15 Tips to consider when doing background checks:

1. An individual’s criminal history is as important as the sex offender history. Review both thoroughly.


2. Review your state’s laws for pedophiles; and be aware of the three levels of pedophiles (Level 1 – low risk of repeat offense; Level 2 – moderate risk of repeat offense; Level 3 – high risk of repeat offense and a threat to public safety).


3. Select a person to serve in the role of Background Check Coordinator (it can also be the Safety Officer).


4. The Background Check Coordinator is the first person to be background checked by another Board member, usually the League President.


5. A Safety Officer position should be established at the district and state levels, not just the local level. This individual would regularly coordinate with the local league Background Check Coordinator/Safety Officer to insure all checks are being completed correctly, and in a timely fashion.


6. Be diligent to capture and verify Social Security Number for all potential volunteers to avoid “false positives” that result from a name-only search.


7. Be sure that the Little League Volunteer Application is signed by the individual applying as volunteer, and a copy of that individual’s current government-issued photo identification accompanies the application. Be diligent to capture and verify spelling, date of birth and address of the volunteer to avoid “false positives” that result from an inaccurate information search.


8. Minimize the people who have access to the background check results (i.e. – League President, Background Check Coordinator/Safety Officer).


9. Review misdemeanors and look for a pattern.


10. Create a 3-person review panel to consider those individuals that return a criminal record.


11. If the league or district approves an individual with a charge(s) that is/are not an automatic disqualifier per Little League regulations, the league or district must take responsibility for that decision. With choice, comes responsibility and accountability.


12. The League President is solely responsible for maintaining the background check file.


13. Review and retain hard copies and electronic copies of all checks that return a “hit.”


14. Redact all personal information after completing the background check.


15. Maintain secure files for two years after an individual is no longer a league or district volunteer. For checks that return a “hit,” permanently retain the individual’s information in a separate, secure file.