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What Non-profits can Benefit from a Reliable Background Check Provider

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Non-profit organizations understand, now more than ever, that accomplishing their mission rests on the shoulders of the people they hire and the volunteers that serve. Gone are the days when anyone willing to show up qualifies to represent the organization and its mission.

To safeguard against risks posed by employees and volunteers, most non-profit organizations have implemented background screening in their onboarding programs. They may conduct background checks internally by accessing state criminal record repositories and/or inexpensive “instant” online background checks or partnering with a professional background check provider.

Though not all background check providers are created equal, there are some notable benefits for non-profits partnering with the right one.

So, what do nonprofits need to look for in a reliable screening provider?
We recommend the three E’s – Expertise, Efficiency, and Effectiveness

Expertise

A reliable background check provider is a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA). To be accredited means they are an expert in the screening industry and the local, state, and federal laws that govern it. Be sure to partner with a background check company that follows the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act or FCRA which includes numerous regulations that govern the onboarding practices for employers and non-profits included, across the United States.

Efficiency

Non-profits are tasked with being good stewards of their money and maximizing every dollar they receive. They want to devote their time, talent and treasure to their mission which may leave little to spend on other top priorities like quality staffing and onboarding procedures. While cost-efficiency in background screening is critical, “the cheaper the better” rarely rings true and may increase risk as the cost of the background check is not always indicative of its quality or accuracy.
An efficient background check provider should have these services to provide you with the answers you need to make an informed decision:

  • Automation Capabilities
  • Mobile-friendly Processes
  • Customizable Solutions
  • Real-time Data

Effectiveness

Non-profits need thorough background checks to maximize their recipients’ safety and fulfill their mission. The reports need to comply with FCRA and similar regulations. Above all, the reports should be fully customizable to serve the unique needs of every organization. The right background check provider aligns with the non-profit’s values and empowers its goal of onboarding volunteers and employees through informed decisions.

By entrusting their screening to a reliable background check provider nonprofit leaders can provide an additional layer of protection for their organizations and those they serve.

If you are interested in learning about best practices in volunteer screening, make sure to read our blog. Whether you’re considering volunteer screening for the first time or you’re a well-seasoned veteran, learn how to create an efficient screening process for your volunteers, here.

Should You Continuously Monitor Your Staff?

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When you are in the process of onboarding an employee or volunteer, it is routine to run a background check to help you make an informed decision. What about later down the road, though? What about criminal offenses following the initial background check? Continuous monitoring is a way to automatically screen your workers to make sure they continue to uphold the same standards you set when they first joined your organization.

What many employers may not realize is that it is good practice to run continuous background checks even after the job offer. Continuously monitoring helps protect your organization, employees, and customers, as well as prevent noncompliance that occurs after the hiring process has been completed.

Let’s take a closer look at continuous monitoring and how it works.

What is continuous monitoring?

Continuous monitoring is an automated search of over 650 million records, including a Global Report, Multi-Court Jurisdictional Database, and National Sex Offender Registry.* The individual’s names you choose to provide will be rerun each month to check for new records. If flagged, an additional county criminal, statewide if available, the search will be added to verify the accuracy of the flag.

While most organizations try and hire individuals who seem trustworthy, at the end of the day, there is no way to predict what the future holds when it comes to criminal activity. The concept of adding a monitoring service is to stay on alert to new criminal offenses and changes in sex offender registration to better inform you of the individuals working for your business.

*Specific to continuous monitoring with One Source.

How does the process work?

  1. Establish a continuous monitoring policy that is compliant with state and federal employment laws and regulations.
  2. Enroll in continuous monitoring service(s).
    – Monitoring searches can be customized based on your needs.
  3. Provide a roster of individuals you would like included in your continuous monitoring.
  4. One Source uploads the orders.
    – We will run an initial search to verify the names on the list.
  5.  Now the monthly monitoring process begins.
    – This will be rerun on the 1st of every month.

To stay compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), verified records will always be provided.

Ready to get started?

Incorporating continuous monitoring into your screening process could be the difference in creating a safer environment for your organization. To keep the trust between you and your employees, make sure your continuous monitoring policy is clearly stated when they are hired and then reminded on an annual basis. You want to have shared expectations between you and your employees when you start your continuous monitoring. If you are interested in learning more or like to add this service to your process, contact us here.

For more information on background screening, check out our blog or get in touch today.

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One Source Resource Review: September–December 2019

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At One Source, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive, transparent and useful background check education and resources. We are experts in the screening industry, and we believe everyone should have access to professional insights to determine their security needs. Our blog is full of advice and information about background checks to answer your questions and broaden your knowledge.

As our blog expands, we will curate posts and include them in this review of our website’s resources. The blog posts are categorized by topic and include a summary of their key points. We hope these review posts will make it easier to find the information you need and utilize our knowledge when you need it. With that said, let’s dive into the One Source Resource Review. 

General Background Check Information

Frequently Asked Questions about Pre-Employment Background Checks

Learn all the basics about background checks and screening companies with these in-depth FAQs. We discuss timelines, the contents of reports and how a partnership with a screening agency can help you.

When You’re Ready to Run a Background Check, Start Here

No matter the reason for your screenings or the scale of your background check process, it can be tricky to know where to start. Our simple steps can help you begin screening with confidence.

What background checks do — and don’t — include

It can be difficult to choose the background check company best suiting your needs if you are not sure what they report. This blog breaks down our TotalCheck package so you know exactly what to expect.

How far back does a background check report?

This question is an entry point to our explanation of the legal expectations and limitations of background checks. We overview the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the rights it gives to the subjects of checks.

Debunking 5 common background check myths

We clear up the screening industry’s biggest misconceptions while discussing the ways background checks can benefit any organization.

Your Fair Credit Reporting Act compliance crash course

This blog includes a cautionary tale for businesses not complying with the FCRA and clear instructions to ensure you are in line with its regulations.

Employers and Hiring Departments

The 5-step guide to starting your company’s background check process

If your business is hiring several new team members soon, this blog is a must-read. We take you through the entire process of identifying your background check needs and how to put a plan in action.

A beginner’s guide to completing background checks

For those who have never conducted a background check before, this is an excellent place to start. We cover all the basics and are always available to answer questions.

4 Reasons to Screen Applicants with a Criminal Background Check

Background checks do more than just verify your applicants’ histories. They can help protect—and even grow—your business by promoting a positive culture and maintaining your image.

What Ban-the-Box Laws Mean for Employers

Many states no longer allow employers to ask applicants if they have criminal records. We explore what this means and how to promote security while complying with the law.

Volunteer Organizations

The Top 3 Reasons Nonprofit Volunteers Need Background Checks

One Source offers screening solutions designed specifically for nonprofits. Here’s how background checks can benefit your organization and volunteer base.

Does your organization need a background check process?

This checklist will help you evaluate the security requirements of your organization. Knowing this will help to create the best screening process for you, specific to your needs.

Questions Nonprofits Should Ask About Background Checks

Learn how to gather relevant information from background reports and develop an ethical hiring code with this guide.

Hiring Certified Contractors

Learn how to hire a reliable contractor

One Source has a set of guidelines dedicated to certified contractors so you can make educated decisions about your contractors.

OSCC Quarter 3 Report

We screened over 4,600 contractors in the third quarter of 2019 and built a report of our findings.

That will do it for this edition of the One Source Resource Review. To learn even more about One Source’s background check offerings, contact our Client Relations Team.

The Top 3 Reasons Nonprofit Volunteers Need Background Checks

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To nonprofit organizations, volunteers are so much more than temporary helpers. They’re the lifeblood that lets a nonprofit thrive. They are administrators, fundraisers, cheerleaders, advocates and anything else that can drive an organization’s purpose forward.

The actions of volunteers make or break a nonprofit’s success. Genuine, reliable volunteers can boost a nonprofit’s integrity and increase its impact, but dishonest volunteers put nonprofits’ finances and reputations at risk.

So, how do you make sure your organization recruits excellent volunteers? Background checks. Here are the top 3 reasons nonprofit volunteers need background checks:

Public Safety

Volunteers who assist with events, fundraisers and outreach efforts are the face of an organization. Their exchanges with the public define how the organization is perceived, and it is the duty of volunteers to ensure everyone is comfortable and safe.

Running background checks on potential volunteers gives you peace of mind that your volunteers will treat the communities you serve with respect. Many nonprofits work with vulnerable populations like children and the elderly, and volunteers who interact with them must be screened. If an incident occurs and you did not background check your volunteers, you could be held responsible for the incident. Background checks keep the community you serve safe and allow you to trust your volunteers.

Volunteer Dedication

In order to grow your volunteer base with caring, dedicated volunteers, you must build a positive volunteer work environment. If volunteers steal, lie or take advantage of an organization, distrust becomes rooted in its culture.

Potentially wonderful volunteers will be wary of participating in the organization for fear of an unpleasant experience.

Nonprofits must make volunteers feel valued and secure to earn their loyalty. Background checks help you make informed decisions about which volunteers will foster a constructive work environment. Once you establish your organization as a great place to volunteer, your number of dedicated volunteers will increase.

Reputation Management

When people donate to a nonprofit, they trust the money they give will be used wisely. When people bring their families to a nonprofit’s event, they trust they will be safe. Public trust is required to maintain a nonprofit’s relevance. However, one wrong move from a volunteer can wreck the public’s confidence and leave the nonprofit in ruin.

Background checks allow you to verify your volunteers are ethical. Volunteers who handle donations honestly and treat others kindly will boost trust in your organization. People can tell when an organization has integrity. Build a good reputation through your volunteers, and people will be proud to support you.

Volunteers can be your nonprofit’s greatest asset. They can promote your purpose while giving your organization credibility. One Source’s comprehensive background check services help you choose your volunteers with confidence. Follow the link to learn more about One Source.