February 22, 2013_ALF "Dear Administrator" Letters

February 22, 2013

ADSA:  ALF #2013-001
Fingerprint Background Check Notice Requirement Effective March 1, 2013

Dear Assisted Living Facility Administrator:

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of a new notice that must be signed by individuals who require fingerprint-based background checks.  It is your responsibility to provide this notice to staff and to retain a copy of the signed notice on-site in your facility files.

Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) audited the DSHS Background Check Central Unit (BCCU) process and determined that facilities need to notify applicants of the purpose of the fingerprint check and the method to correct errors on the FBI identification record.

In response to the audit, the BCCU has developed a Fingerprint-Based Background Check Notice (DSHS 27-089) that applicants must read and sign when they are required to have their fingerprint-based background check.

Individuals hired on or after March 1, 2013 who are required to have a fingerprint-based background check (direct care staff and administrators) must sign and date this notice.  Once signed, retain a copy in the assisted living facility file as you would any staff records that the department may inspect and return the original to the individual. This notice is available online at:  https://www.dshs.wa.gov/office-of-the-secretary/forms?field_number_value=27-089&title=

If you have any questions, please contact your RCS Field Manager.

Sincerely,

Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services