Background Screenings for Employees and Volunteers
HOT OFF THE PRESS - April 2008
Letter to Providers
Background screening information
Providers that are licensed or certified by the Department of Mental Health are required to obtain a background screening for all employees and volunteers. Required screenings include an inquiry with the Department of Health and Senior Services Employee Disqualification List, an inquiry with the Department of Mental Health's Employee Disqualification Registry and a criminal background check with State Highway Patrol. It is recommended that agencies providing services to children obtain a Child Abuse and Neglect background screening through Children's Services.
There are many ways to obtain background screenings. All four screenings may be obtained through the Family Care Safety Registry. The Care Giver Background Screening process can be used for the three required screenings. Some providers hire a private investigator or agency to secure these background checks. In these cases, an official document from each of the required screenings will be needed.
More information on background screenings for employees and volunteers is available through the links below:
Department of Mental Health Human Resources
Department of Mental Health's Code of State Regulations: 9 CSR 10-5.190 Background Screening for Employees and Volunteers
Information for providers - General Information and Guidelines
Family Care Safety Registry - Missouri 's Family Care Safety Registry was established by law to protect children, elderly, and the physically or mentally disabled in this state and to promote family and community safety by providing background information on potential caregivers. Families and employers can call the registry's toll-free telephone line to request background information on registered child-care, elder care, and personal caregiver workers or to request licensure status information on licensed child-care and elder care providers. This service is intended to provide information to help families and employers make informed decisions when hiring employees to work with children, elderly, and the physically or mentally disabled.
