Dear Grantees,
I am pleased to announce the launch of the recently approved National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) vendor, Truescreen. As of today, this vendor is available to provide State and National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) checks to CNCS grantees. Truescreen’s sister company, Fieldprint, will continue to provide CNCS grantees with FBI checks.
This launch is a direct response to grantee feedback on the difficulty and burden associated with NSCHC compliance. After a year of vendor research, thorough internal testing, and a successful grantee soft launch, I’m confident in the level of service and opportunity for improved compliance that this new vendor will provide. Today’s launch is a significant advancement in our commitment to beneficiary safety and grantee compliance.
Moving forward, I have authorized a number of directives to support grantee use of Truescreen and Fieldprint, namely:
Additional funding for AmeriCorps State and National and Senior Corps grantees to use Truescreen and/or Fieldprint to obtain compliant checks on individuals serving or working in covered positions.
An exemption period during which CNCS will not take administrative enforcement action for noncompliance for grantees that conduct rechecks of covered positions, using Truescreen and/or Fieldprint.
Additionally, to emphasize our priority to utilize CNCS-approved vendors and desire for a more streamlined NSCHC process, CNCS will implement the following changes over the coming months:
Phase out most of the currently approved Alternative Search Procedures (ASPs) at the end of calendar year 2019.
Implement a process where a manual hold may be placed on grant funds for grantees who are found to be noncompliant with the NSCHC requirement until grantees are able to obtain compliance using the agency’s approved vendors.
Implement a new cost-based disallowance policy to replace the current NSCHC Disallowance Matrix.
You will receive a separate message today from AmeriCorps State and National, Senior Corps, and AmeriCorps VISTA program directors with additional information on these changes and instructions on how to leverage the newly available resources.
I’m confident that utilizing these vendors will not only increase compliance, but ultimately reduce grantee burden as we streamline the NSCHC process -- this will allow you to focus on your main priority: serving communities in need.
I look forward to seeing shared success and improved compliance across all our programs as we work to improve lives and strengthen communities through national service.
Best,
Barbara Stewart
Chief Executive Officer