Online Resources - Background Checks & Screening
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To view many of these online resources, you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software which, if your computer does not already have it, can be downloaded from the Adobe site at: www.adobe.com/acrobat/readstep.html.
- SafetyNet Pilot
This nationwide FBI fingerprint-based background check pilot project is available to any mentoring program in the country. Through SafetyNET, each FBI background check costs $18, and results are delivered within 3-5 business days.
Web site: http://ww.mentoring.org/safetynet/index.adp - Screening Mentors (published by the National Mentoring Center)
This module from the JUMP curriculum examines many of the issues around screening volunteers, including applications, interviews, and formal background checks.
Direct link to the PDF file: http://www.nwrel.org/mentoring/pdf/Mod2.pdf - Checking Criminal Histories: Considerations Before You Begin (published by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center)
This short publication covers the steps a program can take before they begin the volunteer screening process.
Web version: http://nonprofitrisk.org/library/articles/employment05001998.shtml - Mentoring Essentials: Risk Management for Mentoring Programs (published by EMT)
This training session teaches mentoring programs how to assess their risks, ways prepare for crises, and tips for troubleshooting program operations for increased safety and security for all participants. Direct link to the PDF file: http://www.emt.org/userfiles/RiskManagement.pdf - Running a Safe and Effective Mentoring Program, Section 2: Volunteer Screening (published by the Friends for Youth Mentoring Institute)
A very concise, step-by-step set of screening tools and suggestions. Direct link to the MS Word file: http://www.emt.org/MentoringProgramResources/userfiles/Volunteer Screening Steps.doc - Guidelines for the Screening of Persons Working with Children, the Elderly, and Individuals with Disabilities in Need of Support (published by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)
This OJJDP publication offers a simple decisionmaking model for screening volunteers who will be working with youth and other vulnerable groups. Direct link to the PDF file: http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles/167248.pdf - Barriers to Preventing Abuse (excerpt from a Nonprofit Risk Management Center publication, hosted on the Energize, Inc. site)
An excellent article details several common areas where volunteer programs have risk management gaps that can potentially lead to abuse and other problems.
Web version: http://www.energizeinc.com/art/achila.html - DREAM Program Mentor Screening Procedures (produced by the DREAM program, Winooski, VT)
This document is a good example of a local program's screening procedures and policies. All programs should have something similar to this that can guide staff and inform potential volunteers throughout the screening process. Direct link to the PDF file: http://www.dreamprogram.org/documents/Forms/_Web/Risk_ScreeningProcedures.pdf
