Coach/Volunteer

GYC Coaching and volunteer policy and procedures

 

COACHES & VOLUNTEERS

ALL COACHES & VOLUNTEERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR READING, UNDERSTANDING AND COMPLYING WITH GYC BY-LAWS, CODE OF CONDUCT AND THE GYC COACH/VOLUNTEER SCREENING PROCESS.  failure to do so may result in DISCIPLINARY action up to and including expulsion from the gyc.

 

VOLUNTEER & COACHING CLEARANCES:

PENNSYLVANIA STATE LAW REQUIRES ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO COACH and/or VOLUNTEER WITH THE GYC TO OBTAIN CHILD SAFETY CLEARANCES.  No exceptions.  

BELOW ARE LINKS TO ALL THE NECESSARY FORMS.  PLEASE SEE INFORMATION BELOW FOR WHICH FORMS YOU WILL NEED TO OBTAIN.

required CLEARANCES:

1. – PA CHILD ABUSE CLEARANCE

2. – PA STATE POLICE CRIMINAL BACKROUND CHECK

3. – FBI FINGERPRINT CHECK*

4. – fbi fingerprint waiver affidavit**

*IF YOU HAVE NOT LIVED IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS YOU MUST OBTAIN ALL THREE (3) CLEARANCES.
**IF YOU HAVE LIVED IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT THE FBI FINGERPRINT CHECK FORM, YOU MUST PRINT OUT THE FBI FINGERPRINT WAIVER AFFIDAVIT AND SUBMIT IT ALONG WITH CLEARANCES 1 & 2.

INDIVIDUAL LINKS TO EACH FORM ARE LISTED BELOW:

1. – CHILD ABUSE CLEARANCE:

https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

2. – PA STATE POLICE CRIMINAL BACKROUND CHECK:

https://epatch.pa.gov/home

3. – FBI FINGERPRINT CHECK:

https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_dpwNew.htm

*FBI FINGERPRINT WAIVER AFFIDAVIT FORM:

http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0079/8623/Affidavit_-_Exemption_from_FBI_Clearance.pdf

 

gyc coach screening process

 

I. – STATEMENT

Criminal background screening on Coaches/Volunteers will be conducted by the screening committee, a subset of the GYC Board, in an effort to protect the children who participate in organized sports and related activities associated with the GYC.

II. – Definitions

GYC recognizes a Coach/Volunteer is any person who leads and instructs players at practices and/or games – or portions there of.

Criminal background screening is mandatory under Pennsylvania State Law, no exceptions.

III. – Procedure

All candidates for the above mentioned positions must submit all forms required by Pennsylvania State Law, PA Child Protective Services Law. (see above for links to forms)

A Compliance Officer along with a Screening Committee will review background check information to determine coaching eligibility.  Only members of the Screening Committee will review data obtained, which will then be processed discreetly.  All information is strictly confidential and will not be made public under any circumstances.

Reasons for being declined the opportunity to coach/volunteer are noted below as part of this policy. Please note that reasons for being denied the opportunity to coach/volunteer are not limited to PA Child Protective Services Law or the list below.  In some instances, factors of time may be taken into account when considering coaching/volunteering eligibility (i.e. length of time since disposition of certain offenses).

The decision of this Screening Committee may be appealed, for the purpose of clarifying facts or explaining extenuating circumstances, to the Screening Committee.

All criminal history record information will be promptly destroyed at the end of the current sports season or members term, unless the coach/volunteer is known to coach/volunteer in another sport with GYC.  The applications must be kept on file for the amount of time specified by law.  (Currently 5 years).

All coaches are required to notify their respective Athletic Director, Compliance Officer and/or an Executive Board Member within 72 hours of an arrest or citation (except traffic violation).  Any coach/volunteer, who while actively listed as a coach/volunteer for the GYC is arrested and/or cited and fails to report this to the GYC will immediately forfeit his/her eligibility to participate in any GYC related event.  A conviction of any offense as listed within PA Child Protective Services Law or the list below will result in termination of coaching eligibility as stated in the policy.

The following is a list of offenses prohibiting an applicant from participation as a Coach and/or Volunteer under the GYC –  offenses include but are not limited to the following:

Crimes of Violence (Murder, Manslaughter, Assault, Robbery, Threats, Harassment & etc.)
Crimes Against Children (Kidnapping, PFA, Interference with Custody & etc.)
Deviant Sexual Offenses (Sexual Abuse, Indecent Exposure, Prohibited Sexual Contact, Public Lewdness & etc.)

Violations of PA Child Protective Services Law
Violations of PA Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device, and Cosmetic Act