• Providers must register for Clearinghouse use. For instructions on how to gain access to the Clearinghouse, click on the “SSO User Guide for DJJ Providers” tab above.
  • (Complete the registration process and send forms to the Background Screening Unit (BSU).
• New fees will apply. Clearinghouse fees are estimated at *$69.00 and up. Livescan provider/vendor fees may vary. (*This is a conservative estimate and may not be the actual rate.)

• Verification of the applicant’s driver’s license and social security number is a Clearinghouse requirement. These documents must be faxed or e-mailed to the BSU each time a screening is initiated in the Clearinghouse. Our confidential fax number and e-mail address are as follows: (Fax# (850) 921-6348 or e-mail address: Generalbsu@djj.state.fl.us.

• Provider applicants and employees working in a Residential or Detention facility or program must complete the PREA-Criminal History Acknowledgement Form IG/BSU-003. Human Resource staff must maintain a copy of this form in their personnel file and fax or e-mail a copy to the BSU each time a screening is initiated in the Clearinghouse. (Note: This form can be printed from the DJJ website and is only required when screening individuals for a Residential or Detention facility or program.)

All persons required by law to be screened must be eligible before they can have contact with youth or youth records.

An employer may hire an applicant to a position that requires background screening before screening is completed for training and orientation purposes only. During training and orientation, the applicant may not have contact with youth or youth records or be on the grounds where youth are housed or receiving services until the screening process is completed and the applicant demonstrates that he or she exhibits no behaviors that warrant the denial or termination of employment.

REPORTING ARRESTS

If an employer becomes aware that an employee or volunteer has been arrested for a disqualifying offense, the employer must take the following actions until the arrest is resolved:

• Remove the employee or volunteer from contact with all youth and youth records
• Remove the employee or volunteer from the grounds where youth are housed or receiving services
• Report the arrest to the Central Communications Center at (800) 355-2280

Prior Screening Conducted by DJJ or another Specified Agency

If a person has been screened through the Clearinghouse by one of the other specified state agencies and a Department Contract Provider (DCP) wants to hire that individual, the DCP must:

• Check for the applicant on the Clearinghouse Results Website (CRW)
• If the applicant has been screened, their status will display Agency Review Required.
• You must then request a FREE Agency Review by clicking the Agency Review button
• You must fax or e-mail the following documents to the screening unit:
  • Form IG/BSU-002
  • Copy of Driver's License
  • Copy of Social Security Card
  • Form IG/BSU-003 (If applicable)
• The BSU will receive the request and make an eligibility determination
• The applicant’s status will display the new determination on the CRW

A New screening may be required if:

• There is a break in service and the person has not been employed with any of the specified agencies for more than 90 days
• To avoid unnecessary screenings, remember to add individuals to your Employee Roster within the Clearinghouse
• The criminal history (fingerprint result) housed in the Clearinghouse is more than five years old 
• After five years, subsequent fingerprint retention fees have not been paid

Specified State Agencies

• Agency for Health Care Administration
• Agency for Persons with Disabilities
• Department of Children and Family Services
• Department of Education-Vocational Rehabilitation
• Department of Elder Affairs
• Department of Health
• Department of Juvenile Justice

It is very important for all screenings to be initiated through the Clearinghouse website prior to sending an applicant for fingerprinting to a Livescan Service Provider. Initiating the original screening online will provide the privacy policy required for the employee to be included in the Clearinghouse and will also supply a view of the Florida Public Rap Sheet. Also, initiating the screening affords the ability to track a screening through the process and email updates when an applicant’s or employee's status has been changed or updated.

SCREENING RESULTS

Evidence of screening must be retained in the personnel files for those screened.

CRIMINAL HISTORY CONFIDENTIALITY

Level 2 screening records are confidential and may not be shared with anyone other than the individual that was screened.

PROCESSING DELAYS

If the court’s finding is missing from the criminal history report, DJJ will contact the person screened through certified mail (based on the address submitted to FDLE) for additional information, which will delay the processing of the screening.

The employer should contact the person screened if delays exist.

The following documents are required when applying for an Exemption.

• Complete and submit the Request for Exemption from Ineligibility form (Form IG/BSU-005 Part II)
• Submit the required documents, statements, and letters of recommendations as outlined in Form IG/BSU-005 Part I
• Applicants seeking an exemption have the burden of setting forth clear and convincing evidence she/she should not be disqualified from employment or as a volunteer, including, but not limited to:

1. The circumstances surrounding the criminal incident for which an exemption is sought,
2. The time period that has lapsed since the incident,
3. The nature of the harm caused to the victim,
4. The history of the person since the incident,
5. Or any other evidence or circumstances indicating the person will not present a danger if employment is allowed.

An exemption denial made by the Agency Head or his or her designee may be appealed to the Division of Administrative Hearing (DOAH) pursuant to section 120.57, F.S.  

Governing Statutes: 985.644 and 435.04

Each contract entered into by the department for services delivered on an appointment or intermittent basis by a provider that does not have regular custodial responsibility for children and each contract with a school for services must ensure that all owners, operators, and personnel who have direct contact with children are subject to level 2 background screening pursuant to chapter 435.

A volunteer who assists the department or any program for children on an intermittent basis for less than 10 hours per month need not be screened if a person who meets the screening requirement of this section is always present and has the volunteer in his or her line of sight.

All contract provider and grant recipient:

• directors,
• owners,
• applicants,
• employees,
• volunteers,
• mentors,
• interns,
• and researchers.

SCREENING FEES

Livescan and 5-Year Rescreen (resubmission) fees may vary depending upon the Livescan provider fees.

• Livescan fees are estimated at $69.00 and up
• 5-Year Rescreen (resubmission) fess are estimated at 45.00 and up
• 90 day Resubmission fees (break in service of more than 90 days) are estimated at 22.00 and up