US Sports Camp Guidance on Background Checks

In conducting criminal background checks and making determinations about candidates’ suitability for employment and volunteer positions, Operators are responsible for complying with all federal, state, and local laws. Operators should recognize that laws governing criminal background checks vary from state to state (and sometimes even among local jurisdictions within a state). By way of example, California law requires youth service organizations to conduct a specific type of background check (live scan) on administrators, employees, and certain volunteers and exclude anyone with a history of child abuse. Other laws may require employers to follow a certain process and consider specific factors before making a decision not to employ an individual based on their criminal history. Various laws also restrict the types of criminal history information that may be considered in certain circumstances, for instance precluding consideration of certain types of convictions or convictions that occurred more than a specified number of years ago. As such, it is essential that Operators familiarize themselves with, and comply with, all applicable laws.

In furtherance of US Sports Camps’ commitment to safety, we have identified certain types of “Red Flag” offenses that may adversely affect a candidate’s suitability as an employee or volunteer.

If a candidate has an offense that may fall into one or more of the following "Red Flag" categories, an Operator must consult legal counsel and notify US Sports Camps before making a final decision to hire.

• Crimes of violence (assault, battery, rape, murder, voluntary manslaughter, abuse, robbery, kidnapping, domestic violence)
• Crimes involving harm to children (abuse, molestation, abandonment, endangerment, neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor)
• Sex crimes (public indecency, indecent exposure, lewd conduct, possession/distribution of child pornography)
• Crimes involving threatening conduct (stalking, harassment, violation of a protection order, threats)

The above list is not intended to be comprehensive. Criminal offenses not listed above may affect safety depending on the underlying facts. Additionally, offenses may be described differently in background check reports depending on the jurisdiction and other factors. While some offenses may easily be determined not to impact suitability as an employee or volunteer, if an Operator has any questions, they should consult legal counsel or contact US Sports Camps for support.

Cleared Reports

If NO criminal history is found, the user’s Ankored Background Check requirement will automatically be marked “Complete.”

Flagged Reports

If a criminal history IS found, Operators will receive a notification email and an in-app alert when a background check results in a criminal history.

Next Steps in Criminal History Review

1. Log into your Ankored account, click on the staff member, and view National Background Check results.
2. The operator should review the US Sports Camp Background check policy and determine whether any offenses affect the candidate’s suitability or eligibility for employment.
3. Operators should consult with legal counsel about whether any offenses affect the candidate’s suitability or eligibility for employment. If an offense falls into one of the “Red Flag” categories listed above, the Operator MUST consult legal counsel before making further hiring decisions.
4. If the Operator intends to proceed to hire a candidate with “Red Flag” offence(s), the Operator MUST notify USSC Safety and Operations at [email protected] and their assigned USSC manager.
5. Operator indicates their decision on the Ankored Background Check requirement, by selecting one of the following:
   • Approve Requirement: proceed to hiring this candidate.
   • Reset Requirement: the candidate manually uploaded a document that does not fulfill this requirement and the Operator would like to give them a chance to run a background check or upload a different document.
   • Disqualify User: the Operator has determined that the candidate’s criminal history is cause for disqualification for employment.

NOTE: US Sports is not the employer or joint-employer of camp staff. All hiring decisions are the responsibility of the Operator. The Ankored platform is intended to support Operators in adhering to safety requirements. Ankored will not automatically send background check results to US Sports Camps.