Accessibility Tools

Substance Free Policy

The YFP aims to be a safe space for all participants, and therefore the YFP Floor and YFP activities (even offsite) are substance-free.

  • If YFP staff or volunteers suspect that you are under the influence while at the Utah Pride Center or while participating in a YFP activity, staff will privately discuss the situation with you, and after we have taken steps to ensure your safety and have provided appropriate referrals, you may be asked to leave for the day*
  • If you smell like drugs or act like you have been using them, you may be asked to leave for the day*.
  • If you are talking about using drugs, you may be asked to leave.
  • Using or dealing on the UPC premises will result in its own set of consequences, which may include police involvement and being asked to leave the UPC and activities for an indefinite period of time. 

No drugs or alcohol allowed

There will be absolutely no tolerance of alcohol or drugs of any kind (excluding prescription drugs taken as prescribed) while at YFP. This includes legal and illegal substances. No using substances in the alley, on the street, or nearby. If you are observed under the influence in the area of the UPC, you may be asked to leave.

No smoking on UPC property

We ask that you do not smoke any tobacco products (including E-cigarettes or vapes) on UPC premises. This includes no smoking within 25 feet of any door and throwing away your cigarette butts in a proper place. If you choose to smoke, do not share cigarettes with minors. Being 25 feet away from any door and not sharing cigarettes with minors is not just a UPC rule, it is the law.

Be mindful of the space.

Be accountable for your actions, comments, and behaviors while in the YFP. Be open to and validating of others’ experiences. Additionally, be respectful of the space and furniture, pick up your own trash, and rinse your own dishes.

Respect all YFP privileges

  • Refrigerator: Please keep the refrigerator sanitary, if you spill something or something goes bad, please. Clean it up. Participants can only store things in the fridge when they are accessing the space (no leaving things overnight). The fridge will be cleaned by YFP staff nightly, and anything left will be thrown out.
  • Kitchen: Keep the kitchen clean at all times. Clean up after yourself and throw away any waste. Dishes should be thoroughly rinsed and loaded into the dishwasher after using.
  • Bathroom: If you find that the bathroom needs to be restocked with supplies or cleaned, please let staff know.
  • Laundry: Youth must schedule a time to do laundry at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Computers: Computers are equipped with basic programs and are internet accessible. No porn, no hookup sites (Grindr or Tinder) and no online sex. No food or drinks near the computers.
  • Animals: No animals except service/ESA animals will be allowed in YFP

No sex or heavy petting (“feeling up”)

No sexual activity will be allowed at the YFP. The YFP strives to be a safe space for youth to be affectionate with one another, to talk about sexuality in open and honest ways, and to get condoms, dental dams, and access to accurate and comprehensive sexual health information. YFP Staff, facilitators and volunteers are mandated to comply with all related legislation. Staff and volunteers are required by law to report all sexual abuse including any sexual relationships between adults 18 and above with those under 18. Please ask us if you have any questions.

No weapons are allowed on premises

If you carry a weapon for self defense, you can check it in with youth staff before entering YFP. It will remain in a locked cabinet until you’re ready to leave UPC. Please refer to any staff member if you need clarification.

No physical, psychological, or emotional violence

Absolutely no violence is allowed in the YFP space, any YFP event, or between any YFP youth. Violence includes both psychological and emotional violence, as well as physical violence. If a conflict arises between participants, they are expected to resolve the matter with one another peacefully. If this cannot be accomplished, it is expected that youth will bring the situation directly to staff, who will decide on an appropriate solution. Each young person involved will be given a chance to describe their experience of what happened and the pair/group will be offered mediation.

No stealing

If it doesn’t belong to you, leave it where you found it. We want this to be a safe space and trust is a part of that. Stealing is strictly prohibited whether it is stealing from youth, the YFP, or from any YFP staff or volunteer.

Maintain confidentiality

What is said in YFP should stay in YFP. In order to keep YFP a safe space for people to share what is going on, confidentiality must be guaranteed. Youth have the right to come to YFP without being ‘outed’ to anyone. This includes confidentiality with family, friends, teachers, employers, and other YFP participants. Youth have the right to share anything and not worry that anyone else is going to gossip about their disclosures. This confidentiality applies to online spaces, for example, if a youth takes a selfie in YFP they need to get permission from all youth in the picture before posting it on any platform. Further, UPC clients and community members also deserve confidentiality to access services and be treated with respect. These guidelines apply without limitations except for where mandatory reporting is necessary.

Mandatory Reporting

Utah Law tells us that any adult who is responsible for the care or control of a minor (under 18) for even the shortest amount of time is a mandatory reporter. This includes YFP Staff, facilitators, and volunteers. If we suspect abuse, neglect, or imminent suicide or homicide, we are required to make a report. We must also report runaway youth. Reports may be made to either Child Protective Services (CPS) or to the police; these agencies will contact each other if necessary. When possible, YFP staff will involve you (the young person) in making this report. Additionally, staff and volunteers are required by law to report all sexual abuse including any sexual relationships between people 18 and older with youth under 18.

Our UPC programs are not designed to take the place of individual therapy or counseling.

If you are interested in meeting with a UPC Therapist, Counselor, or Peer Support Specialist: Please email [email protected].

Release, Waiver and Hold Harmless

By completing this form, I hereby release and discharge the Utah Pride Center, its directors, officers, employees, therapists, Clinical Students, students, volunteers, agents and assigns (the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims which may arise from any cause whatsoever in connection with my participation in these group services. I further release the Released Parties from any liability for any accident, illness, injury, death, loss or damage to personal property, or any other consequences arising or resulting directly or indirectly from my participation in the group services. I acknowledge the Released Parties assume no responsibility for any liability, damage, injury or death that may be caused by my negligent or intentional acts or omissions committed prior to, during, or after participation in the group services, or for any liability, damage, injury or death caused by the intentional or negligent acts or omissions of others. I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any injury, loss or liability including reasonable attorneys’ fees and/or any other associated costs, from any action, claim, or demand in connection with my participation with programs and support groups at the Utah Pride Center. Utah Law tells us that any adult who is responsible for the care or control of a minor (under 18) for even the shortest amount of time is a mandatory reporter. This includes YFP Staff, facilitators, and volunteers. If we suspect abuse, neglect, or imminent suicide or homicide, we are required to make a report. We must also report runaway youth. Reports may be made to either Child Protective Services (CPS) or to the police; these agencies will contact each other if necessary. When possible, YFP staff will involve you (the young person) in making this report. Additionally, staff and volunteers are required by law to report all sexual abuse including any sexual relationships between people 18 and older with youth under 18.