[Andrew Schuetze]

I will add to the chorus that the simple fact that FIRST has established a YPP program and requires mentors/volunteers to be screened does indeed have a small deterrent effect. Does screening make the risk = 0 not at all. Does it help, YES. Does the YPP program include more than screening = yes and more benefit comes from having all mentors and volunteers raising their awareness level.

Here is just one website which supports what FIRST is doing and my claims of just the fact of having a YPP is an overt act of importance.
http://www.mentoring.org/program_res...kground_checks

Informing Prospective Volunteers

Whatever screening tools you choose, always make sure from the start that prospective volunteers know what you require of them. Have a written checklist that you present to volunteers detailing each of the steps they will need to go through. Often, simply having a thorough screening process in place, including a criminal background check, can act as a deterrent against those individuals who may wish to harm a child.

Some prospective volunteers may seem very eager to join your program, but never complete your screening process. There are many reasons why a volunteer might decide not to mentor. Perhaps they are too busy to fill out the forms; they may have decided that mentoring was not right for them; or they may be embarrassed about having a criminal record. Regardless of the reason, every volunteer should complete every one of your screening tools successfully to be considered for your program.