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Commissioners adopt SafeSport-based recreation policy requiring SBI background checks for youth-facing staff and volunteers
Summary
The board adopted a recreation department policy that implements state-required SBI background checks and recommends SafeSport training and protocols for staff and volunteers who work with minors; implementation will align with the next sports season and requires coordination with HR and department directors.
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners adopted a new recreation department policy that requires state-style SBI background checks for individuals who work with children in county-run programs and incorporates SafeSport protocols for training and abuse-prevention practices.
County attorney Gore Eggers told the board the General Assembly enacted a requirement effective Oct. 1 that background checks for people working with youth be conducted by the SBI, and he recommended adopting SafeSport’s prevention and training guidelines as a local implementation standard. “SafeSport is a congressionally chartered nonprofit that oversees the United States Olympic and Paralympic movements,” Eggers said, describing SafeSport as a widely used model and the recommended “gold standard” for youth-sports safeguarding.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about retroactive checks for existing employees, consent forms, confidentiality of results under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, who will manage records, reporting timelines for charges or convictions, and whether the policy will require HR or department directors to coordinate implementation. Staff clarified that SafeSport training would be phased in by program as sports seasons begin and that Miss Scheffler (custodian of records in the recreation office) will consolidate background-check documentation for HR review.
The board adopted the policy with clarifying language requested by commissioners and directed staff to align the implementation schedule so coaches and volunteers for the winter and youth basketball seasons are processed promptly. The policy applies to employees, coaches, assistant coaches and volunteers who participate in supervisory or mentoring roles with minors; parents and spectators seated in the stands are not covered unless they take on an active role on the field or in coaching duties.
Officials said department directors will be responsible for sending rosters of coaches and volunteers to the recreation office so the required training and checks can be scheduled and tracked.
