HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-15-02
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REPORT
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Date:
General Purpose and Administration Committee
October 7, 2002 Resolution #alf-?'fI-tJ2
Meeting:
Report #: CSD-15-02
File#:
By-law #:
Subject:
VOLUNTEER SCREENING INITIATIVES
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT ReportNo. CSD-15-02 be received for information:
e h P. Caruana
irector of Community Services
ReVieWedbY:O ~~
Franklin Wu
Chief Administrative Officer
JPC/BT/SC
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REPORT NO. CSD.15-Q2
PAGE 2
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 Every year in Ontario more than 2.3 million people deliver programs and services
that contribute positively to the quality of life in communities throughout the
province. In the community recreation sector alone more than 60,000 volunteers
assist in coaching and administering sports, physical activities, and cultural
programs.
1.2 In 1999, the Government of Ontario introduced The Ontario Screening Initiative
in an effort to introduce risk assessment, recruitment and volunteer management
methods designed to screen out potential abusers from the community volunteer
environment and keep program participants safe.
2.0 COMMENT
2.1 The Ontario Screening Initiative has two programs, which are promoted by Parks
and Recreation Ontario and Volunteer Canada titled Ontario Screening Initiative -
Safe Steps; and, Ontario Screening Initiative - Lessons Learned.
2.2 Safe Steps is a half-day session designed for paid and/or volunteer members of
community associations or Community Services/Recreation Departments that
work with children, youth or older adults. The workshop is an orientation to
volunteer screening including its purpose, why it's important, and the ten steps to
, building an effective volunteer screening process.
2.3 Lessons Learned is a full day session, which brings together municipal staff and
local community partners to develop a coordinated screening process for their
community. The workshop builds on the experiences of 6 other municipalities
that have previously experienced the process of exploring how best to introduce
screening into their communities.
2.4 The Community Services Department will be hosting a Safe Steps Workshop on
October 30, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. at Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex.
Community groups and associations will be invited to participate in this
worthwhile session. The Safe Steps session is considered the first step in
implementing a community screening process for these groups and associations.
2.5 It is essential that all community groups be aware this initiative involves
significantly more to volunteer screening thim a police criminal check; and that
community volunteers and coaches have skills to offer the youth of our
community.
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REPORT NO. CSD-1S-D2
PAGE 3
3.0 SUMMARY
3.1 The Community Services Department will continue to monitor this program and
assist community groups through the implementation of the Ontario Screening
Initiative.
3.2 In addition, the Department is investigating the screening process as it applies to
departmental program staff, who work directly with youth.
3.3 Staff will prepare a future report advising on the results of the Safe Steps
Workshop as well as the Screening process for departmental program staff.
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L lC 3A6 T (905) 623-3379 F (905) 623-5506
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