Improved Security for Our Youth

French Creek Council Abuse Reporting Guidelines
 

Youth Protection Training

Scouting Magazine Article March-April 2003

A youth protection training course, “Youth Protection Guidelines for Adult Leaders and Parents,” is now available on the Internet for volunteers, parents, and other individuals within French Creek Council.  This course will make youth protection training and resources easily accessible to all leaders.  The new Tour Permit Policy requires at least one youth protection-trained leader for any activity requiring a tour permit, is effective January 1, 2003.  This new online training course will help ensure that no activities will need to be cancelled because no youth protection-trained leader is available.  Effective February 1, 2003, a leader may take either the online course or the regular youth protection course that your council has been offering.

Click here to access the on-line
Youth Protection Training Course

For more information go to the Pennsylvania State Office of Children Youth and Families (OCYF) web site:

French Creek Council Abuse Reporting Guidelines

Background Checks

BSA News Release

Since Scouting’s inception, having the highest quality of volunteers as role models and mentors for youth has been of utmost importance.  Our highest priority continues to be the safety of our youth members and participants.

The BSA continues to seek and implement improvements to our youth protection guidelines and procedures.  We are happy to report that new information technologies are now available to conduct accurate, reliable criminal history record checks on volunteer applicants.  These checks are based on the applicant’s Social Security number.  This important development offers a practical way to limit the possibility of individuals with a history of criminal acts against children being granted positions with the BSA.  When used in conjunction with other youth-protection strategies, criminal history record checks are valuable tools that discourage ineligible volunteers from seeking positions with the BSA and help to identify and screen out those who do apply.  This process will supplement the current application process, which includes reference checks and the ineligible volunteer screening process.  This new process will be conducted for all new adult volunteers starting in April 2003 in the traditional Scouting program.  If a registration form is completed, the council will perform a background check.

The adult volunteer application now clearly advises applicants that a criminal background screening will be conducted, requires written consent to conduct the background check, certifies permission to use resulting information and requires a Social Security number. 

The primary impact will be a feeling of greater security and the knowledge that anyone with a history of criminal conduct with a child will more likely no be a volunteer in your pack, troop, team, or crew.  It also means a new adult application cannot be processed without a Social Security number and consent to conduct the background check (the application must not be signed by anyone other than the applicant).  Current leaders should make sure the required information is included on all adult applications before turning them in to the council service center.  Information on a volunteer application is never sold or given out to other businesses or organizations.  Volunteers can be assured that their Social Security numbers are secured in our office.

We believe the critical importance of protecting our youth from abuse or violence will be recognized by all and that parents and leaders will take comfort and pride in the steps the BSA is taking.

French Creek Council, BSA - Serving Northwestern Pennsylvania and Ohio
www.frenchcreek-bsa.org   webmaster: dave@315pine.com