Welcome to the Background Check Central Unit (BCCU)
Our staff process over 23,000 background check requests as well as 800 fingerprint based checks each month. BCCU conducts background checks for agencies providing services to vulnerable adults, minors, and children such as:
- Nursing homes, boarding homes, and adult family homes;
- Adult in-home care providers;
- Child care centers, in-home child care providers;
- Residential programs for children and youth;
- Services for people with developmental disabilities; and
- DSHS contracted services.
Welfare Fraud Notification
As of February 15, 2008, the department will treat convictions for welfare fraud (theft-welfare) in the same way as a conviction for a theft crime on the Secretary's List of Crimes and Negative Actions. (Read the notice)
New Requirements
Effective February 1, 2008, the Background Authorization form is revised for easier use.
- The BCCU is rejecting and returning the old (07/2005) authorization form.
- Old forms received on or after May 1, 2008 will be rejected and returned.
- The electronic form is available to download in English and several other languages.
BCCU also provides helpful updates using the BCCU ListServ. This email method provides information on various background checks processed (current policy issues, helpful hints to assure proper form completion, system downtimes, turnaround times for processing background checks, etc.) To receive tips and information about BCCU, join our ListServ. If you are from outside DSHS and would like to receive this information, please email your request to bccuinquiry@dshs.wa.gov
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