Advanced Techniques for Screening Volunteers

Advanced Techniques for Screening Volunteers Transforming lives through the power of mentoring Friends for Youth’s Mentoring Ins3tute April 2011 Webinar

Webinar Logis:cs •  All aCendees muted for best sound •  “Raise your hand” to be unmuted – works best for telephone or headset‐to‐computer connec3ons – and please monitor background noise •  Type ques3ons and comments in the ques3on box; responses will either be direct to you or shared with all aCendees Sarah Kremer, ATR‐BC Becky Cooper Program Director Execu3ve Director Friends for Youth’s Friends for Youth Mentoring Ins3tute

Slides posted to SlideShare Link and brief survey included in follow‐up email

History of SAFE (Screening Applicants for Eﬀec@veness): Guidelines for Preven@ng Child Molesta@on in Mentoring and Youth Serving Organiza@ons (2006)

Purpose Implementa@on Screening for Pre‐match Eﬀec3veness Assessment Screening for Ongoing Safety Monitoring

Eﬀects of Sexual Abuse   STDs, teen pregnancy, and interference with development of adult sexual behavior   Increased ATOD use and abuse   OCD, PTSD, depression, personality disorders, increased risk of suicide   Con3nua3on of abuse cycle   Social problems with other children and adults   School problems and failure   Chronic illnesses   Costs: $103 billion annually (immediate and long‐term economic impact of child abuse and neglect)

It Happens •  01/11 Bal3more, MD B‐Moor Youth Services Execu3ve Director (charges dropped) •  12/10 Monterey, CA BBBS mentor •  10/10 Bal3more, MD Friendship Academy mentor •  08/10 Franklin, NJ residen3al home counselor/mentor (female) •  08/10 Mobile, AL Mobile Youth Advocate Program mentor •  05/10 Bartow, FL career mentor •  02/10 Danbury, CT Jericho Partnership Execu3ve Director •  01/10 DC Peaceaholics Counselor/Mentor •  11/09 Grand Rapids, MI Public School mentor/advocate •  11/09 St. Paul, MN Public School coach/mentor •  10/09 Buﬀalo, NY caseworker/mentor (registered sex oﬀender) •  08/09 Lakeland, FL church mentor (informal) •  07/09 Tulsa, OK BBBS mentor •  06/09 San Diego, CA church minister/music teacher/volunteer •  01/08 Nashville, TN Big Pal LiCle Pal •  12/06 Boulder, CO Boulder County Partners mentor

Screening Strategies: Tools Informed Intui3on Red Flags Teamwork/Training/Supervision

Screening Strategy This training should not be viewed as the rendering of legal advice and programs are strongly encouraged to consult their legal counsel prior to implemen@ng the recommenda@ons from this workshop

Screening Principles •  Legal right to accept, reject, or terminate candidates at discre3on •  No limita3ons on what informa3on you can ask from volunteers but may be limita3ons on who can view informa3on and how it is stored •  Every candidate must go through same process, regardless of who referred them •  Volunteer applica3on process should be completed and documented before candidate is accepted, with ﬁnal determina3on supported and respected by all •  Ajer candidate is accepted and introduced to mentee, rela3onship must con3nue to be monitored

Screening and Conversion Rates •  8 ‐ 10% inquire match •  25% info session match •  50% interview match •  85% training match

WriCen materials Informed Intui3on External Final documents Decision Observa3ons Impressions

Tools to Gather Data Involve all staﬀ who have interacted Final with candidate Decision •  Personal reac3ons to applicant – nega3ve, uneasy, or intui3ve feelings? •  Does candidate’s interests, mo3va3ons, and overall applica3on material ﬁt with agency’s goals and objec3ves? •  Would you place your own child into care of candidate? SAFE: Volunteer Rejec@on Form

Tools to Gather Data •  Presence Final •  Stability Decision •  Antude •  Ac3ons •  Preferences •  Permanent Disqualiﬁers •  Mi3ga3ng Circumstances

Screening Strategy Non‐nego:able Disqualiﬁer Examples •  Prior history of abuse of children (sexual and otherwise) •  Convic3on of other crime involving children •  History of extreme violence or sexually exploi3ve behavior •  Termina3on from paid/volunteer posi3on because of misconduct with child •  Failure to disclose felony convic3on, especially related to violence, abuse, or children •  DUI within last 3/5/7 years •  Failure to complete applica3on process •  One staﬀ member sense of unease or safety concerns

Screening Strategy Mi:ga:ng Circumstance Examples •  Nature of offense (poses liCle/no risk to children) •  Date of offense •  Level of offense (misdemeanor) •  Result of offense (acquiCal) •  Type of sentence •  Sum of record of offenses •  Comple3on of proba3on/treatment/sobriety period

Informed Intui@on “I have inves3gated hundreds of child predator cases involving thousands of vic3ms. In the case of every single vic3m, there was a woman ‐‐ mother, agency staﬀ, teacher ‐‐ who looked back and said, “I thought something wasn’t right. I had a funny feeling about him.” Detec@ve Steven McEwan, SJPD Child Exploita@on Unit

Intui@on Gut feelings, intui@on, hunch, unconscious intelligence: 1.  judgment appears quickly in consciousness 2.  not fully aware of underlying reasons 3.  strong enough to act upon Has its own ra@onale 1.  Simple rules of thumb/heuris3cs 2.  Evolved (through extended prac3ce) capaci3es of brain Gigerenzer, 2007

Informed Intui@on IDENTIFYING RED FLAGS •  Lack of Balance •  Extreme Behavior •  Inappropriate Behavior •  Over‐Involvement with Children •  Under‐Involvement with Adults •  Focus on Personal Needs •  Unhealthy Antudes •  Problema3c Personal Interests •  Problema3c Background Indicators

Tools to Gather Data •  Interac3ons •  Program Orienta3on •  WriCen Applica3on •  Interview •  Background Checks -  State and Federal -  Sex Oﬀender Registries -  Child Abuse Registry •  Internet Search •  Character References •  DMV Record and Proof of Insurance •  The Diana Screen •  Volunteer Training •  Final Decision •  Ongoing Monitoring and Rescreening

Red Flag: Lack of Balance Examples •  Lack of peer rela3onships •  Excessive in gij giving •  Over‐invested in child/youth •  Overstates problems with child’s family; tries to get agency involved

Tools to Gather Data Extensive face‐to‐face interview covers life from childhood to present, and Interview encompass all facets •  Staﬀ MUST trust their intui3on •  Assess both verbal and non‐verbal communica3on to determine appropriateness SAFE: Sample Volunteer Interview

Tools to Gather Data Ongoing Monitoring Screening process does not end once and volunteer is accepted Rescreening •  Child molesters wait to abuse child un3l they have developed close bond ‐ may take 3me to build •  Includes direct communica3on, observa3ons, and contact with volunteer, child/youth, family, and referring agent and/or school oﬃcials •  Comple3on of certain components of process if volunteering again with diﬀerent mentee

Red Flag: Extreme Behavior Examples •  Very impa3ent with process •  Overly coopera3ve •  Overly coopera3ve with program staﬀ, sharing photos, ou3ngs, calling several 3mes a week to report in •  Very secre3ve about ac3vi3es or who is always too busy to talk for very long

Tools to Gather Data Every step of screening and monitoring process is opportunity to observe Interac:ons candidate •  Maintain database of all inquiries to search for repeat inquiries •  Inappropriate/unusual ques3ons or comments •  Response to screening process and requirements •  Inappropriate behavior with child/youth

Red Flag: Inappropriate Behavior Examples •  Vague about how learned of program •  Concerned with genng agency brochures, posters, t‐ shirts before genng involved •  Ques3ons about overnight trips •  Doesn’t relate to interviewer in socially appropriate way •  Expresses discomfort at informa3on divulged •  Shares inappropriate remarks or jokes •  Overly concerned about child/youth liking him/her or being rejected •  Displays excessive physical contact, “child’s play” •  Has excessive need to discipline child

Tools to Gather Data First visit to agency/introduc3on Program to program Orienta:on or Informa:on •  Detail each screening step and level of monitoring Session •  Include statement that all applica3on material is conﬁden3al and becomes property of agency •  Look for inappropriate or unusual ques3ons or comments •  No3ce any responses to screening process and requirements

Red Flag: Over‐Involvement with Children Examples •  Overly‐involved in teaching, scou3ng, church youth groups, etc. •  Over‐indulges child/youth or unable to set limits •  Involves other boys/girls on ou3ngs when not expected •  Over‐iden3ﬁes with children •  Regresses to child’s level of behavior •  Becomes animated around children •  Finds own mentee and then ask to join program as “pre‐match”

Tools to Gather Data “Googling” or using search engine to Internet ﬁnd more informa3on Searches •  Google.com, Yahoo.com, About.com, Dogpile.com, Ask.com •  Social networking sites or iden33es like Facebook, TwiCer, LinkedIn •  YouTube, blogs, public forums •  Search for appropriateness of “public informa3on” •  Warrants discussion with poten3al mentors ‐ if you can ﬁnd it, mentees can, too!

Red Flag: Under‐Involvement with Adults Examples •  Upon examina3ons, adult connec3ons are superﬁcial •  Lack of adult da3ng experiences or rela3onships •  Diﬃculty providing references that know him/her well •  References are not from same genera3on (much younger or older)

Tools to Gather Data Opportunity to gain addi3onal insight into personality and mo3va3ons Employment & Personal •  Pay aCen3on to tone of voice, nervousness, Character avoidance, etc. References •  Always emphasize conﬁden3ality of conversa3on •  Ask “Would you feel comfortable placing your child in care of this applicant?” SAFE: Sample Volunteer Mentor Reference Check

Red Flags Focus on Personal Needs Examples •  Describes desired match speciﬁcally •  Excessively worries about child liking him/her •  Recently experienced major life change and needs friends in life •  Is looking for direc3on •  Wants to terminate posi3on suddenly without reason •  Treats mentee as an adult companion

Tools to Gather Data Formal submission of informa3on WriNen Applica:on •  Star3ng point for learning about applicant’s values and mo3va3ons, to be followed up on during interview •  Check for comple3on, gaps in proﬁle, 3mely submission, content, and signature SAFE: Sample Volunteer Wri]en Applica@on

Red Flag: Unhealthy A^tudes Examples •  Believes children should be treated as equals to adults •  Express revulsion or extremely judgmental antude about homosexuality •  Wants to be one to teach child/youth about sex educa3on •  Pushes boundaries of rela3onship by pushing excessive cleanliness or hygiene •  Overstates problems with child’s family; tries to get agency involved

Tools to Gather Data Enables agency to provide data, training, and feedback related to situa3ons candidates may Pre‐Match Training encounter •  Inappropriate/unusual ques3ons or comments •  Response to scenarios presented and agency policies and procedures •  Ability to be ﬂexible yet hold boundaries SAFE: Volunteer Code of Conduct SAFE: Volunteer Roles and Responsibili@es

Tools to Gather Data New online screening tool proven eﬀec3ve at The Diana screening general popula3on to iden3fy those Screen who are sexual risk to children   Strengthen system of screening to reduce risk of sexual harm to children   Screens for men and women who have beliefs about rights of adults to have sexual contact with children and teens   Will not protect children from other adults/older children who may be sexually inappropriate and will not protect organiza3on from these sexually inappropriate adults/older children   Abel Screening www.dianascreen.com

Red Flag: Problema@c Personal Interests Examples •  Gives vague answers when asked about interests (i.e., hang out . . .) •  Expresses strong interest in camping, hun3ng, hiking, backpacking, etc. •  Interests are outside of immediate community •  Reveals strong interest in photography or video produc3on •  Child/youth complains about too much sedentary 3me (i.e., watching TV)

Tools to Gather Data Ongoing Monitoring Involving Parents/Caregivers and •  Contact on regular basis Rescreening •  Ask same ques3ons as mentor and mentee •  Reassure about contac3ng with concerns •  Educate about safety issues and protec3ons

Red Flag: Problema@c Background Indicators Examples •  History of being abused, neglected, or sexually vic3mized •  Police record, even if seemingly unrelated to crimes against children •  Has history of alcohol abuse or regular alcohol or drug use •  Has history of depression •  Has military history, especially if discharged

Tools to Gather Data DMV Record Important for both client safety and and agency liability concerns, most Insurance importantly, history of drinking and driving   hCp://www.dmv.org/driving‐records.php   Vehicle Code Viola3ons at DMV oﬃce or online   No universal form or instruc3ons

Tools to Gather Data Fingerprin@ng Background Checks State‐ and federal‐level ﬁngerprint‐based •  Na3onal Criminal Informa3on Center (NCIC) regulated by FBI •  hCp://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/sclist.asp for other state agency informa3on

Tools to Gather Data Sex Offender Registries Background Checks Megan’s Law allows individuals to verify registered sex offenders by loca3on or name   hCp://www.nsopr.org for Dru Sjodin Na3onal Sex Offender Registry   hCp://www.klaaskids.org/pg‐legmeg.htm for informa3on on other state registries

Tools to Gather Data Child Abuse History Registry Background •  Na3onal Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Checks Neglect Informa3on (NCCANI) hCp://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/ laws_policies/state/ •  May or may not have access to informa3on collected by state agencies •  Partner with agency that has access

SafetyNET 2004 ‐ 2008, 50,000 background checks processed •  6.1% had criminal records of concern •  Even though applicants knew background check would be performed, over 50% of those with criminal record indicated that they did NOT have one SafetyNET Pilot Program Manual h]p://www.mentoring.org/safetynet

Perpetrators In System Convicted Arrested Inves3gated Accused or Iden3ﬁed Never Accused or Iden3ﬁed

Remember that ﬁngerprin3ng is just tool to iden3fy individuals who have actually been caught, but it does not guarantee safety of youth in program

Law Enforcement If convicted sex oﬀender applies to volunteer, can report California State Viola3ons •  290.95(a)Pc(misd) Any 290 registrant shall disclose status as registrant upon applica3on to any employment or volunteer assignment with children •  290.95(b)Pc(misd) Any 290 registrant convicted of crime involving minor shall not be employed or volunteer around children in unaccompanied senng

Red Flag: Problema@c Background Indicators Examples •  Applied/was not accepted or “didn’t like” other local youth‐serving programs •  Con3nues to see children that met through other programs •  Has history of moving from job to job or place to place •  Has job which requires moving or traveling extensively, especially overseas •  Lives out of service area •  Has held many lower‐echelon jobs with no ambi3on for responsibility or advancement

Tools to Gather Data Addi3onal pieces of informa3on Other Screening Health/disease screening (e.g., TB test)   Mechanisms   Drug/alcohol screening   Psychological tests ‐‐ be sure to have appropriately trained staﬀ/consultants   In‐home visits

Teamwork •  Impera3ve every staﬀ is suﬃciently trained in assessing volunteers •  Feels comfortable sharing feelings and observa3ons without fear of dismissal •  If one team member feels uncomfortable about applicant, enough of reason for rejec3on

Staff Training •  Child Abuse and Mandated Reporter training -  local Child Abuse Preven3on Council •  Ini3al shadowing of more‐experienced staff •  Thorough documenta3on training •  Resource list of services available in your community •  Latest research and literature on child molesters -  Internet predators -  Red Flags -  appropriate handling of specific situa3ons

Supervision Ongoing supervision ensures quality service •  Supervisors can be more experienced staﬀ if manager is not available •  Discuss problems, address concerns, and help solve problems •  Ask overlooked ques3ons or make note of what may seem to be outside of the realm of normal or expected Red Flags

Learn from Failure When match is terminated due to rela3onship issues •  Cri3cal view of mentor and mentee – why did it fail? •  Reexamine applica3on materials – were there any ﬂags missed? •  Apply new knowledge – how will you do things diﬀerently in future?

Never be afraid to reject volunteer ‐ it is about ﬁnding right ﬁt and, ul3mately, safety of youth

Webinar Special Order SAFE online at www.mentoringins3tute.org and use promo code CAPMONTH to receive 50% oﬀ!

2nd April Webinar hCp://www.friendsforyouth.org/Webinars.html The Diana Screen – An Eﬀec:ve Screening Tool To Reduce Sexual Risk To Children Thursday, April 21, 2011 10:00 am – 11:15 am PDT

Ques3ons?

Thank you! Slides posted to SlideShare Link and brief survey included in follow‐up email

www.mentoringins:tute.org 650‐559‐0200 hCp://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends‐for‐Youth/105093182858863 hCp://twiCer.com/friendsforyouth hCp://www.friendsforyouth.blogspot.com/ hCp://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsforYouthOrg

Advanced Techniques for Screening Volunteers

by Friends for Youth, Inc. on Apr 19, 2011

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Advanced Techniques for Screening Volunteers — Presentation Transcript