A variety of agencies can provide background information services for their subscribers. The NT-NL does not endorse any one provider, but offers the following information on First Advantage as an example. All NT-NL congregations are urged to create safe environments, to exercise care and diligence, and to make use of Background Checks on all employees and key volunteers.
The Safe Churches Project is a program of First Advantage, Inc. - an extension of the Texas Safe Schools Project, a popular and successful criminal background screening program for Texas schools. The Safe Churches Project is designed to help congregations in the selection of employees and volunteers who work within the congregation. The Project provides the means by which criminal background checks can be accomplished easily and effectively.
Services The Safe Churches Project makes available a comprehensive set of criminal history background checks through services that are Web-based for easy access via the Internet.
Two types of criminal background checks are available:
Instant Checks (recommended as an initial screen for all employees and volunteers) - produce "online" results immediately from a search of 200 criminal history databases that are generally updated on a monthly basis
"National" County Criminal Checks (recommended for all full-time and key employees):
a) search counties not covered by Instant Checks. A Social Security Trace is conducted to identify additional counties of prior residence not revealed on the person's application form or personnel information sheet and
b) provides a search of the county criminal records that is conducted in every identified county of residence, nationwide. The results of the "National" County Criminal Search generally take 2 to 3 business days.
Consulting Services: Safe Churches Project Personnel are available, at no cost to members of the Safe Churches Project, to consult on issues related to forms, policies and procedures related to obtaining and dealing with criminal history information.
