Background Investigations and Screenings

Background Investigations and Screening
- All UGA Extension faculty, staff, and volunteers who have direct contact with minors are required to undergo a criminal background check (including sex offender registry check) in accordance with the Human Resources Administrative Practice Manual (HRAP). Extension faculty and staff must ensure that any adult leaders who have direct contact with minors and who were hired prior to implementation of the Background Investigation Policy undergo a background investigation prior to working with minors.
- Third Parties must certify that all adult leaders working with minors have undergone background checks, which would, at a minimum, satisfy the HRAP requirements.
- All 4-H volunteers working with youth must apply through the 4-H Enrollment system, where background investigations and screening is completed by the local Extension personnel. Tutorials and helpfiles to assist Extension personnel through this process can be found here.
- Extension 4-H personnel must be in receipt of background check approval generated from georgia4hvolunteers@uga.edu on all adult leaders working with youth prior to involvement.
- Volunteers working with youth on behalf of Extension-4-H must also supply three references.
- Additionally, faculty, staff, and volunteers must self-report any arrest, charge, or criminal conviction occurring after the date of the background check to their local Extension personnel, prior to returning to an Extension or 4-H program or activity. Additionally, all employees and volunteers are subject to the University’s Arrest and Conviction Policy and must complete an Arrest and Conviction Self-Disclosure Form.
- Depending on the nature of the 4-H program, additional screening of adult leaders beyond background checks may be advisable, including in-person interviews.