
	SERVICE One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.


	LEADERSHIP A nonprofit organization's leadership consists of its governing body, chief executive officer, and may also include its senior management. In a public agency the term refers to the agency head and administration team. The term "leadership" is not generally applied to for-profit organizations. With respect to COA standards, in for-profit organizations the term leadership applies to the owner and board of directors if one exists.


	COMMUNITY A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.


	PERSONNEL The body of employees and/or volunteers that carries out the organization's tasks under the organization's administration and/or supervision. This definition does not include foster parents who are specifically referenced in relevant standards


	PROGRAM A system of services offered by an organization. For example, an organization providing a mental health service may offer several mental health programs to different populations, e.g., a mental health program for adolescent teens. The word "program" can be used interchangeably with the word "service" or to describe specific programs.


	QUALITY In this context, the extent to which contemporary and generally recognized standards for professional practice are met and exceeded, and desirable service outcomes achieved.

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PA-OST 12: Personnel Qualifications

Personnel are qualified to operate the program and work with children and youth.

Note: COA recognizes that the job titles used in some programs may vary from the titles listed below. Accordingly, the responsibilities assumed by personnel will determine the qualifications required. Please see the PA-OST related file “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.

Research Note: Literature emphasizes that a skilled, stable, educated, well-trained, and motivated workforce is key to providing the quality programming that can promote positive outcomes for children and youth.

PA-OST 12.01

Program Administrators have the education, experience, and professional preparation needed to perform their job responsibilities.

Note: Refer to the PA-OST related file “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more detailed criteria.

PA-OST 12.02

Site Directors have the education, experience, and professional preparation needed to perform their job responsibilities.

Note: Refer to the PA-OST related file “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more detailed criteria.

PA-OST 12.03

Senior Group Leaders have the education, experience, and professional preparation needed to perform their job responsibilities.

Note: Refer to the PA-OST related file “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more detailed criteria.

PA-OST 12.04

Group Leaders have the education, experience, and professional preparation needed to perform their job responsibilities.

Note: Refer to the PA-OST related file “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more detailed criteria.

PA-OST 12.05

Assistant Group Leaders have the education, experience, and professional preparation needed to perform their job responsibilities.

Note: Refer to the PA-OST related file “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more detailed criteria.

PA-OST 12.06

To ensure the safety of program participants and determine the appropriateness of hiring prospective personnel, screening procedures for new employees, contractors, and direct service volunteers include:

fingerprint-based state and federal criminal history record checks;
child abuse and neglect registry checks; and
sex offender registry checks.

Interpretation: The agency should ensure that it complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws in conducting these checks. If an agency is not legally permitted to implement part of this standard (e.g., it can only conduct name-based checks, not fingerprint-based checks), it should be prepared to provide documentation (e.g., copy of a law or regulation) demonstrating that this is the case.

As referenced in PA-HR 3.03, the agency should also consult with legal counsel about any concerns regarding the appropriate use of background information. Background checks yield information, but the agency must decide how to use the information it obtains. Accordingly, the agency should define what offenses will disqualify an applicant, but should also take care to ensure that it does not illegally discriminate in its hiring practices.

This standard applies to anyone who has direct, unsupervised contact with children and youth, or has the potential to have unsupervised contact with children and youth. However, as referenced in PA-HR 3.03, the agency is not required to conduct background checks for licensed staff if it has verified that background checks are conducted as part of the licensing process. The agency is also not required to impose the requirements of this standard on personnel already employed by the agency. However, some agencies may wish, or be required, to conduct periodic re-investigations of all OST personnel, including those already employed.

Research Note: Most agencies permanently disqualify anyone convicted of sex-related crimes, violent crimes, and crimes involving children. For other types of crimes, agencies might consider factors such as the age of the person at the time of the offense, how long ago the offense occurred, the person’s attitude about the offense, and the person’s lifestyle since the offense.

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	PURPOSE: Children and youth who participate in Out-of-School Time Services gain the personal and social abilities and attitudes needed to form positive identities, boost self-esteem, build skills, navigate challenging situations, avoid negative behaviors, assume leadership roles, embrace diversity, and establish healthy connections with others in the community.

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