Just in the last 2 years, FCRA lawsuits have tripled for not following strict guidelines based on FCRA compliancy law.
So what are your biggest issues? Read the 4 main solutions we came up with below.
In 2011, the American Camp Association (ACA) updated its accreditation criteria to include Standard HR4-B. This standard mandates compulsory background checks for all camp staff and volunteers who are 18 years and above.
At a minimum, the standard requires criminal background checks and sex offender list searches. We are sure you know this. But….
To date, Standard HR4-B is mandatory for any summer camp programs which intends to gain ACA Accreditation. Basically, any camp which desires to attain the prestigious ACA accreditation needs to institute background checks as a matter of course.
However, background checks shouldn’t just be viewed as a quick path to accreditation. An even more important reason to conduct them is guaranteeing the safety of the kids.
>> Click here to learn more about our bulk background checks
Therefore, every camp director needs to ensure that the people handling the kids are honest, trustworthy, and ethically upright. There have been stories of camp attendants treating children poorly. To avoid this, an exhaustive background check should be carried out on every prospective camp employee or volunteer.
Having a background check policy can also make a summer camp more competitive in the market. The undeniable fact is that the first criterion which parents use when selecting camps is safety. One of the criteria which they use to assess safety is if the camp staff undergo background checks.
If a camp doesn’t conduct background checks, parents will consider it non-committed towards their children’s safety.
According to the ACA, there are over 2,400 ACA-Accredited camps all over the US. Therefore, any parent looking for summer camp with a background checks policy should be able to find one.
We feel conducting background checks for camps is no longer optional. Any camp that desires to remain competitive must run checks on all their staff. After all, it only takes a single negative incident for a summer camp to face a slew of lawsuits, and suffer an irreparable damage to its reputation.
The ultimate question is: how can a summer camp select the right company to conduct its background checks?
The answer is simple; find a company which has the following attributes:
1. ACA Affiliation
The simplest criterion for selecting a background check company for a summer camp is ACA Affiliation. Of over 2,000 background check vendors operating in the US, only 10 are affiliated to the ACA.
The ACA affiliated companies are selected on the basis of the relevance of their services to the camping industry. The background check companies affiliated are those whose services are best suited for the needs of camps. Therefore, any camp that chooses a company like this is guaranteed to get the best background check services.
To see the affiliated companies, simply visit the ACA Buyers Guide for Products and Services, and select “Background Checks and Screening” from the drop-down menu labelled “Category”. You can find the ACA Buyers Guide on this page.
2. PBSA Accreditation
PBSA Accreditation is the most foolproof way of selecting a background check company. This is because PBSA Accreditation sets the standards for the background check industry. To become accredited, a company must pass rigorous tests of accuracy, legal compliance, customer service and data protection.
The PBSA Accreditation standards are so high that only 5% of US background check companies have managed to attain it. Therefore, hiring an accredited company will guarantee that a summer camp will access the highest quality background checks possible. Crimcheck is PBSA accredited.
>> Click here to get a FREE Quote.
3. Summer Camp Packages
The best background check company is one that has specialized packages for summer camps, like Crimcheck. This is because summer camps typically require a number of screening options.
The most critical ones may include:
- Criminal Background Screening
- Drug Testing
- Sexual Offender Searches
- Driving Record Searches
When selecting a background check company, it is better to opt for one which has specialized packages for summer camps. Such packages usually contain all the relevant checks. This makes ordering for camp background checks convenient since it eliminates the need for placing multiple orders. In most cases, the packages also tend to be cheaper than when the services are ordered individually.
4. Experience
Conducting background checks is a delicate, complex and potentially risky process. There are two major reasons. First of all, the laws which govern background checks are quite tricky. A simple mistake during the process can get an employer sued for legal violations and force them to pay millions in settlements.
Secondly, people have become quite adept at hiding their background check information. A sloppily conducted background check can fail to unearth ethical or legal violations. This can make an employer to hire an ex-con or sex offender, and potentially place other staff and clients at risk.
To avoid running such risks, a summer camp needs to hire a company with vast experience conducting background checks. The best kind of experience is one accrued in conducting background checks for camps, charities and similar organizations.
Conducting background checks is no longer a luxury for summer camps. It is a necessity. Any camp which desires to remain competitive, improve child safety or earn ACA Accreditation needs to conduct background checks. The four qualities given above can provide the perfect criteria for selecting the correct background check company.
