Webinar hosted by Mentoring Partnership of MN, Oct. 5, 2011

1. Navigating the Criminal Background System October 5, 2011 Quality in Action

2. Webinar Logistics Asking Questions & Sharing Comments During the Webinar “Raise your hand” & MPM Organizers will unmute you Or, type questions and comments in the question section of the toolbar; MPM organizers will respond directly or share with all attendees When unmuted, please monitor your background noise Polly Roach Vice President of Strategic Services Recordings of past webinars are available on our YouTube Channel.

3. Elements of Effective Practice Standard: Screen prospective mentors to determine whether they have the time, commitment and personal qualities to be an effective mentor. Benchmarks B.2.6 Program conducts a comprehensive criminal background check on adult mentor, including searching a national criminal records database along with sex offender and child abuse registries. Enhancements E.2.1 Program utilizes national, fingerprint-based FBI criminal background checks (e.g., the SafetyNET system operating under the auspices of the Child Protection Improvements Act, in cooperation with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children).

4. QMAP: Screening K1. Establish written policies for consistent screening processes including criteria for accepting and rejecting potential participants. K2. Communicate with mentors about expectations for the program and the match, including minimum commitment. K3. Mentors complete written applications. K4. Conduct at least one reference check (personal and/or professional) on potential mentors. K5. Perform at least one criminal background check on potential mentors (local, state and/or federal). K6. Check sex offender and child abuse registries for potential mentors K7. Conduct at least one face to face interview with potential mentors. K8. Support additional screening processes relevant to program (driver records for mentors who will transport mentees; home visits for mentors who will host mentees in their home; etc.) K9. Understand and follow the ethical, professional and legal standards related to background checks and screening.

5. QMAP Data: Screening 40% of programs with K5 in practice reported that they “conduct federal criminal background checks on every potential mentor” 78% of those programs also reported that they were using a commercial background screening service. NONE of the companies named by MN programs offer fingerprint-based background checks.

6. Commercial Background Screening Services http://www.mpmn.org/files/commercialscreeningservices.pdf

7. FBI Checks – Worth the Time & Expense? Nearly 40,000 FBI fingerprint checks have been conducted through the PROTECT Act pilot, and 6.1% of potential volunteers were found to have criminal records of concern. Over 40% of individuals with criminal records committed crimes in states other than where they were applying to volunteer.

9. Return form to BCA Obtain mentor’s consent Continue for an FBI Screening Customize this form from the BCA for your program If certified Charitable Non-Profit with BCA, return with $8 If not a Charitable Non-Profit, return with $15 To qualify for the reduced fee you must provide a copy of the form issued by the IRS that designates your organization as a 501(c) 3 organization. This form should be sent to the BCA, Attn: CJIS/Non-profit account.

10. Download an FBI Fingerprint Card (print on cardstock). Check the hours at your county’s office Fingerprinting can be done at the BCA, local station, or private agency, rates vary from $5-$30. Fingerprinting can be done independently. If the prints are not done well, they will be returned. Get a copy of mentor’s fingerprints

11. Return Fingerprint Card, Fees and Consent Form to BCA After 2-6 weeks, a report will come back to your program How to read a report If screening is for a volunteer mentor, return with $20.25 If screening is for a paid mentor, return with $24.25

13. Program Experiences Linda Oto, Connected Kids, Northfield Public Schools La’Vonne Clarke, Mentors For Success, Hennepin County Juvenile Probation

14. 14 Resources MPM Training www.mpmn.org/traininginstitute This presentation & others www.slideshare.net/traininginstitute

15. Minnesota Mentoring Conference This presentation will focus on the recommended tools and approaches from the resource SAFE (Screening Applicants for Effectiveness): Guidelines to Prevent Child Molestation in Mentoring and Youth-Serving Organizations. Research gathered in the writing of the Mentor Screening and Youth Protection chapter for the 2nd edition of the Handbook on Youth Mentoring, scheduled for release in 2012, will be also reviewed. Mentor Screening and Youth Safety Session 2: 2:30-4:30

16. Next Quality In Action Webinar November 2 – Evidence Based Practice for Mentoring Programs, featuring Kristine Marshall from Winning Futures December 7 – Using Social Media to Promote National Mentoring Month, featuring Sarah Kremer from Friends For Youth