7.2.B. PRSR 12-12-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STANDARD #4 Screening Process To ensure the safety and well being of children in youth sports, individuals with regular, repetitive access or contact with children must complete the screening process. Background: Volunteers are crucial to the delivery of youth sports programs. Leagues have a responsibility to protect participants against unsafe individuals by implementing a comprehensive screening system. Screening is a process with many elements that an organization uses to protect participants. Rationale: Leagues must be selective when choosing volunteers since parents are entrusting their children to the adults running the youth sports league. Consistent and comprehensive screening strengthens the organization's protective shield. The time, energy and costs invested in screening are much less than what will be necessary if an incident, abuse or neglect occurs in the organization. Implementation: 1. Leagues must use appropriate and available screening techniques for selecting and assigning individuals to ensure that children are protected. 2. A written screening policy should be included in policies and procedures. 3. A written job description outlining the duties and responsibilities should be available for every position. 4. Job descriptions should be read, signed, dated and kept on file to ensure an understanding of the position and the league's expectations. 5. Volunteers should be required to complete and sign an application form. 6. Leagues should contact references provided by potential volunteers. 7. Leagues are encouraged to interview volunteers. 8. A criminal history background check should be conducted on all volunteers. 9. Leagues are encouraged to develop procedures and disqualifiers to determine what issues make a volunteer undesirable. \43/4 0/ National Standards for Youth Sports Copyright©2008 by NAYS