4-H Youth Development Policy for Child Protection and Fingerprint-Background Check Reports

1. Potential volunteers are to complete a Volunteer Packet in order to become an Extension Volunteer. Volunteers working with children (4-H, Youth Horticulture, etc.) must complete additional forms and be fingerprinted either electronically or manually utilizing designated fingerprint cards. Volunteers being fingerprinted must complete a Fingerprint Packet in addition to a Volunteer Packet. Some programs, like 4-H, require additional forms and three references.
2. Completed Fingerprint Packets and Fingerprint Cards shall be mailed to Paul Lessick, Coordinator of Civil Rights and Compliance, in a sealed envelope from the designated location (County Extension office or other University office) and must not be mailed directly from the volunteer. Please confirm that all forms submitted are complete. Any incomplete forms, including missing signatures, will be mailed back for correction.
    

   Mail Fingerprint Packets and Cards to:

   Extension Statewide Administrative Office
   Attn: Paul Lessick, Coordinator Civil Rights and Compliance
   8050 Paradise Road, Suite 110
   Las Vegas, NV 89123

3. Packets will be reviewed, logged and then sent to University Police Services for processing. The costs will be charged to the University volunteer account. Extension will bill the counties individually and may be eligible for reimbursement.
4. Before their Fingerprint Packets are sent in, all volunteers must complete the following:
   1. Watch the State of Nevada Department of Child and Family Services video.
   2. Read the Information Packet from the University regarding Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect.
   3. Sign Exhibit B & C Forms and send copies of those signed forms along with the Fingerprint Packet.
5. When University Police Services receives fingerprinting results, they will notify the Coordinator of the outcome (Clear, Pending or Denied). Results will be one of two actions:
   1. Clear Results: A letter will be sent to the Extension 4-H Personnel (with a copy to the Extension Educator or Program Manager) letting them know the volunteer is approved.
   2. Denied Result: A letter will be sent to the Extension 4-H Personnel (with a copy to the Extension Educator or Program Manager) letting them know further investigation is needed or the volunteer is denied.
6. Fingerprint background checks must be resubmitted every six years for all active 4-H volunteers.
   1. Beginning in July 2018, all active 4-H Volunteers who have been with the organization prior to 2012 will need to be re-fingerprinted by June 30, 2019.
7. While waiting for fingerprint results, all new 4-H volunteers shall:
   1. Complete the four 4-H Orientation Modules (topics include Volunteer Roles and Relationships, You Can Create a Safe and Inclusive Environment, You Can Promote Positive Youth Development, and You Can Help Young People Learn by Doing). Completion certificates will be placed in the volunteer’s file. Volunteers will be required to complete these modules every six years.
   2. All first-year volunteers (including 4-H Volunteers) shall complete the Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Self Study Guide that is provided by their local Extension office. This step will be repeated every six years.
      • Step 4a (Watch the video from State of Nevada Department of Child and Family Services) and 4c (Exhibit B & C Forms) will be required every year as part of the reenrollment process.
      • If a volunteer has a break in service of one year or more, they will be required to complete the entire process (including fingerprinting).
   3. Once fingerprints are sent to the Coordinator, the 4-H professional (or county designated individual or program leader) shall input the volunteer’s information into Workday as a Contingent Worker.
   4. The final step in the 4-H Volunteer application process is to have the volunteer complete the 4-H Online enrollment process.

4-H Resource Volunteers Child Protection Policy

4-H Resource Volunteers are individuals with specific or specialized knowledge who want to assist in a 4-H event or project. Examples of ways a Resource Volunteer might volunteer include: training 4-H leaders, serving on committees, assisting with fundraising efforts, judging at fairs and speaking at events. Fingerprinting a 4-H Resources Volunteer is not necessary if the volunteer does not interact directly with children. However, if a 4-H Resource Volunteer works directly with youths or is asked to chaperone at camp or another overnight event, then they must complete the fingerprinting process.

Published by: Extension, 2019, 4-H Youth Development Policy for Child Protection and Fingerprint-Background Check Reports, Extension