New Orleans OIG Report Addresses the Importance of Consistent Volunteer Screening

The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) oversees youth athletics programs that coach and serve over 5,000 children annually, relying heavily on volunteer coaches. These volunteers are responsible for athletic instruction, influencing youth development, and, in some cases, handling team funds.

NORDC's written policy requires volunteer coaches to complete annual background checks. However, the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) broader evaluation of NORDC’s youth sports management found inconsistencies in the documentation and implementation of background check policies, which could allow individuals with disqualifying histories to interact with minors.

Details on OIG findings

Findings from the evaluation prompted the OIG to publish a press release on June 4, 2026, outlining inconsistencies in NORDC’s recordkeeping and background check procedures.  

Recordkeeping gaps

The OIG found multiple issues with documentation and recordkeeping:

1. During the investigation, an administrator informed the OIG that NORDC did not maintain records of the individuals who provided coach ID cards and was unable to produce an authorized list of sports coaches for 2025.
2. Multiple coach lists were provided to investigators that contained inconsistent and contradictory information.

Inconsistent background check policies

Background checks were not uniformly required or processed across all youth coaching roles. The OIG found the following inconsistencies in the program's required background checks for coaches:

1. Out of 275 volunteer coach applications, OIG evaluators randomly sampled 50 files and found that 46% lacked background checks.
2. The OIG found that, in the 50 sampled files, over a third of the coaches without background checks had submitted authorization forms, but the background checks were never processed.
3. The report found inconsistent monitoring of renewals and annual checks.
4. The background checks obtained had a limited search scope and lacked details for listed charges.
5. NORDC administrators stated that coaches were required to provide proof of disposition for charges with unclear outcomes. However, no evidence of documentation was found in any of the 275 files. The OIG found dispositions for criminal offenses that should have disqualified some of these applicants, according to NORDC’s application forms.

NORDC’s CEO, Larry Barabino Jr., announced his resignation days before the OIG letter was released. However, NORDC has acknowledged deficiencies and has committed to strengthening compliance.

The OIG’s recommendations

Along with other findings from the investigation, the OIG published multiple recommendations for NORDC to apply.

Maintain an electronic roster

The OIG recommended that NORDC maintain an accurate, centralized electronic roster of coaches that clearly identifies approved applications, tracks coach NORDC IDs, and is accessible to all relevant staff members.

Set a system in place to ensure consistent screening and issuing of coaching IDs

The OIG recommended that NORDC establish a system to ensure that all coaches undergo annual background checks and that all required documentation is completed before issuing future coaching ID badges.

A formal system for evaluating background check results

To address issues with findings from background checks, the OIG recommended establishing formal written policies and procedures for reviewing coaches' background checks, including defined disqualification criteria and documentation standards for dismissed or dropped charges.

Expanding background check search scope

The OIG also urged that NORDC should “make every effort to obtain nationwide background checks that provide accurate dispositions for as many cases as possible.”

In addition to a list of suggestions to help successfully manage future volunteer coach screening, the OIG also alerted NORDC of two individuals who should not be allowed to coach in the program. NORDC has taken steps to remove these two individuals from the program, but the OIG is encouraging NORDC to take further action to keep local youth safe.

A broader picture of background screening regulations

This report focuses specifically on a municipal recreation program in New Orleans, but it aligns with an ongoing pattern of heightened attention to background and volunteer screening liability. For example:

• In February 2025, the Minnesota Supreme Court determined that municipalities are not immune from the consequences of a negligent hire in Minor Doe 601 v. Best Academy.
• As of March 1, 2025, Florida’s SB676 requires school volunteers to undergo Level 2 background screenings, which include sexual predator and sexual offender registry searches.
• In California’s Parsonage v. Wal-Mart Associates, the California Court of Appeals clarified that applicants have the right to pursue charges under California’s Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act without the need to demonstrate and prove actual harm beforehand.

To get the full details, you can find the public letter and the press release from the New Orleans OIG here.

To learn more about volunteer screening, contact us or discover what sets Verified Credentials’ volunteer screening solutions apart here.

This content is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute legal opinion or advice. Consult your legal counsel to ensure compliance.