Screening
Sub-Committee Report
Criminal Background Screens
The sub-committee for policy and procedure regarding volunteers in youth programs at Bay City Players met on April 29 and May 4 of 2004. After researching child welfare laws, seeking consultation from state specialists, program managers and attorneys and drawing on our collective experience in the child welfare field we are suggesting the attached policies and procedures (or code of conduct).
We recommend that criminal background checks not be done on our volunteers. This is not appropriate for our facility and/or programs. The law mandates these only for: licensed child care facilities or adult or child foster care facilities. Criminal background checks can be costly and there is no secure place to keep that information nor is there anyone who can or should be responsible for that information.
It is our expert opinion that the procedures we have drawn up, if followed, will serve to protect the youth involved at Bay City Players.
We have also attached a possible form for those volunteers in the youth program to sign for acknowledgement and receipt of the procedures. We suggest this also be given to parents and Bay City Players should have their signed acknowledgement and receipt form on file.
Click the link below for a complete printable version of our code of conduct including the form for volunteers working with children.