Field Directors

Hi everyone!

Do any of your universities (or program itself) require background checks for students? For the purposes of enrollment? Or admissions?

Thanks!

Amanda

Hi everyone!

Do any of your universities (or program itself) require background checks for students? For the purposes of enrollment? Or admissions?

Thanks!

Amanda

Hello Amanda,

Yes, my program requires background checks for both undergraduate and graduate students, as many of our students complete practicum placements that involve direct contact with vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and individuals in crisis. This requirement ensures the safety and well-being of those served and upholds the ethical and professional standards of our discipline. The background check process is completed before the start of any practicum experience to verify that students meet agency and institutional compliance requirements.

Dr. Clarke

​​​​   Anna Clarke ,  DSW, CSW, CAIP Director - Field Education MSW Albert A. Sheen Campus 10000 Castle Burke | Kingshill, VI  00850‑9960 tel:+13406924149 anna.clarke@uvi.edu

Confidentiality and Disclaimer Notice: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or privileged information intended solely for the recipient. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your system. Unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is strictly prohibited. The views expressed in this email are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Email communication is not guaranteed to be secure or error-free, and UVI accepts no liability for any resulting loss, damage, or security breach. Recipients are advised to scan all emails and attachments for security risks.

Hi everyone!

Do any of your universities (or program itself) require background checks for students? For the purposes of enrollment? Or admissions?

Thanks!

Amanda

A couple more questions with this...

who covers the cost?  I know, it is always looking at money, and where it comes from:/

We can't transfer the information with them to their placement, can we???

Don't most agencies require their own through their onboarding process???

It turned out to be 3 questions:)

Hello Amanda,

Yes, my program requires background checks for both undergraduate and graduate students, as many of our students complete practicum placements that involve direct contact with vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and individuals in crisis. This requirement ensures the safety and well-being of those served and upholds the ethical and professional standards of our discipline. The background check process is completed before the start of any practicum experience to verify that students meet agency and institutional compliance requirements.

Dr. Clarke

​​​​   Anna Clarke ,  DSW, CSW, CAIP Director - Field Education MSW Albert A. Sheen Campus 10000 Castle Burke | Kingshill, VI  00850‑9960 tel:+13406924149 anna.clarke@uvi.edu

Confidentiality and Disclaimer Notice: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or privileged information intended solely for the recipient. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your system. Unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is strictly prohibited. The views expressed in this email are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Email communication is not guaranteed to be secure or error-free, and UVI accepts no liability for any resulting loss, damage, or security breach. Recipients are advised to scan all emails and attachments for security risks.

Hi everyone!

Do any of your universities (or program itself) require background checks for students? For the purposes of enrollment? Or admissions?

Thanks!

Amanda

A couple more questions with this...

who covers the cost?  I know, it is always looking at money, and where it comes from:/

We can't transfer the information with them to their placement, can we???

Don't most agencies require their own through their onboarding process???

It turned out to be 3 questions:)

Hello Amanda,

Yes, my program requires background checks for both undergraduate and graduate students, as many of our students complete practicum placements that involve direct contact with vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and individuals in crisis. This requirement ensures the safety and well-being of those served and upholds the ethical and professional standards of our discipline. The background check process is completed before the start of any practicum experience to verify that students meet agency and institutional compliance requirements.

Dr. Clarke

​​​​   Anna Clarke ,  DSW, CSW, CAIP Director - Field Education MSW Albert A. Sheen Campus 10000 Castle Burke | Kingshill, VI  00850‑9960 tel:+13406924149 anna.clarke@uvi.edu

Confidentiality and Disclaimer Notice: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or privileged information intended solely for the recipient. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your system. Unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is strictly prohibited. The views expressed in this email are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Email communication is not guaranteed to be secure or error-free, and UVI accepts no liability for any resulting loss, damage, or security breach. Recipients are advised to scan all emails and attachments for security risks.

Hi everyone!

Do any of your universities (or program itself) require background checks for students? For the purposes of enrollment? Or admissions?

Thanks!

Amanda

Hi,

Our program does not require clearances for the admission process, however, once the student matriculates into the MSW program, the Practicum Questionnaire requires them to disclose past criminal history or anything that could show up as unfavorable on a clearance.  If they disclose anything or answer yes, we review possible implications regarding populations or settings that they will not be able to work.  I also think it depends on your state--for instance, in NJ, if the student will be working with the Dept of Children and Families in any way, for any program, their clearances must be tied directly to the program, and also must be run within 30 days of start date. We do run across this issue when our students are placed in a hospital setting as the area hospitals expect the university to "clear" the student (like nursing).  I have had good luck though in working with HR to assist the student with correct clearance applications and to bill the student directly (if they are unwilling to pay). 

We considered Castlebranch as well, as our nursing dept utilizes them.  We felt the fee to the student was high, especially since health forms, urine drug screens, and OSHA and HIPPA trainings were included in the pkg.  Most of our students are able to use their health insurance or the university's wellness center for health related items.  Other required trainings are usually provided by the site.  This just left about a $56 fee for clearances--which was way less than what Castlebranch charged.       

Hope this helps-- Good luck!

A couple more questions with this...

who covers the cost?  I know, it is always looking at money, and where it comes from:/

We can't transfer the information with them to their placement, can we???

Don't most agencies require their own through their onboarding process???

It turned out to be 3 questions:)

Hello Amanda,

Yes, my program requires background checks for both undergraduate and graduate students, as many of our students complete practicum placements that involve direct contact with vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and individuals in crisis. This requirement ensures the safety and well-being of those served and upholds the ethical and professional standards of our discipline. The background check process is completed before the start of any practicum experience to verify that students meet agency and institutional compliance requirements.

Dr. Clarke

​​​​   Anna Clarke ,  DSW, CSW, CAIP Director - Field Education MSW Albert A. Sheen Campus 10000 Castle Burke | Kingshill, VI  00850‑9960 tel:+13406924149 anna.clarke@uvi.edu

Confidentiality and Disclaimer Notice: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or privileged information intended solely for the recipient. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your system. Unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is strictly prohibited. The views expressed in this email are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Email communication is not guaranteed to be secure or error-free, and UVI accepts no liability for any resulting loss, damage, or security breach. Recipients are advised to scan all emails and attachments for security risks.

Hi everyone!

Do any of your universities (or program itself) require background checks for students? For the purposes of enrollment? Or admissions?

Thanks!

Amanda

Hi everyone!

Do any of your universities (or program itself) require background checks for students? For the purposes of enrollment? Or admissions?

Thanks!

Amanda

Hi Amanda,

I know programs in NYC are using Castlebranch (https://discover.castlebranch.com) and we are currently working to execute a contract with them so we can use them too. We have some sites that require background checks be completed on our end so we are pursuing this new agreement.

Let me know if you would like to discuss or if you'd like any further information from me.

Best-

Cara

Hi everyone!

Do any of your universities (or program itself) require background checks for students? For the purposes of enrollment? Or admissions?

Thanks!

Amanda