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Partner agencies use our services to screen prospective mentors and other organizations and companies use our services to screen prospective employees. Our service is open to the public and new clients are welcomed.
- Electronic BCI Ohio fingerprint reports required by some agencies and for all teachers and staff at Ohio K-12 schools. To determine which report(s) are required, individuals should contact their agency for specific agency requirements and/or Ohio law.
- Personnel Security, Inc. (PSI) conducts national non-fingerprint reports. This convenient report searches for criminal offenses in the USA.
How are background checks/fingerprints processed?
Information is obtained from the applicant's driver's license by swiping it through a magnetic strip reader. The applicant's fingerprints are scanned by a fingerprint scanner. The computer then sends the fingerprint and information from the driver's license or identification card as an encrypted message over the Internet to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII), which compares the information against the criminal histories stored in the database. The Mentoring Center forwards the information received to the agency/company requesting the background check. Each organization determines the appropriateness of individuals based on its specific eligibility criteria.
When can applicants get a background check completed?
Applicants must make an appointment prior to coming to the Mentoring Center 's office at Firstlink at 195 N. Grant Avenue. Appointment times are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. weekdays based on staff availability. In the event our staff is unavailable at the time of your call, individuals should leave a voice mail message that they need a background check. Our staff will call the individual as soon as possible to schedule an appointment time.
Where is The Mentoring Center office located?
• Our office is conveniently located in downtown Columbus at 195 N. Grant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215 at the corner of Spring Street (just west of Columbus State Community College ). The Mentoring Center office is located within the Firstlink building (a two-story brick building).
• Our office is on a bus line.
• Parking meters are available around the building. A short-term parking space is located next to the handicap spot. All other spaces are reserved for employees.
Background checks are processed in less than five minutes per person.
The Mentoring Center normally receives results within two business days. We will mail reports to the requesting organization within 1-3 business days of our receiving results. If the applicant has a record--or a further search is necessary--results are processed in 15-25 business days.
• Applicant will need to provide proof of driver's license or state ID and Social Security number.
• For a BCI report, the applicant should be an Ohio resident for at least five years. If not, then a PSI or FBI check will be completed. The agency should specify whether a FBI fingerprint check is required.
• Applicants must verify current and previously used names.
The Mentoring Center normally receives results from BCI or PSI within two business days. We will mail reports to the requesting organization within 1-3 business days of our receiving results. If the applicant has a record--or a further search is necessary--results are processed in 15-25 business days.
How can I establish an account with The Mentoring Center to access the Webcheck service?
Just call our MentorLine at 614.233.MENT(6368) and make an appointment to discuss how your agency can access our webcheck technology. Each agency is required to complete an application and to adhere to procedures outlined in this document. Agencies will need to inform our office which type of background check should be completed for applicants . Agencies will be billed at the beginning of every month. The Mentoring Center will provide a summary of all the individuals who completed a background check.
What is the difference between a BCI fingerprint and PSI background check?
Some agencies require an actual fingerprint report and others require a background check. Personnel Systematic Investigations (PSI) is a national background check service that researches criminal activity within the United States. Occasionally fingerprints are unreadable or a person has not lived in Ohio for 5 years. In those instances, our office completes a PSI background check.
A BCI (Ohio Bureau of Criminal Invesigation and Identification) fingerprint check searches only Ohio records.
How can I receive an FBI report?
Please contact The Mentoring Center at 614.233.MENT (6368) for more information about receiving an FBI report.
When are BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicle) checks needed?
BMV checks are needed when a mentor will transport a child in their car. For protection from liability, an agency must establish standards that assure the quality of the driver before permitting a young person to be driven by a mentor. The agency must also validate that the driver has current, adequate insurance and car registration.
Does the applicant need to do anything else?
Each applicant must verbally identify the agency and contact name of the agency where background check results should be mailed. Each applicant is required to sign a waiver providing the Mentoring Center of Central Ohio with permission to conduct the background check and also to indicate in writing where results should be sent. Agencies are welcome to obtain a blank copy of our waiver form upon request.
What else does our agency or company need to know?
In order to process applicants in a timely manner, it is the agency's or company's responsibility to inform applicants of above procedures. For groups of five or more, please help us serve you by calling one-three days in advance.
How can my volunteer youth program receive background checks?
The Mentoring Center provides background checks at no cost to our registered partner agencies that meet our standards and follow guidelines established by MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership. This service is available only for ongoing volunteer mentor/tutors. Partner agencies must conduct a second level screening such as reference check and interview.
Youth agencies may also require volunteers who are responsible for driving children to complete a Bureau of Motor Vehicle report and provide proof of automobile insurance.
At this point, your agency can make a final decision about the suitability of the applicant based on agency eligibility criteria and as specified in Ohio Revised Code 109.577. |
