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| Free Background Checks Available |
| Release Date: 04/21/2003 |
LOUISVILLE—Free criminal background checks for volunteers who wish to work with children and youth are available to churches, says Wendy Dever, the Kentucky Baptist Convention's preschool and children's associate.
Dever is eager to get the word out about the free background checks, which are provided by the state of Kentucky. The background checks cover all jurisdictions within the state of Kentucky, and may turn up past convictions that signal a volunteer should not be allowed to work with children.
The process for requesting the background check is simple. Ministers or volunteer coordinators complete a single-page form, which is available by calling the Pretrial Services Department of the Administrative Office of the Courts at (800) 928-6381. The form is also available for download at http://www.kybaptist.org/backgroundcheckform.
It takes approximately one week for the checks to be completed and returned.
Allowing volunteers and staff members to work with children without having background checks may no longer be an option for churches.
“Many insurance companies now require background checks for people who work with children and youth,” says Dever. “Without background checks, rates could quadruple, and some companies will even deny coverage.”
Many Kentucky Baptist churches have taken advantage of the free background checks, but none have turned up serious violations, Dever said. The checks may act as a deterrent to child predators.
“If people know they have a violation, they don’t apply to become volunteers,” says Dever.
Doing the Kentucky-wide background check is just one step Dever recommends for keeping children safe and safeguarding against accusations of child abuse.
Churches may also want to do a nations-wide background check of volunteers, especially if that particular volunteer has lived in other states.
Churches should also make sure that at least two unrelated adults are in the room with children at all times. Churches should also consider limiting eligible volunteers to those who have been active members of the church for a minimum of six months.
Ministers and volunteer coordinators should also make an effort to meet with others who minister to children and youth for the purpose of sharing policy and security information, says Dever.
A commitment to child safety and security “says so much to parents,” says Dever.
For more information, contact Wendy Dever toll free in Kentucky at (866) 489-3575 or (502) 489-3575.
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Release prepared by Brenda Rick Smith, KBC news/web specialist |
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