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Required NCSI Criminal Background Investigation
SCLC requires all coaches to have National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) background investigation completed within the last two years. This in keeping with the US Lacrosse recommendation that youth lacrosse programs establish a criminal history background check program for all coaches and volunteers who interact with youth players. This is also a requirement of the Northern Virginia Youth Lacrosse League.
SCLC, in cooperation with US Lacrosse, has established an alliance with NCSI to provide criminal history background check services for our volunteers. NCSI has received the endorsement of the National Council of Youth Sports and provides services to the United States Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies of many other sports, and hundreds of youth programs throughout the country.
NCSI provides US Lacrosse-affiliated organizations the following comprehensive services:
∞ National Criminal Database searches
∞ All available state sex offender registries searches
∞ Social security number verification
∞ Address history records
∞ OFAC federal terrorist database search
∞ One single county search (additional fees may apply)
∞ "Red Light/Green Light" determination based on the NCYS Recommended Guidelines©
∞ Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) & Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) compliance
∞ Identity verification
∞ Full follow-up and investigation of records
∞ Secure online applicant self registration form for collection of confidential information and
consent directly from applicants
∞ Safe and confidential storage of records
SCLC adheres to the following National Council of Youth Sports Recommended Guidelines:
- Convictions for the five following crimes will prompt a determination that an applicant does not meet the criteria to serve a youth lacrosse organization:
∞ Any felony (any crime punishable by confinement of greater than one year)
o Defined on the basis of exposure for the offense for which the defendant was convicted,
pled guilty or pled nolo condendere. If pled down, then the crime to which the
defendant ultimately pled.
o Defined as all crimes punishable by greater than one year in jail or prison, regardless of
how characterized by jurisdiction. If range, alternate sentencing or indeterminate
sentencing, outer range greater than one year.
∞ Any lesser crime involving force or threat of force against a person.
∞ Any lesser crime in which sexual relations is an element, including “victimless” crimes of sexual
nature (including pornography)
∞ Any lesser crime involving controlled substances (not paraphernalia or alcohol)
∞ Any lesser crime involving cruelty to animals
This criteria was published by the National Council of Youth Sports following its participation in the
development of the PROTECT Act of 2003 and work with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
“Red Light”/”Green Light” System
NCSI utilizes a procedure that can be referred to as a “Red Light / Green Light” protocol. This process allows the sensitive nature of the details of a “Red Light” determination to remain confidential. For instance, NCSI utilizes a “Red Light”/”Green Light” system to inform youth programs whether or not an individual meets the above-referenced criteria to serve a youth lacrosse organization based on the results of the criminal history background check. A “Red Light” indicates that:
∞ The applicant does not meet the criteria
∞ The applicant has been convicted of a criterion offense, and/or
∞ The applicant is a sex offender registrant
A “Green Light” indicates that:
∞ The applicant meets the criteria
∞ The applicant has no criminal record, and/or
∞ The crime for which an applicant was convicted is not a criterion offense
If a background check of any coach or volunteer results in a “Red Light,” and the appeals process, if any (see below), does not satisfy the SCLC's concerns, the individual will be prohibited from working with the SCLC. Additionally, if the criminal history background check results in a “Red Light,” the candidate will have his US Lacrosse membership denied or revoked.
Criminal Background Check Process
The SCLC has contracted with NCSI to conduct criminal history background checks. The prospective coaches or volunteer will complete a confidential online application at www.ncisafe.com authorizing the check and providing an opportunity to disclose any offenses. This is done directly on the NCSI website by the candidate. If the check results in a “Green Light,” the SCLC Board of Directors is informed of such. If the check reports criminal records that may result in a “Red Light”, the records will be mailed to the candidate. Once notified, the candidate has the opportunity to appeal the accuracy of the record. The nature of the appeal is to correct an error (name, record should have been expunged, not the correct record, etc.).If the check results in a “Red Light,” the SCLC Board of DIrectors is sent notice of the “Red Light”. A “Red Light” may also result from an incomplete record, which may or may not get resolved at this stage. However, false information from the applicant is usually worked out through the initial application process so that a “Red Light” results from a criminal conviction, not an incorrect application.
If a “Red Light” is issued to the candidate, it is reported to theSCLC Board of Directors. It is up to the Board whether it wishes to know the disqualifying offense or prefers only to receive a “Red Light” designation. Once authorized by the SCLC, an “Adverse Action Notice” is issued to the candidate by NCSI. The “Adverse Action Notice” is sent to the candidate by NCSI. This notice is the SCLC’s formal denial of an applicant’s right to coach or volunteer, as well as US Lacrosse’s denial of the applicant’s membership, educational standing or employment.
Impact of a “Red Light” to Candidates
The risk to candidates beyond loss of membership and/or opportunity to participate is only greater if
confidentiality is not maintained. Disclosure of background check results is a delicate matter with serious legal implications. The SCLC has implemented stringent confidentiality guidelines in this regard. Notification to anyone other than the individual whose background is at issue (and US Lacrosse or the SCLC Board -subject to strictly-enforced confidentiality guidelines) is a matter requiring legal counsel. US Lacrosse and the SCLC will not disclose the information to anyone other than the individual and internal organizational representatives subject to confidentiality.
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