Background Checks

DSHS/Background Check Central Unit (BCCU) process changed January 4, 2010

• The Background Check Central Unit (BCCU) identified two convictions for Rape of a Child that were reported by the Judicial Information System (JIS) but not reported by the Washington State Patrol (WSP)
• BCCU compared the criminal history information from the WSP on 1,000 background checks to the criminal history information reported by JIS for the same people
• The research showed that although both databases contain criminal history, not all convictions entered into JIS appear in the WSP database
• Based on this research, DSHS management decided the risk for vulnerable adults, juveniles and children was too high to justify not searching JIS for every background check
Impact to DVR Contractors
• Searching JIS for every background check will increase BCCU workload and turnaround times
• DSHS is working to automate the JIS data search to reduce workload impacts and improve turnaround time
• BCCU will provide updates about our progress to automate through the BCCU ListServ and your program’s background check contact
• If you have questions about how the new process will impact your program, please contact your program’s background check contact, Vicki Sprague, DVR Background Check Advisory Group Representative or email BCCU who will refer you to the appropriate contact.

DVR Background Checks

• every two years
• when a new employee is hired
• if the contractor or DVR has reason to believe an incident may change the status of an employee to have unsupervised access to DVR customers