Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service: Safer Practices, November 9, 2015

(2015) Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service: Safer Practices, November 9, 2015. Governor's Office

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Abstract

On January 22, 2014, Governor Terry E. Branstad announced that the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS) and the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) would lead a stakeholder group tasked with developing ways to streamline and improve the background check process for volunteers in organizations and schools serving vulnerable populations throughout Iowa. This stakeholder group was comprised of representatives from organizations across Iowa that engage volunteers to serve vulnerable populations. Through a series of meetings and discussions, the group developed guidance for volunteer organizations who are interested in adopting safer practices in their programs that serve vulnerable populations. The guidance suggests decision making models and provides direction regarding what information is available, how the information could be accessed, and how the information might be used in determining whether a prospective volunteer is a good fit for the vulnerable population being served. The information also can be useful to organizations that serve other populations, but the focus of the stakeholder group was on minimizing risk for vulnerable persons. The guidance is not designed to set any standards for background investigations, or to establish minimum requirements. Each organization is in the best position to determine standards for their own organization. The framework for decision making is designed to assist organizations in making informed decisions regarding their selection of volunteers to serve vulnerable populations.