Required Volunteer Coach Background Checks

These policies are instituted in an effort to keep your children safe. Below is directly from our approved GCAC by-laws:

XII. YOUTH PROGRAMS

 a. Background Clearances

  i. Anyone working directly in a coaching capacity within any GCAC youth program (e.g., elementary cross country practices, elementary track and field practices) are required to successfully pass the following two background checks:

    1. Act 34 (Pennsylvania State Police – Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History)

      a. Website: https://epatch.state.pa.us/

      b. Click: New Record Check (Volunteers Only) – this should be free.

      c. Email a copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and also present the certificate to the GCAC Secretary.

    2. Act 151 (Child Abuse – Pennsylvania Child Welfare Information Solution)

      a. Website: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis

      b. Create Individual Account or Individual Login (if you already have one)

      c. Reason: Volunteer – Other – Grove City Athletics Club (This process should be free)

      d. Email a copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and also present the certificate to the GCAC Secretary.

    3. Exception: These two above clearances may be substituted with proof of current USA Track & Field (USATF) “Coaches Registry and Safe Sport” certification, which requires a national background check.

      a. Website: http://www.usatf.org/Resources-for---/Coaches/Coaches-Registry/Coaches-Registry.aspx

      b. Email a copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and also present the certificate to the GCAC Secretary.

  ii. Background clearances must be validated/repeated every five years for each individual.

  iii. Background clearances are not required to volunteer at GCAC youth competitions (e.g., cross country races, track and field meets, road races, etc.) as private one-on-one interaction with youth at these events is unlikely.

  b. First Aid and CPR Certification

  i. Current First Aid/CPR certification is required for all “head” GCAC youth coaches.

  ii. The “head” coach should make sure that a First Aid/CPR certified individual is present when he/she is absent.

  c. Coaching Code of Ethics

  i. All coaches and volunteers agree to abide by the RRCA “Coaching Code of Ethics”.

    1. Website: https://www.rrca.org/our-programs-services/programs/coaching-program/ethics

    2. Coaching Standards: Competence, Integrity, Professional Responsibility, Respect for Participants and Dignity, Concern for Others’ Welfare, Coaches Do Not Misuse Their Influence, Responsible Coaching, and Resolving Ethical Issues.

  ii. Coaches or volunteers found breaking this code or behaving inappropriately otherwise may be dismissed from coaching/volunteering duties and/or the GCAC by majority vote of the Board.

d. Coaching Certifications

  i. While not required, anyone working within the youth programs are encouraged to attain a coaching certification such as USA Track and Field (http://www.usatf.org/Resources-for---/Coaches.aspx) or the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Coaching Certification (https://www.rrca.org/our-programs-services/programs/coaching-program).

e. The Secretary will maintain these certificates and update a list of GCAC members passing these clearances/certifications, including expiration dates of each.