2024 GSEM Program Partner Guide

Background Check Policy To ensure the safety of our girl members we require any facilitator who is working directly with our girls to undergo a background check. The facilitator can provide a copy of the organization’s background check policy or undergo a background check through Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Background checks through Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri are confidential and available online. Please complete your request by visiting https://app.sterlingvolunteers.com/en/Candidates/Account/Register. You will create an account and login. When asked, use good deed code: ddgn5lj. Please indicate on your agreement the facilitators who will be submitting information for their background check. High Risk Site Inspection In Safety Activity Checkpoints, certain activities are considered high risk. This is noted on the “Activities at a Glance” chart starting on page 26 of Safety Activity Checkpoints. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri has determined that some of the high-risk activities need a site inspection before troops can visit. During the site inspection, staff will ensure that safety guidelines outlined in Safety Activity Checkpoints are met. The safety guidelines that will be reviewed will be sent ahead of the inspection for verbal acknowledgment that all guidelines are met. For more information on what is required of high risk sites, visit girlscoutsem.org/insurance . Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse and Molestation Policy Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri has zero tolerance for any instances of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/ or molestation of any individual. Any staff member, volunteer, or independent contractor found to have engaged in any such activity will be terminated from their employment, volunteer role, and/or any other affiliation they have with Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri will also pursue any and all legal actions warranted in the event of an instance of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or molestation. For more information about this policy, see the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri web site, or contact the Director of Risk Management. If you have any concerns about, or need to report, an instance of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or molestation, contact the Director of Risk Management. If that person is not available, contact another Leadership Team staff member. Also remember that Missouri law states that if any person with the responsibility for the care of children has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, that person shall immediately report to the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division. Mandated reporters include Girl Scout volunteers and staff.

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