Screening methods should include interviews, written information, personal contacts, references and criminal background checks. Please note that you must first obtain a signed permission form from the applicant to run a criminal background check.
Once you have permission from the applicant, one option to run a local and state criminal background check is to contact your local law enforcement agency. They will provide you with information for each applicant for a fee. By Georgia law, this background check will only include information concerning an applicant's criminal history in the state of Georgia. If the applicant has not been a Georgia resident for the last 5 years, you should also obtain a national criminal background check from the FBI.
ScreeningOne - The South GA Conference has partnered with ScreeningOne to conduct volunteer and staff background checks for the conference and United Methodist churches in South Georgia. Through this agreement, the conference has established a preferred product package that combines various criminal background searches for an industry-best, pre-employment, criminal history report. Churches can sign up for their own ScreeningOne account with no paperwork and receive exclusive conference rates. There are no minimums and no sign-up fees. For details on the program and any questions, contact the South GA UMC representative, Paul Craddock, at (919) 533-5005 or Paul.Craddock@screeningone.
Protect My Ministry - Protect My Ministry helps you do church background checks for your ministry volunteers, employees and staff. Click here for more information.
All forms and reference reports should be kept as a part of an applicant's personnel file. The person responsible for the children or youth activity and/or their designee is responsible for reviewing and following up on each application prior to service.