Background Screening
Washington Conference has a long-term commitment to children's safety that keeps improving.
The conference currently partners with Sterling Volunteers who provide a comprehensive web-based tracking system across North America. This allows the conference to provide volunteers, employees, and community protection at the local, regional, and national levels.
Young people are an essential part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's ministry. Keeping them safe should be one of the highest priorities for those involved in ministry. A necessary tool in protecting children and youth is the screening process that should be conducted on all volunteers and employees who work with young people.
The North American Division Working Policy indicates that a screening process is required for all adults over the age of 18, involved in any capacity in children's and youth ministries and activities, and all church ministry leaders and officers voted or appointed by the local church.
In the background check process, a criminal background check is performed for potential volunteers and employees that looks for “red flags” such as drug felonies, domestic violence, child abuse, driving records, and sex offender crimes. By screening out potential “bad hires” with background checks, we reduce liability while ensuring the safety of our members and communities served.
Who Needs to be Screened?
ALL VOLUNTEERS and EMPLOYEES who work with children on a regular basis in CHURCHES, MINISTRIES, and SCHOOLS.
- Background Screening should be completed before the volunteer/employee is allowed to serve.
- The volunteer/employee must renew their screening every three (3) years.
- References only need to be completed if this is your first screening.
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The training process will take approximately two (2) hours to complete.
It is best to finish the process all at once, though you can complete it in segments.
Renewing Your Background Check?
Unified Background Screening Packet
Follow along with the step-by-step instructions for the background screening!
Along with the completed Driving Record Release, you will need to provide a copy of your driver's license by email. Email both documents to Joyce Moore.
Online Background Screening--Common Issues
- DO NOT TRY TO COMPLETE ON A MOBILE DEVICE. Use either a desktop or laptop computer
- The website is not compatible with all browsers. Please use one of the following: Google Chrome (highly suggested), Safari or Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer (Microsoft Edge).
- If you have forgotten your User ID or password
- Call 1.855.326.1860 opt. 3
- Email Adventist Support
If you experience trouble on the consent form portion of the background screening:
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Digital Signature
- Make sure to enter the same name format that was entered initially at "Registration Process."
- Type capital or lower-case letters where needed and make sure you have checked all of the boxes on the consent form.
- If you are still having trouble, you may need to clear your computer's cache and cookies since the website is very case sensitive.
- If you are still having issues, please call or email Adventist Support.
- Call 1.855.326.1860
- Email Adventist Support
Renewal Process
Background screening is renewed every three years. When it is time for renewal, employees and volunteers will receive an email from Sterling Volunteers as ncsrisk. The email will look something like this:
*************
Subject: Adventist Child Protection Renewal
Dear Volunteer Name,
Thank you for your continued support of our churches and schools.
In our diligence toward protecting our children & youth, we require that a background check and training be renewed. The items we have in our database for you are about to expire.
Please click on the link below to log in to your account to complete your renewal items: www.ncsrisk.org/adventist
Your username to log in to the NCS Risk platform is:
USERNAME
You have the ability to recover your password by clicking on "Need login information" under the password box.
Thank you.
*************
This is a legitimate email. Please take action.