Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports is concerned about the safety of its volunteers while on duty and the safety of its constituents (staff, participants, etc.) and the protection of its assets and reputation. To reduce these risks, prospective and, as applicable, current and potential volunteers, coaches, participants, and staff ages 16+ of Prairie Grit will undergo a criminal background check that complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Volunteers, participants, and staff are treated as applicants under the FCRA.
This policy sets forth guidelines for performing background screens. Prairie Grit has selected and approved a background screening provider through the YMCA.
Any questions or special considerations concerning this policy should be directed to Prairie Grit’s Executive Director.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
A search of criminal history will be completed, which includes a review of criminal convictions and probation. The following factors will be considered for applicants with a criminal history:
- The nature of the crime and its relationship to the position.
- The time since the conviction.
- The number (if more than one) of convictions.
- Whether the applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees or its customers and vendors.
- Evidence that the applicant has performed the same type of work, post-conviction, with the same or a different organization, without incidents or criminal conduct.
- Any efforts of the applicant towards rehabilitation.
- Employment or character references obtained regarding the individual’s fitness to volunteer.
DISQUALIFICATION CRITERIA
The Director will review the report and determine if any negative information has a direct connection with an applicant’s ability to fulfill the volunteer, staff, or participant duties with competence and integrity, or that might impact safety. Matters that might raise a concern include but are not limited to the following:
1. CRIMINAL HISTORY SEARCH
A criminal conviction will not automatically prohibit an individual from volunteering, working for, or participating with Prairie Grit, but will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, statures dictate the types of offenses that disqualify applicants from volunteering with certain organizations or in certain positions. Those lists will be referenced as well by Prairie Grit when making a decision regarding volunteer eligibility.
Convictions for the following categories of crimes are generally considered role-related and, therefore, may be considered in making decisions:
Violent crimes including murder, robbery, assault, battery
Sex offenses including rape and sexual assault
Drug-related crimes including use, sale, possession, distribution or manufacture of illegal drugs
Serious motor vehicle offenses includes driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Theft including burglary, embezzlement, forgery, fraud
Arrests that are not pending and did not result in a conviction should not be considered. Arrests pending disposition that are role-related may be considered subject to state law.
2. ARREST INFORMATION
If while a Volunteer, Staff, or Participant of Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports, Volunteer, Staff, or Participant and did not disclose an arrest to the Director within 48 hours pursuant to policy and applicable state law did not protect the arrest from disclosure, failure to disclose is grounds for dismissal from volunteering. Arrests that are disclosed or that are revealed by a search (absent an omission) will not necessarily result in termination of volunteer, staff, or participant status but will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
PROCEDURE
Volunteers, participants, and staff ages 16+ must complete a background check authorization form and return it to the Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports. This in addition to a photo of the driver's license or other photo identification will be given to the YMCA.
PGAS will process with background screening in conjunction with the YMCA. The YMCA uses ND public record, Raptor (a sex offender screening software), and the National Sex Offender Registry. In instances where negative or incomplete information is obtained, the Executive Director and Board will assess the potential risks and liabilities related to the volunteer, staff, or participants requirements and determine whether the individual should be accepted. Background check information will be maintained for a minimum of five years.
Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports reserves the right to modify this policy at any time without notice.