police jurisdictions have contributed to the delays and challenges in obtaining secure and timely checks. Details of the crimes are no longer available unless you have the applicant go in for fingerprint- ing. These changes have made it more dif- ficult to make an informed decision about the candidate. The changes resulted in a nationwide outcry to Parliament Hill to reconsider these changes. Then, on April 4, we read that leg-


endary sex offender, Graham James, was pardoned for his sex crimes performed in 1997. Canadians,


including Prime


Minister Stephen Harper. were shocked by this news. Many of us are still baffled as to how the systems that should be working for the protection of our children are seemingly making it more difficult. These changes should teach us a very


important lesson: employee screening involves numerous key components. Conducting a background police check is only one of the steps camps need to take to ensure the safety of their campers.


A


ll staff members and volunteers who come in contact with children, youth and vulnerable persons


should be screened. Last summer when I worked at a camp I realized how important this was. I noticed that all staff wore the same uniforms — everyone from the camp counsellors, to maintenance personnel, to the kitchen staff. Everyone looked the same. To a child or a teenager every one of these people would be considered a safe person. Even contract workers wore uni- forms, perhaps not the same uniform, but they all looked official. Some of these staff members worked directly with the chil- dren, while others just worked in the same area. It was critical that every one of these people be screened. For me, it is vital that prior to that


first day of camp, camp directors be noti- fied that the screening process is complete for all personnel. Screening involves an application, background check for staff 16 years of age and older (a CPIC Check and a Vulnerable Sector Scan), a mini- mum of three reference checks for new staff and two reference checks for return- ing staff, interviews (preferably face-to- face), and orientation training. These doc- uments should be retained permanently as there is no statute of limitations on child abuse within Canada. Background checks should be con-


www.canadacampsmag.com


QUICK HITS


What is a CPIC (or Background) Check? A CPIC check is a query of the Identification Data Bank by a police agency using a per- son’s name and date of birth. Checks are available through local police and third-party providers.


What is a Vulnerable Sector Scan (VSS)? Vulnerable people are individuals who are at greater risk of being harmed due to their age, disability or other circumstances. A VSS includes: 1) Local indices check which is a review of local police files/reports; 2) A database is also checked to see if the subject has received a pardon for a crim-


inal offence of a sexual nature. Results can only be released to the applicant by the police. If a record exists, it must be confirmed with fingerprints. Check with your third- party provider as to its ability to process a VSS on your behalf.


What is a Criminal Record Check? Criminal records happen when a person is charged with a crime. In most cases, a per- son charged with a crime has their fingerprints taken and submitted to CCRTIS for classification and entry into the system. The only way to certify that a person has a criminal record is to submit fingerprints to the RCMP’s Civil Fingerprint Screening Services. This service searches the fingerprint database to see if there is a match set of fingerprints. A certificate is then issued that certifies whether or not that person has a criminal record and the details. All checks require the prior written consent of the applicant.


Online Sources www.cpic-cipc.ca/English/crfaq.cfm • www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cr-cj/fing-empr2-eng.htm


ducted annually for summer staff because there is a lapse in their involvement. Original and current documents should also be on file. For year-round staff mem- bers, most insurance companies require the screening be renewed every three years. I have also found it beneficial to


inform the applicant of the process of securing the checks including what the process will include, if either the CPIC check and/or Vulnerable Sector Scan comes back ‘NOT CLEAR.’ If a CPIC check and/or Vulnerable


Sector Scan is returned NOT CLEAR the applicant has two options: 1) obtain a Criminal Record Check, which will reveal details of the convictions; or 2) ask the individual to withdraw their application, based on the fact that you do not know the full extent of the crimes committed. Getting back to Brenda situation, I


took a firm position that day and told her, “Brenda, there can be no exceptions!” With that being said, no one is more


appreciative than the parents of the campers. Providing a safe and winning


environment for campers will position you for success in the eyes of parents.


CC


Melodie Bissell is the president of Winning Kids


(www.winningkidsinc.ca), a


Canadian organization committed to cre- ating winning environments for kids and also winning the race against abuse. She is also the co-author of the best selling book, Plan to Protect, A protection program for children and youth and those that Work with them! The services of Winning Kids include CPIC checks, on-site and on-line training, certification training, policy writ- ing and leadership coaching.


Disclaimer: Discussions, research, devel- opment and distribution of these recom- mendations were undertaken with great care. However, we strongly recommend that you seek legal counsel, as well as counsel from your own insurance compa- ny, who can provide written opinion con- cerning the specifics of your own particu- lar situation. This recommendation is cur- rent as of the date of distribution, and should not constitute legal advice.


Spring 2010 Canada Camps 17


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