As a youth-serving nonprofit organization, KCAA is committed to providing a safe environment for all participants. Background checks help us make informed volunteer decisions and are part of our overall risk management program.

All volunteer coaches, assistant coaches, and any volunteer who has regular, direct interaction with youth participants must successfully complete a background check before participating.

Background checks are required before volunteering and may be renewed periodically in accordance with KCAA policy or if required by law or our insurance provider. The current policy reads every two (2) years.

KCAA uses a third-party screening provider throught NAYS.org  to conduct criminal history background checks. Personal information is handled securely and confidentially.

Depending on the screening provider, background checks may include:

Identity verification, National criminal database search, State and county criminal records, National Sex Offender Registry search, or Other legally permissible records.

No. Sensitive personal information is provided directly to the screening company. KCAA only receives notifications that the screening is complete. A 3rd party is utilized to review reports to determine volunteer eligibility.

Not every record automatically disqualifies a volunteer.

KCAA reviews background information individually while considering:

The nature of the offense, How long ago it occurred, Whether it relates to youth safety, Evidence of rehabilitation, Applicable laws and insurance requirements. 

Our priority is protecting youth while treating every applicant fairly.

Applicants will generally be disqualified if they have convictions for offenses involving:

• Crimes against children
• Child abuse or neglect
• Sexual offenses
• Sexual exploitation
• Child pornography
• Kidnapping or unlawful restraint of a minor
• Human trafficking
• Murder or attempted murder
• Manslaughter involving intentional violence
• Domestic violence involving serious bodily harm (when relevant to volunteer service)
• Felony assault or aggravated battery involving violence
• Terroristic threats involving violence
• Felony abuse of vulnerable persons

No.

Individuals required to register as sex offenders are permanently ineligible to serve in any volunteer role involving youth.

Not necessarily.

A DUI alone does not automatically prevent someone from volunteering. However, repeated offenses, recent convictions, or positions involving transportation of participants may be evaluated differently.

Usually not.

Many misdemeanor offenses are reviewed individually and do not automatically prevent someone from volunteering.

The age of an offense is one factor considered during the review process. Older offenses with evidence of rehabilitation may not prevent someone from volunteering unless the offense falls into an automatic disqualification category.

Dismissed charges generally are not treated the same as convictions. KCAA reviews only information permitted by law and applicable screening policies.

An arrest alone does not automatically disqualify an applicant. KCAA considers only information allowed by law and may request additional information if necessary.

You have the right to dispute inaccurate information directly with the screening provider. KCAA will pause the eligibility determination while the dispute is being resolved whenever appropriate.

Yes.

Applicants may submit a written appeal if they believe:

• Information is inaccurate.
• Relevant facts were not considered.
• Rehabilitation or other mitigating circumstances should be reviewed.

The KCAA Board or its designated committee will review appeals in accordance with KCAA policy. Decisions involving offenses that are subject to automatic disqualification cannot be overturned.

Yes.

Background check results are confidential and are only accessible to authorized individuals involved in the volunteer screening process.

Volunteer screening decisions remain confidential. KCAA does not publicly discuss or disclose an applicant's background check results.

No.

Volunteers may not participate in practices, games, or team activities until all required screening and training requirements have been successfully completed.

Possibly.

Some disqualifications prohibit all volunteer service involving youth. Depending on the reason for the disqualification, KCAA may determine that certain non-youth-contact volunteer opportunities are appropriate. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable laws and insurance requirements.