Can we talk background checks?
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| Sat, 08-25-2012 - 2:55pm |
So, in theory, I understand the importance of background checks. I mean if people are working with children, it sounds like a smart idea, right?
But the practicality of it is really bugging me. I volunteer for Girl Scouts and we are required to have them done every three years in our council. The State is going to start charging for them this year so GS is going to start charging the adults for them.
I have to have one if I volunteer in school. I have to have one if I volunteer at Church. If I had boys and was a Boy or Cub Scout volunteer, I'd have to have one for that. I'm sure little leagues and other sports organizations require them as well.
If I start getting charged for every single one that could get pricey and it might just limit what I'm willing to volunteer for.
Plus, I'm really beginning to wonder how much these background checks really tell us. I know it used to be it was only good for the state you were currently in. If you were in a border town (like we are) you could have spent a ton of time in prison in the neighboring state and the check for my state wouldn't show it. Plus if I'm an organization like GS that is disorganized at best (I know, I'm very involved) who is actually looking at these reports?
And heaven forbid organizations like GS & BS work together to share background checks since so many parents volunteer for both.
So, any thoughts? I think I'm getting volunteer fatigue, but this is just one more thing to deal with....
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Good point!
I would also like to turn to question around: to all the mothers with young children, how many of you are comfortable with sending your children to a school/caretaker/camp, etc. where they do not do any background check?
" I wonder how many criminals, knowing they will be screened, even go to the extent of applying for a role at an org. "
The fingerprinting is the screening that discourages them from applying. Not a perfect system, but better than not screening.
I think the checks keep kids somewhat safer. Without the checks anyone could volunteer. It would be nice if we didn't have to be checked by separate places. Like, maybe, once we are checked, we get a certificate or something, so, the next place doesn't have to through the time or expense n checking us again.
It's not a perfect system but it's better than nothing.
I think it's an important thing. I've even proposed that our PTA screen our executive board and give out ID badges because the kids in school are very comfortable with us coming and going, as are the teachers, and they should know that we are authorized to be in the building unescorted.
I'm not a volunteer with boy scouts but I attend some of the meetings and I believe the troop or pack pays for the fingerprinting. They also go through training to identify child abuse, avoid misunderstandings with children, and to respond to inappropriate behavior by other adults or one of the boys. I think this type of training would be helpful for all groups that work with children.