BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PRE-COLLEGIATE / YOUTH PROGRAMS AND CAMPS

Summer Camp Background Checks are only valid for summer camp employment and are managed/approved by the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Non-Summer Camp Programs working/servicing vulnerable populations such as minors, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly require Level 2 background checks through the VECHS background check program. VECHS Background Checks are good for 5 years, after 5 years fingerprinting is required. When there is a break in service of 1 year or more, a new VECHS screening is required.

The term "child" means any unmarried person under 18 years of age, who has not been emancipated by order of the court. An "elderly person" is a person who is 60 years of age or older. "Individuals with disabilities" are persons with a mental or physical impairment who require assistance to perform one or more daily living tasks. For more Q &A on VECHS background screenings, visit:  http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Background-Checks/VECHS-FAQs.aspx

The cost for a VECHS Level 2 background check is approximately $51.00 per background check. Price subject to change. Since cost is subject to change, please contact empl@fau.edu for the most updated cost.

Camp personnel (employees and volunteers) are required to go through the VECHS background screening process. Please review the next question for information on exemptions from screening. 

VECHS exemptions may apply if the following criteria are met:

Per Florida Statute 409.1757 camp candidates who are also K-12 Teachers in the Florida school system that have already received a Level 2 background check through their school system do not need an additional background check for a camp if:

•They have not had a 90-day break in service from their FL K-12 teaching job,  AND

• They submit a Memo verifying their Florida K-12 Public School background check along with a copy of the report for HR to review.

If a copy of the report cannot be furnished, screening is required. These candidates must still be included on the Camp Roster submitted to Human Resources.

Volunteers:

Most volunteers must undergo background checks. Volunteers may be exempt from a Non-Summer Camp Background Check only if:

• They are volunteering on an intermittent basis for less than 10 hours per month;  AND

• They will not be considered responsible for any vulnerable population;  AND

• Others designated as responsible for any vulnerable population who have been properly screened are always present and in direct line of sight;  AND

• There is no possibility of the volunteer being alone with a vulnerable population under any circumstances.

Even if a volunteer meets these criteria, Human Resources will run a National Sex Offender Search before the volunteer may begin service. If there are unfavorable results, the volunteer will be disqualified from participation in the camp.

The cost for a DCF Level 2 background check is approximately $63.00 per background check. Price subject to change. Please contact  empl@fau.edu  for the most updated cost.

Different from FAU’s standard background check, summer camp background checks are conducted and adjudicated by the Florida Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) as described in 435.12 of Florida Statues. Florida Atlantic University facilitates/initiates all background checks for Summer Camps in accordance with state statutes. Summer Camp Background Checks are conducted to ensure the safety and security of the minors attending camps, camp personnel, and others on campus.

“Summer Camp” is defined as follows by Section 409.175 of the Florida Statutes: “Summer day camp” means recreational, educational, and other enrichment programs operated during summer vacations for children who are 5 years of age on or before September 1 and older. "Summer 24-hour camp means recreational, educational, and other enrichment programs operated on a 24-hour basis during summer vacation for children who are 5 years of age on or before September 1 and older, that are not exclusively educational."

Section 409.175 of the Florida Statutes requires employers to conduct Level 2 Background Checks (including fingerprinting) on all Summer Camp personnel (including owners, operators, employees, and volunteers) before they engage in camp work. Recruitment Services will review each camp personnel to determine if a screening is required for camp personnel.

F exemptions may apply if the following criteria are met:

K-12 Public Florida School Teachers:  Per Florida Statute 409.1757 summer camp candidates who are also K-12 Teachers in the Florida school system that have already received a Level 2 background check through their school system do not need an additional background check for summer camp if:

• They have not had a 90-day break in service from their FL K-12 teaching job,  AND

• They submit a Memo verifying their Florida K-12 Public School background check for HR to review.

• The Affidavit of Good Moral Character must be completed each year and the original retained by the hiring department for review. These candidates should still be included on the Camp Roster submitted to Human Resources. The Clearinghouse Privacy Policy and Demographic forms are not required.

Volunteers:  Most volunteers must undergo background checks. Volunteers may be exempt from a Summer Camp Background Check only if:

• They are volunteering on an intermittent basis for less than 10 hours per month;  AND

• They will not be considered responsible for any vulnerable population;  AND

• Others designated as responsible for any vulnerable population who have been properly screened are always present and in direct line of sight;  AND

• There is no possibility of the volunteer being alone with a vulnerable population under any circumstances.

Even if a volunteer meets these criteria, Human Resources will run a National Sex Offender Search before the volunteer may begin service. If there are unfavorable results, the volunteer will be disqualified from participation in the camp.

FAU HR has a centralized account for University-sponsored camps with DCF for the entire University, so please forward any emails received from DCF to Recruitment Services at  empl@fau.edu.

Information on how to request summer camp background checks can be found  here. Information on how to request fall/winter/spring camp or program background checks can be found  here.

Yes, camp spreadsheets are required for each season your camp or program runs. For example, if your camp runs during Summer and Winter, you will be required to complete two spreadsheets (1 for summer season and 1 for winter season) All camp resources and spreadsheets can be found at:  http://www.fau.edu/hr/hr-forms.php#recruit

No. FAU has partnered with Fieldprint, an approved fingerprint collection and processing vendor. By partnering with Fieldprint, FAU has become more accessible to potential candidates as they can schedule an appointment at their convenience and the Fieldprint location of their choice.

FAU has partnered with Fieldprint, an approved fingerprint collection and processing vendor. Recruitment Services will provide the candidate with the necessary information so that they can schedule the level 2 background check at their convenience and a Fieldprint location of their choice. If your potential candidate is international, please contact Recruitment Services for additional instructions.

Yes. Per the DCF, all camp staff (including current employees) must be screened under DCF’s account. This also applies to Winter/Spring camps or programs that undergo the VECHS Level 2 screening.