect of a minor.   For more information, you should review the Standards for Interacting with Minors.

If you know, suspect, or receive information indicating that a minor has been abused or neglected or is otherwise unsafe, you must report it. Information on signs of abuse and neglect is available in the Standards for Interacting with Minors. 

To make a report to Caltech or JPL, contact Security at (626) 395-4701 or -5000 in the case of emergency (campus) or (818) 354-3530 to JPL Security. You may also report through the Caltech Hotline, which is accessible by telephone and online, 24 hours a day. 

You can (and if you are a mandated reporter, are required to) report by phone to law enforcement or the LA County Child Protection Hotline at (800) 540-4000, and then filing a written Suspected child Abuse Report within 36 hours.  This report can be completed online.

If you have any suspicion that a child has been abused or neglected, report it---even when you have doubts, it is better to report your suspicions than to ignore them.  If you encounter a situation in which you are uncertain or feel uncomfortable, contact Security, who can assist you in determining what to do.  In addition, you can access training on child abuse and reporting by contacting EOD at (626) 395-6382 or JPL Human Resources at (818) 354-7506

California law requires employees of postsecondary institutions whose duties bring them into contact with children under 18 on a regular basis, or who supervise employees whose duties bring them into contact with children on a regular basis, to report any suspected child abuse or neglect occurring on the institution's premises, or at an official activity of, or program conducted, by the institution. 

California law also requires professionals who work with children, such as doctors, psychologists, emergency personnel and others to report suspected child abuse or neglect. 

Mandated Reporters must report child abuse or neglect immediately or as soon as practicably possible by telephone to the LA County Child Protection Hotline (800) 540-4000 [or from out of state (213) 639-4500] or Pasadena Police Department 911 (for emergencies) or (626) 744-4501 (for non-emergencies), or to another local police department.  Mandated Reporters must file a written Suspected Child Abuse Report (SCAR) within 36 hours of receiving information concerning the incident. The SCAR can be completed online at https://mandreptla.org. Mandated Reports are required to sign an "Employee Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status." They will be provided with training on their role, including how to identify child abuse and neglect. For more information, at campus contact Employee and Organizational Development at eod@caltech.edu or at JPL contact Human Resources at (818) 354-7506.

All individuals working with minors in Institute programs or activities should review the Institute's Standards for Interacting with Minors. These standards provide helpful tips for maintaining a safe and positive environment when working with minors, advice on signs of child abuse and neglect, and steps to take if you suspect that a minor has been abused or neglected. 

In addition, all individuals who are mandated reporters of child abuse must sign an Employee Acknowledgment of Mandated Reporter Status and will be provided with training on their role.  Contact Employee and Organizational Development for more information and access to the training.

Yes.  The Institute is committed to promoting the safety and well-being of minors on campus and involved in campus programs and activities, and expects all members of the Caltech community to behave appropriately and follow all applicable requirements when interacting with minors. A minor or child is anyone under the age of 18.  All faculty, staff and students who are involved in an Institute-run or -affiliated program or activity involving minors should review the Standards for Interacting with Minors.   

In addition, if you are a mandated reporter, you will be required to meet the mandated reporter requirements.  Contact Employee and Organizational Development for more information and access to the training.

The Institute is committed to promoting the well-being and safety of children who participate in Institute programs or activities and in programs that outside organizations deliver on campus. Criminal background checks may reveal prior convictions that would make it inappropriate for someone to participate in a program or activity with minors.

All staff, faculty and students who are Mandated Reporters must have a criminal background check. A conviction for any crime may be considered in the decision whether to exclude an individual from supervising or interacting with minors.  At campus, contact Employment and Organizational Development for more information or at JPL contact Human Resources at (818) 354-7506.

Human Resources oversees the processing of criminal background checks for Institute programs and activities.  

Non-Caltech organizations that wish to operate programs or activities involving minors on campus must contact the Center for Teaching, Learning and Outreach for information.  

Non-Caltech organizations hosting Programs for Minors must meet requirements in their contracts relating to background checks, training, reporting of child abuse and all related matters. 

Under the provisions of state and federal law, as well as Caltech's Minors personnel memorandum ("Minors policy"), minors may not be employed, intern or volunteer in any hazardous occupations. In addition, minors working, interning or volunteering in laboratories must be approved by the Division Chair or designee in consultation with the supervising Principal Investigator and be registered through Human Resources. Consideration for approval takes into account the potential hazards associated with the specific research, the types of equipment to be used, and any potential hazards associated with the specific research, and any potential chemical and/or biological exposures. 

Please contact Caz Scislowicz at 626-395-6727 or Grace Fisher-Adams at 626-395-2907 for more information. 

No, with the exception of our Community Science Academy International, our summer programs for K-12 students are designed as day programs for local students.