ACA CEO encourages advocacy for Child Protection Improvements Act

American Camp Association (ACA) CEO Peg Smith calls for support of the Child Protection Improvements Act (S.1362/H.R.3902 [CPIA]) – a bill that promises to “close a gaping hole in the federal law that prevents camps and other youth-serving organizations from gaining access to  federal criminal background checks on employees and volunteers.”

View her impassioned video blog at: www.ACAcamps.org/blog/aca-camp-blog/advocate-child-protection-improvement-act.

Currently, there is no single all-encompassing background check database available in the United States. While still not all-encompassing, an F.B.I. check is the best background check available, yet camps and other youth-serving organizations in the majority of states do not have access to this system. The CPIA would, among other things, create access to nationwide background searches while keeping the fee as low as possible for youth-serving organizations.

“Parents have the right to expect that the organizations that they are entrusting their children with have access to the best background check systems available. We must advocate for a system that is reliable, accurate, timely and cost effective,” says Smith. She calls to action everyone who cares about child protection issues and urges them to ask their legislators for their support and quick passage of the CPIA by utilizing ACA’s simple online advocacy tool at www.ACAcamps.org/publicpolicy/CPIA.

“We must understand that while kids can’t advocate for themselves ˜ we can and must be the advocate for all kids.” ACA is among more than twenty other organizations that support the Child Protection Improvements Act. Advocacy is quick and easy! Visit www.ACAcamps.org/publicpolicy/CPIA today to advocate, view key messages, and learn more about the CPIA. About ACA

The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 290 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.