Background Screening

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT Background check for USASF program owners, coaches, personnel and adult athletes*

The United States All Star Federation has taken important steps to ensure the highest level of safety within our All Star member organizations. One of these steps is the background screening for anyone age 18 years or older who accompanies a team into a warm-up or backstage area at all USASF-sanctioned events. This includes owners, coaches, volunteers and non-coaching staff members associated with a program. Additionally, adult athletes* on open teams are required to be screened before eligibility status is granted.

The United States All Star Federation is proud to partner with the National Center for Safety Initiatives, which facilitates all background screenings of our adult members. This includes a comprehensive screening program using NCSI's full-service product and a simple red light/green light determination report issued in accordance with the criteria chosen by the USASF. Only those applicants receiving a green light report will be considered for eligible membership.   

*Adult Athletes: The USASF member database calculates age as of December 31, 2020. Background checks are an eligibility requirement for adult athletes on open teams. Adult athletes are 19 years and older, or will be as of December 31, 2020.

Pre-employment and Pre-appointment screening for employees and volunteers at USASF member programs

The USASF member eligibility screening is secondary to the pre-employment/pre-appointment application, screening and background check requirements outlined in the USASF Sexual Abuse and Prevention Policy. The policy, which has been accepted by all USASF member programs (also referred to as member clubs), outlines the following:

EMPLOYEE HIRING and VOLUNTEER APPOINTMENT PROCESS

APPLICATION: Each individual that may have the opportunity to interact with youth must complete our organization's written application that sets forth appropriate background information, requires disclosure of any prior claims or allegations of sexual abuse or other inappropriate conduct, and provides the names of at least two individuals as references.

SCREENING: A designated representative(s) of the organization will interview each prospective employee and volunteer.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Prior to interacting with minors, any potential employee or volunteer will be subject to a background check, including appropriate inquiries regarding any previous record of sexual abuse or other unlawful activity. This background check will be updated at least every two (2) years for each employee or volunteer. All current employees and volunteers are required to update their background check every two (2) years. This is in addition to the required screening by the U.S. All Star Federation for all eligibility as program owners, coaches and personnel at USASF-sanctioned events.

It is important to note that each screening serves a separate purpose:

PRIMARY SCREENING - Pre-employment | Pre-appointment 
The primary screening, which is to be done by the member club prior to an adult interacting with minors, is required as a condition of club membership in the USASF. It is one step in a three-step process for the club owner or director to determine if an individual is suitable to work with youth. While the USASF cannot dictate which screening process the club owner chooses to use, we do recommend that the club owner follow any local or state requirements for clearance to work with youth. If a local or state-wide clearance does not exist, we recommend the owner research and utilize the most comprehensive and thorough screening available to them, including screens that use fingerprint-based searches when reliable and available. If the owner needs guidance in selecting the process that is most in line with the standard of care in their area, we recommend contacting legal counsel or researching what is required of similar positions in the area, such as teachers, coaches, bus drivers and day care workers.

SECONDARY SCREENING - Membership Eligibility 
The secondary screening, which is done during the membership application and eligibility process with the USASF, serves to establish criteria that would disqualify from membership those persons who have something in their background that would preclude them from working with children. The USASF's screening is consistent with the standards used by similar youth serving organizations, sport organizations and governing bodies.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR SAFETY INITIATIVES

The National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) is the only national background screening services specifically dedicated to the protection of children. NCSI is the choice of many of the most renowned and reputable organizations and corporations in the world including the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

NCSI's background screening programs are recognized as the "Standard of Care" in the youth-serving industry. NCSI was formed in partnership with the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS), with the goal of significantly increasing the level of safety for our youth.

The U.S. All Star Federation has elected to implement the same comprehensive screening that the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee requires all National Governing Bodies to follow for members involved with minor athletes. NCSI applies the USPOC Guidelines to its background screening, focusing its efforts, systems, and expertise directly into seven identified risk factors using multiple vendors to ensure client organizations will meet and exceed due diligence. The screening includes:

• Two multi-jurisdictional criminal database searches covering 50 states plus D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico with more than 500 million records per provider
• Two SOR (Sex Offender Registries)database searches of all states plus D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico
• Social Security Number validation
• Name and Address history records
• OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) federal terrorist database search
• Local level searches – County Criminal Records search for name used and county where the individual currently lives or has lived during the past 7 years (up to 3 included)
• Federal District Courts searches – For name used and district where the individual currently lives or has lived during the past 7 years (up to 3 included)
• Automatic re-check at 12 months of multi-jurisdictional national database and SOR
• Multiple National Watch Lists

BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS

NCSI handles ALL aspects of the screening process from start to finish saving time, money and the legal issues associated with the many liabilities involved in background screening. NCSI helps organizations meet and exceed due diligence by navigating them through the complex maze of ethical, legal and financial challenges.

The USASF offers two options for our organization members:

OPTION 1: Direct Processing

Owners, coaches & adult athletes 21 years of age or older affiliated with their program will apply directly through their membership portal by clicking START BACKGROUND CHECK on their dashboard.
Personnel age 18 and older will receive an "Invite" from the Program Admin through the personnel list in the program profile.
Each applicant pays NCSI directly for their background screening.
NCSI shares the Red Light/Green Light report with the USASF.
USASF updates the coach/owner profile to indicate a Green Light report was issued.
The applicant is upgraded to an eligible member as long as all other membership requirements have been met
The USASF is not permitted to share any information provided on the background screening

OPTION 2: Club Account Processing
Many organizations prefer to have an account with NCSI to manage their internal process for background screenings of their employees, potential employees and volunteers. With a club account, the member organization has access to the complete record for all applicants who apply using the organization’s self-registration number.

The USASF member organization must first set up a club account with the National Council of Safety Initiative [see below: HOW TO SET UP A CLUB ACCOUNT].
The applicant applies directly through the NCSI portal using the organization’s self registration number
NCSI shares the Red Light/Green Light report with the Club Organization
The applicant must then SHARE their report with the USASF [see below: INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLUB SHARE TO USASF].
USASF updates the coach/owner profile to indicate a Green Light report was issued

Important Items to note for Option 2:

The Club Account grants the USASF member organization full access to the Red Light/Green Light Report.
The Club Account provides the USASF Member Organization flexibility with payment options (the Club organization can pay for background screenings or have applicants pay NCSI directly)

HOW TO SET UP A CLUB ACCOUNT

Contact John Miller, Senior Client Services Manager with NCSI:
Email: JohnM@ncsisafe.com
Toll Free: (866) 833-7100 x109
Phone: (440) 542-9690
Indicate that you are with the USASF and would like to set up a Club Account with Club Share to the USASF.

If you set up a CLUB ACCOUNT it is important that you instruct your employees as follows:

They MUST enter YOUR Club Account self -registration number on the NCSI site.
Once the applicant's determination has been returned to your organization - the coach MUST log into their USASF member profile and click START BACKGROUND CHECK to SHARE their determination with the USASF. For Personnel, your program administrator will log into your USASF program profile and will SEND BACKGROUND CHECK INVITE to the personnel needing to share their screening. The coach or personnel will follow the on-screen prompts, answer all the questions, give permissions to share with the USASF and submit their request to share. They will not be asked to pay again.

You are responsible for informing your employees of the steps they must take to complete the background screening process AND share their screening with the USASF.

BACKGROUND SCREENING FEES

The fee for each screening is $21.25 which includes the screen fee of $20 and a processing fee of $1.25. Each applicant will pay this fee themselves unless a Club Account administrator provides them with a self-registration number that is tied to the organization pay Club Account. Occasionally there will be counties that require additional fees. The applicant is responsible for all fees associated with their background screening.

HOW TO COMPLETE A BACKGROUND SCREENING

Owners, Coaches and Adult Athletes (21 or older as of December 31, 2020)

Log in to your profile at USASFmembers.net.
On your MY PROFILE, go to DASHBOARD.
Click START BACKGROUND CHECK.
Proceed with the screening application as prompted.
Make payment.
A confirmation email will be sent to you once your screening has been submitted. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your screening has not been submitted.
Once NCSI renders the determination, it will post directly to the profile.

Personnel (non-coaching adults that interact with minors)
Before a background check can be initiates for a personnel member, the program administrator must send a background screening invite:

From the program's membership portal, go to PERSONNEL.
Select the individual(s) for whom you wish to initiate a background check.
Click SEND BACKGROUND CHECK INVITE.
The personnel member will need to log into their email and follow the instructions included.
Please note: The invitation email is SPECIFIC to the the individual recipient. They must follow that link so that their personnel profile may be updated once NCSI has rendered the determination.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW

Read all instructions on all pages before completing anything or agreeing to any terms or conditions
NCSI will contact you directly if there are any questions, problems or issues related to your specific information.
An email address is required when completing the background check as our contact with you will largely be electronic.
Add ncsisafe.com to your list of acceptable domains in your email program to receive notifications from us.
The background check generally takes 10 business days to complete.
You may check your status on our website under the "Check Your Background Screening Status" link at www.ncsisafe.com

QUESTIONS OR ASSISTANCE

If you have any questions or problems submitting your information, contact NCSI directly:

Email: applicantservices@ncsisafe.com
Phone: (440) 542-9833
Toll free: (866) 833-7100

For technical support with your USASF profile, contact greenlight@usasf.net.

BACKGROUND CHECK TERM

Background checks will be valid for two, single-year membership terms, expiring on July 31 two years from the year of completion. Example: A background check completed April 10, 2020 will expire July 31, 2022 AND a background check completed November 1, 2020 will expired on July 31, 2022 as it pertains to the USASF qualifications for professional membership

It is important to note that NCSI runs a re-check application on the 12-month anniversary of each applicant's initial screening. If something in the applicant's history were to change and NCSI were to issue a red light, the member would no longer be eligible for membership within the USASF.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLUB SHARE TO THE USASF (or USASF share to their Club)

After the National Council for Safety Initiatives returns a GREEN LIGHT determination, the applicant must then AUTHORIZE SHARING their determination to the USASF.

Share from CLUB ACCOUNT (Club Account) to USASF:

Owners, Coaches & Adult Athletes

Go to usasfmembers.net
Log into your member profile
Click "Start Background Screening Now."
Select "no" when asked "Is this your first time doing a background screen with NCSI?"
Identify yourself by entering your name, DOB and SSN or Applicant ID and DOB when asked
Sign the consent form

Personnel

Program logs into usasfmembers.net and sends background check invite link to personnel's email
Personnel follows the link in their email
Select "no" when asked "Is this your first time doing a background screen with NCSI?"
Identify yourself by entering your name, DOB and SSN or Applicant ID and DOB when asked
Once they have established who you are it will take you to a screen to sign consent to share this information with the USASF – sign and complete

Share from USASF to CLUB ACCOUNT:

If you have previously completed a background check with the USASF Direct Processing Portal and you would like to share the determination with a CLUB ACCOUNT, follow the instructions below are the instructions for the share from USAF to a club:

Go to www.ncsisafe.com and
Click "Start Background Screening Now."
Enter the 8-digit self registration number for the club
Select "no" when asked "Is this your first time doing a background screen with NCSI?"
Identify yourself by entering your name, DOB and SSN or Applicant ID and DOB when asked
Sign the consent form

CRITERION OFFENSES

Background Screening Criterion Offenses
A reportable record or disclosure that contains a disposition or resolution of a criminal proceeding, other than an adjudication of not guilty, or the existence of pending charges, for any of the below criminal offenses will be flagged as a Red Light Review, meaning it does not meet the initial screening criteria and the individual will be subject to the USASF’s policies and procedures to determine the individual’s level of access and involvement with regard to athlete interactions, USASF member facilities and Sanctioned Events (as defined below):

Any felony; and
Any misdemeanor involving:
1. All sexual crimes, criminal offenses of a sexual nature to include but not limited to; rape, child molestation, sexual battery, lewd conduct, possession and distribution of child pornography, possession and distribution of obscene material, prostitution, indecent exposure, public indecency, and any sex offender registrant;
2. Any drug-related offenses;
3. Harm to a minor, including, but not limited to, offenses such as child abandonment, child endangerment/neglect/abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and DUI with a minor;
4. Violence against a person, force, or threat of force (including crimes involving deadly weapons and domestic violence);
5. Stalking, harassment, blackmail, violation of a protection order, and/or threats;
6. Destruction of property, including arson, vandalism, and criminal mischief; and
7. Animal abuse, cruelty, or neglect.

Criminal offenses include "Attempted Crimes" in the above classifications.

Applicants will be asked the following questions during the process and will respond with a YES or NO:

Have you ever been convicted, or do you have a pending charge, of a felony?
Have you ever been convicted, or do you have a pending charge, of any lesser crime involving force or threat of force against a person?
Have you ever been convicted, or do you have a pending charge, of any lesser crime of a sexual nature or classified as a sex offense including but not limited to "victimless" crimes of a sexual nature such as prostitution, pornography, indecent exposure
Have you ever been convicted, or do you have a pending charge, of a lesser crime involving controlled substances (not paraphernalia or alcohol)?
Have you ever been convicted, or do you have a pending charge, of a lesser crime involving cruelty to animals?
Are you a sex offender registrant?
Have you ever been convicted, or do you have a pending charge, of a lesser crime involving harm to a minor?

NCSI Notice of County Delays

Client Advisory: Register Early for Screening To Avoid Delays
  We wanted to let you know that there are several court jurisdictions that are experiencing delays in returning criminal history information due to staff furloughs and reductions or other issues with their reporting systems. Listed below the most notable courts, some of which can take up to four weeks to return their county report.

New Hampshire 
California, including but not limited to San Luis Obispo , Shasta, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Fresno, Sutter 
Washington State 
Maine  West Virginia 
Michigan 
Worcester Massachusetts – six weeks

Therefore, anything you can do to have your registrants start their screening earlier will help to ensure that they're available when required.