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Coaches' Background Checks
Both Anne Arundel County and the Greater Severna Park Athletic Association (GSPAA) require all coaches, assistants and volunteers who are placed in a supervisory role for children to have a current background check on file with the County Department of Recreation and Parks. Volunteers should down load the form at the Recs and Parks website and fax or mail it to the address indicated on the form. The background check is good for three years. This check is different from the GSPAA background form that is filled out on-line when registering to volunteer for a Green Hornets sporting position. A complete listing of individuals who have passed the County background checks can be found on the Recs and Parks website listed above.
GSPAA Board Policy Regarding Background Checks for All Persons Supervising Children
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The board of the GSPAA recognizes the ongoing concern regarding the potential harm to children from unscrupulous persons drawn to youth activities. The board recognizes its responsibility to take actions to limit the risk to children participating in GSPAA activities.
GSPAA POLICY: Consistent with County Policy, all coaches, assistants and volunteers who may be placed in a supervisory role of children, must have a current background check on file with Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks.
It is the specific intention of the policy to include not just formally appointed head and assistant coaches but also any other individual who may have custodial or supervisory control of children. Current County policy is that the background checks are valid for three years.
Coaches who are unable to attend one or more practices or games may not leave children in the care of a substitute unless that substitute has been screened and whose names appear on the County list of screened volunteers that is maintained on the Rec and Parks website. Coaches must cancel practices when a pre-screened volunteer is not available to cover. Children may not be left in the care of any individual who has not been screened with a current and valid background check.
A background check is considered valid for three years from the date on which it was completed. The A.A. County Recreation and Parks department maintains a list of screened volunteers on their web site.
After formation of teams, each coach is required to submit the names of all formal assistants and other volunteers to the sports commissioners. Those without a current background check on file must submit a new form to the commissioner for forwarding to the executive director of GSPAA or directly to the County. Only previous checks performed by Anne Arundel County, not other counties or states, will be considered valid.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
GSPAA SPORTS DIRECTORS OF THE BOARD: to promulgate the policy to all commissioners, coaches and the public through direct communications and its website
SPORT COMMISIONERS: To notify the coaches of the policy and how it pertains to all practices and games. To collect and log, prior to the start of practice, completed background checks from all coaches, assistants and other persons who may be asked to cover practices or games,
COACHES: To complete individual background check forms and obtain same from all assistant coaches and volunteering parents who are not already listed on the AA County web site. To strictly abide by the GSPAA board policy on this matter. To cancel all practices and games for which an adult with a valid background check is not available.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: To immediately notify relevant commissioners and the board president when a background check reveals a previous criminal conviction or open charge consistent with County Recreation and Parks Policy (see below).
Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks
Policy on Background Checks:
Any person convicted of or having open criminal charges for any crime (misdemeanor or felony) reflected on the Maryland Family Law Article’s list of forty-one criminal offenses shall be prohibited from participation in any capacity in youth programs or activities sponsored by: Department of Recreation and Parks or; Any group permitted the use of County park or Board of Education field or facility.
As a prerequisite for participation, any adult who has care, custody or control of youth participants in any youth program or activity is required to successfully complete a Background Check. This condition applies to youth programs or activities sponsored by: Department of Recreation and Parks, or; Any group permitted the use of a County park or Board of Education field or facility.
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