Requirement

All ACA staff, core race staff, coaches and other ACA community members with either management positions OR direct interaction with youth must consent to, and complete, an annual criminal background check.

Please initiate your annual background check within the CCN registration system at least 28 days prior to your anticipated first ACA activity as a coach or other volunteer. Many county courts and state justice departments have significant delays impacting background check turn-around times. While 94% of background checks a 3-day turn-around, the remaining 6% can take 1 – 6 months depending on the counties and/or states where a coach applicant has lived. If you are still waiting for a background check after 28 days please contact coachlicensing@arizonacycling.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ACA uses an established and annually reviewed table of crimes (sample below). The table includes which crimes disqualify a person from holding the role of an ACA coach or other ACA leadership position for a given amount of time or indefinitely.

The Sterling Volunteers background check is based on searches using an applicants name, date of birth, address history and, if applicable, social security number (not collected/required on years 2-6).  The search consists of a Social Security Number and Trace, National Criminal Database search, National Sex Offender Registry database search, and International Essential Report.

The fee to a coach is: Year 1 – $38, Years 2-6 – $11, Year 7 – $38.

No. Because of privacy concerns and requirements imposed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, there is significant reluctance to share information between organizations. There is no national clearinghouse for this type of information, nor is there a standard criteria by which search reports are evaluated. Two employers may make different hiring decisions based on the same information. Likewise, various youth organizations use different criteria to determine eligibility for membership.

Typical background checks take 2-3 business days, but sometimes may take 14 days or more depending on the jurisdictions being searched. Due to the length of time it takes to complete a background check, we recommend initiating the background check process as soon as possible once you have access to CCN. You will receive an email directly from Sterling Volunteers confirming when your background check is complete.

No.

Yes, if you have passed a Sterling Volunteer “Complete” background check one year or less prior to your CCN registration, we will accept this as a year 1 background check.

You may appeal the Background Check Committee’s interpretation of your criminal history in writing within 30 days of not passing your background check. To initiate your appeal please complete this form. The following may be included within your appeal:

  1. Affirmation that the background check results viewable within your Sterling Volunteers account are accurate. You may dispute the accuracy of your background check results with Sterling Volunteers directly via ACA@sterlingvolunteers.com.
  2. A brief statement describing the basis of your appeal request.*
  3. Police reports and/or court documents associated with each law enforcement contact listed on your criminal history.*
  4. Additional information regarding your criminal history as it relates to the role of an ACA coach.*

*Note: all shared documents will be stored in a folder accessible to members of the ACA Background Check Committee.

In the event that a background screening returns information that the applicant believes to be inaccurate, they will have the opportunity to dispute that information directly with Sterling Volunteers via ACA@sterlingvolunteers.com.

The ACA considers the following dispositions and statuses when considering the contents of a background check:

  1. In the process of being resolved by the courts: Withheld Adjudication, Disposition Pending, Pending Adjudication, Deferred Adjudication; AND/OR
  2. With a final disposition of: Conviction, Guilty, No Contest, Nolo Contender, Dismissed without prejudice, Nolle Prosequi (IF Guilty Plea attached), Nolle Prossed-standalone (IF Guilty Plea attached), Dismissed without prejudice IF: related to Domestic Charges, Sex-related crimes or Charges involving Children, Failure to File, Plea In Abeyance, Unknown; AND/OR
  3. Other disposition equivalent to any of the prior dispositions

Please fill out this form and you will receive a reply within 2 weeks.

Disqualifying Criminal Offenses

The ACA Background Check Committee’s objective is to provide a safe, fair and fun community for all ACA community members. The background check review process flags criminal offenses inappropriate for an adult leader in a youth development organization. The predefined time required to have passed since a criminal offense occurred is based on the type, severity and victim of the crime (see table below).

Criminal offenses disclosed by the applicant or included in a Sterling Volunteers background check will be considered by the ACA Background Check Committee.

In certain instances, the ACA Background Check Committee will disqualify volunteers who have been arrested for a crime, even if the arrest later results in no charges being filed. The ACA Background Check Committee casts no judgment about any of the allegations and/or accusations in these instances.

SEX OFFENSES

Persons receiving dispositions of “convicted” or equivalent for sex offenses at any time will be permanently disqualified from volunteering in the ACA. These crimes include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Bigamy
  • Child Pornography
  • Criminal Sexual Abuse
  • Criminal Sexual Assault
  • Criminal Transmission of HIV
  • Distribution/Sale of Pornography to a Minor
  • Incest
  • Indecent Exposure
  • Indecent Solicitation of a Child
  • Keeping a Place of Prostitution
  • Lewd and Lascivious Behavior
  • Obscene Phone Calls
  • Obscenity
  • Pandering
  • Pimping
  • Prostitution
  • Public Indecency
  • Sex with a Minor
  • Sexual Exploitation of a Child
  • Solicitation of a Sexual Act

VIOLENT CRIMES AND SERIOUS CRIMES AGAINST A PERSON

Persons receiving dispositions of “convicted” or equivalent for crimes of violence or other serious crimes against a person will be disqualified from coaching the 20 years after being charged with the following:

  • Aggravated Assault
  • Aggravated Battery with Firearm
  • Armed Robbery
  • Arson
  • Assault
  • Attempted Murder
  • Battery
  • Blackmail
  • Cruelty to Animals
  • Domestic Battery
  • Extortion
  • Hate Crime
  • Hit and Run Causing Injury/Death
  • Home Invasion
  • Kidnapping
  • Murder
  • Possession of Explosives
  • Reckless Homicide
  • Robbery
  • Second Degree Murder
  • Solicitation for Murder
  • Stalking
  • Tampering with Food or Drugs
  • Terrorism
  • Threatening Public Officials
  • Treason
  • Unlawful Restraint
  • Vehicular Carjacking
  • Vehicular Endangerment
  • Violation of Order of Protection

VIOLENT CRIMES AND SERIOUS CRIMES AGAINST A PERSON

Persons receiving dispositions of “convicted” or equivalent for crimes of violence or other serious crimes against a person will be disqualified from coaching the 10 years after being charged with the following:

  • Battery (misdemeanor)
  • Negligent Homicide
  • Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated

LESS SERIOUS CRIMES AGAINST A PERSON

Persons receiving dispositions of “convicted” or equivalent for less serious crimes against a person will be disqualified from coaching the 5 years after being charged with the following:

  • Criminal Threats of Death/Bodily Harm
  • Harassment
  • Harassment of Jurors or Witnesses
  • Intimidation
  • Simple Assault
  • Violation of Restraining Order

SERIOUS SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRIMES

Persons receiving dispositions of “convicted” or equivalent for crimes of serious substance abuse or other miscellaneous crimes will be disqualified from coaching the 10 years after being charged with the following:

  • Abuse of Prescription Medicines
  • Criminal Drug Conspiracy
  • Distribution of Alcohol to Minors
  • Illegal Transportation of Controlled Substances
  • Possession of Illegal Substances
  • Possession of Marijuana, more than one ounce
  • Sale or Manufacture of Illegal Substances

MISCELLANEOUS SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRIMES

Persons receiving dispositions of “convicted” or equivalent for crimes of substance abuse or other miscellaneous crimes will be disqualified from coaching the 5 years after being charged with the following:

  • Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Sale of Alcohol to a Minor

MISCELLANEOUS CRIMES

Persons receiving dispositions of “convicted” or equivalent for serious miscellaneous crimes will be disqualified from coaching the 5 years after being charged with the following:

  • Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm
  • Concealing or Aiding a Fugitive
  • Criminal Damage to Property
  • Criminal Trespass
  • Discrimination in Sale of Real Estate
  • Environmental Crimes
  • Gunrunning
  • Hit and Run with Damage
  • Identity Switching
  • Illegal Gambling
  • Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer
  • Interference with Judicial Proceeding
  • Legislative Misconduct
  • Obstructing Justice
  • Perjury
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Tampering with Public Records
  • Unlawful Possession of Weapons
  • Unlawful Sale of Firearms
  • Unlawful Use of Body Armor
  • Unlawful Use, Sale, or Discharge of a Metal Piercing Bullet
  • Vandalism

*Generally speaking, any aggravated offense or weapons offense could also be lumped into a serious crime category, even if it’s the 5 year restriction.

TRAFFIC/CONDUCT CRIMES

Persons receiving dispositions of “convicted” or equivalent for serious traffic or conduct related crimes will be disqualified from coaching the 3 years after being charged with the following crimes:

  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Disturbing the Peace
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Driving While Ability Impaired
  • Driving without a License/Insurance
  • Drunk in Public
  • Indecent Exposure*
  • Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Operating Under the Influence
  • Public Indecency*
  • Reckless Conduct
  • Reckless Driving
  • Repeated Traffic Offenses in a short window
  • Wet and Reckless Driving

*If determined by courts NOT related to a sex offense.

Persons convicted of traffic or other conduct crimes within the preceding 3 years may be accepted for other non-coaching and non-management volunteer positions that do not require a background check.

Background Check Process In-Depth Information

All ACA staff, core race staff, coaches and other ACA community members with either management positions OR direct interaction with youth must consent to, and complete, a background check. Consent shall be in the form applicable to all state and federal laws. To conduct volunteer background checks, the ACA Background Check Committee will be outsourcing to a national Consumer Reporting Agency.  Adherence to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) will be followed. Under the FCRA, each volunteer will be provided a disclosure and authority to release information in a document that consists solely of the disclosure.  A copy of the FCRA Summary of Rights will also be provided to every volunteer. If the ACA Background Check Committee makes a decision not to accept a volunteer based wholly or partially on information contained in the background check report, the committee will follow the Pre-Adverse and Adverse action steps as outlined in the FCRA.  All requested information must be provided by the applicant, including Social Security number, driver license number (or other government issued photo I.D. if the applicant does not drive) and date of birth.

Criminal background checks are performed on an ongoing basis throughout the year. To ensure compliance with all applicable laws, the ACA Background Check Committee members are the only people authorized to initiate, review or have access to criminal background. In all cases, the results of any criminal background check must be kept strictly confidential.

The Notice of Duty to Review Criminal Record process is initiated by the ACA Background Check Committee. When a negative determination is made, a copy of the criminal conviction report received by the ACA Background Check Committee is sent by Sterling Volunteers.

Any application form that does not contain honest answers or that misrepresents the number, type or gravity of any such conviction(s) will not be approved irrespective of the nature of the offense or the time that has transpired since the conviction.

Any person convicted of a crime against or otherwise involving a minor at any time in the past will not be approved to be a volunteer.

Evidence of multiple convictions, either felony or misdemeanor, are likely to also result in a negative determination. Where a conviction is remote in time or where the applicant’s conduct since the conviction(s) indicates rehabilitation or lack of risk to the organization and the program, some leeway may be provided, but only with the concurrence of the ACA Background Check Committee.

When a negative determination is made, or if there are issues related to an application ACA staff will notify the team director at the same time.

The specific results leading to a negative determination must remain confidential unless the applicant is willing to reveal the results to the team director.

Because of the serious implications to the entire ACA organization and all teams, coaches, and student-athletes, all teams must comply with the decisions made by the ACA Background Check Committee under this policy.