Summer youth programs like summer camps are gearing up for the season and many now have to follow new volunteer vetting requirements when hiring volunteer staff. New Hampshire just recently put into effect this year that anyone working with children at youth programs must undergo a criminal background check. When dealing with at-risk populations like children it is becoming more and more imperative to protect this group and performing criminal background checks including sex offender checks is a big step in achieving this. In the past volunteers were not normally screened like full time employees were but now the impetus is on properly vetting all persons including volunteers. Any person spending time with children especially unsupervised time needs to undergo a thorough background screening process. Youth programs like summer camp should be a safe and nurturing environment and mandatory volunteer background checks is a big step in achieving that goal.
Additionally, the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) is strongly encouraging all youth sports organizations to perform criminal background checks on their volunteer workers as part of a complete screening process. This is a powerful message and implementing it is easier now than in the past. Performing background checks now requires minimal work due to online criminal background check systems and the cost in nominal when compared to risk of harm to a child.
To learn more about new laws pertaining to youth programs and volunteer background checks please read recent CriminalBackgroundRecords.com press release.