Additional screening and hiring measures should be implemented based on the specific needs, responsibilities, and risks of your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO), the children you serve, and the position requirements of your staff. Employ the necessary procedures for screening such as state and national background checks, reviewing credentials, and assessing prior employment experiences.  

Employing additional screening procedures may require your YSO to:  

Conduct state criminal records check (CORI) and national criminal background checks at hire and periodically. Utilize criminal record screenings to determine if the candidate has an appropriate history to work with children at your organization. Leadership should conduct regular checks on criminal records for those working at the organization such as the Criminal Offender Records Inventory (CORI).  

Administer state sexual offender registry check (SORI) and national sexual offense background checks at hire and periodically. Use sexual offense background checks such as the Sexual Offender Records Inventory (SORI) to ensure the candidate does not have sexual offenses. Utilize both state and national checks in order to provide a thorough check of all available databases.  

Verify state and national child abuse registry checks. Ensure the information provided by background checks is correct and up to date. Use these registries to verify staff and volunteers at least annually.  

Check professional credentials and disciplinary records to ensure the suitability of candidates to work with children. Examine past training, academic, and employment records to ensure the candidate’s suitability for working with children. Confirm the candidate has appropriate experience for the specific position they are applying for.  

Review driving records and ensure adequate licensure if the position includes the responsibility to transport children. For positions including transporting children, check the candidate’s driving qualifications and records to verify safe transportation. If the position requires the candidate to operate a vehicle with specific licensure, ensure they have the correct qualifications during the screening process.  

Conduct a home observation if work is conducted at a child’s or staff person’s home. In addition to screening through background checks, if the services provided at your organization will be conducted in someone’s home or staff and volunteers will work with the child in their home, conduct and shadow home visits. Check to ensure that the children under your care will be safe in the candidate’s home.  

Implementing additional screening measures outlined here may help to determine the suitability of the candidates who will be in contact with children at your organization. In-depth screening procedures help increase the safety of children in your care. 

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