Core Safety, Verification & Liability
1) Insurance status (interim → active)
- The Core is in the process of securing general liability + volunteer accident coverage, targeted to be active by Jan 1, 2026. Until then, volunteers acknowledge risk via our Liability Waiver; once active, coverage limits and carrier will be posted in the Transparency Portal. (This section is informational; VPA still applies to individual volunteers—see §6.) (GovInfo)
2) Verification levels (final)
| Level |
Who |
What’s checked |
Renewal |
Badge |
| Level 1 – Standard |
All volunteers |
Government ID + national criminal database |
24 months |
✅ |
| Level 2 – Enhanced |
Works around minors/families or recurring leadership |
Level 1 + National Sex Offender Registry |
12 months |
✅ |
| Level 3 – Data & Leadership (highest volunteer clearance) |
Handles PII/finances/internal comms |
Level 2 + criminal history review (local/state/national court indices) |
12 months |
🥇 |
| Level 4 – Investigative Review (internal, not a badge) |
Triggered by serious, documented complaints; participation paused |
Fact-finding: records review, witness statements, references (as needed) |
case-by-case |
🚫 |
Due-process guardrails. We act on verified facts, not hearsay; Level 4 activates only when allegations are serious enough to implicate safety, PII, or trust. (Keep an internal log; publish non-identifying “Verified Review Completed” entries for transparency.)
3) FCRA compliance (background checks)
Because we use a third-party screener, FCRA applies even to volunteers. We will:
- Provide a stand-alone clear & conspicuous disclosure that a consumer report may be obtained;
- Obtain written authorization;
- Provide the federal Summary of Rights;
- If we may deny/limit a role based on the report, send pre-adverse action notice with a copy of the report + rights; wait a reasonable period (the FTC has treated ~5 business days by mail as reasonable) before any final decision;
- If final, send adverse action notice. (Nonprofit Risk Management Center)
Recordkeeping. Keep disclosure/authorization and adverse-action logs with timestamps.
4) Child & vulnerable-person safeguards
- Two-Adult Rule at all times; never be alone 1:1 with a minor.
- Level 2 required for any role around minors/seniors; Level 3 if also handling PII.