Criminal background check

From AFSWiki

As of April, 2006, federal regulations were changed to require that volunteers and host families for exchange programs undergo a criminal background check.

The background checks themselves are performed by a company contracted by AFS-USA.

Notes

• AFS volunteers will have the background checks performed annually.
• Host families must have the background check completed before the students are placed in the host family home.
• The background checks for hfams and volunteers are not the same. If serving as both, then 2 checks need be conducted.
• AFS-USA requires anyone 14 years and older applying as a host family member or volunteer to undergo a criminal background check. Parental permission is required for all minors.

Contents 1 Background check process 2 Frequently Asked Questions 3 Resources 4 Regulation text

Background check process

• An online process for conducting criminal background checks has been established through a secure website.
• Each member of the host family household and volunteer applicant over the age of 14 at the time of student arrivals in the US will be asked to sign (either on paper or electronically) a consent form authorizing AFS-USA to conduct a criminal background check.
• Generally the checks, conducted by IntelliCorp, Inc., takes less than 72 hours to be completed from provision of details to generation of a report.
• All family members that turn 18 years-old while hosting an AFS Student must complete a new background check.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in a Criminal Background Check?
The CBC shows whether or not an individual is a registered sex offender and/or has any criminal/traffic convictions. The CBC does not disclose any financial or credit information. (j) Host family application and selection

What is needed to complete a Criminal Background Check?
AFS needs the legal name, Social Security Number, and date of birth for every household member 14 years of age or older. (j) Host family application and selection

What if someone in the household does not have a Social Security Number?
If a host family member does not have an SSN, s/he will need to complete a Consent Form and International Search Request Form. These forms can be submitted to the Quality Assurance and Compliance Assistant via email or fax. An International Search can take between 2-6 weeks to complete. (j) Host family application and selection

Who can help if someone is having trouble logging in to the background check website?
The best solution is to contact the CBC@AFS.ORG email account and ask for assistance. Often there is a technical glitch and the problem can be fixed via email or phone call. (j) Host family application and selection

Can a background check from work or other volunteer roles be submitted to AFS?
No. Even if a host parent or sibling completes a background check as part of his/her employment or another volunteer role, another CBC will still have to be administered by AFS-USA. (j) Host family application and selection

Resources

Questions from volunteers or host families running into problems with background checks should be directed to the following:

• Call: Joseph Friedman

Regulation text

• (j) Host family selection. Sponsors must adequately screen and select all potential host families and at a minimum must:
• ...
• (7) Verify that each member of the host family household eighteen years of age and older has undergone a criminal background check; and

• • 22 CFR 62.25(j)(7) Revised as of April 1, 2007