Onboarding AmeriCorps Members

Onboarding your AmeriCorps members includes a number of important steps. This includes completing National Service Criminal History Checks (NSCHC) and Enrollment in your AmeriCorps program through the eGrants system. Both topics are covered below and include required trainings and a quiz to be sure you have the knowledge needed to manage these processes correctly. You’ll want to start both processes months or weeks ahead of member Orientation. Be sure to use our Member Onboarding Checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything! 

National Service Criminal History Checks (NSCHC)

AmeriCorps has strict requirements around conducting and documenting background checks. In order to protect your program and those you serve, you’ll want to be sure this is done correctly and on time. There are two REQUIRED providers (vendors) that conduct the checks for you – Truescreen and Fieldprint, however your AmeriCorps Program staff still play a key role in completing and documenting the checks process.

Timing is critical – all checks must be completed at least ONE DAY before any time is accrued by staff or AmeriCorps members. For AmeriCorps members, this includes before Orientation. If you’re a new program, you’ll want to begin this right away – starting with setting up accounts with Truescreen & Fieldprint.  Everything you need to get started is covered in the CV NSCHC Guide and in the resources below.

National Service Criminal History Checks Training

All programs are required to have at least one staff (but we recommend more!) be properly trained on this critical topic. One training is on NSCHC in general and the other is specific to California Volunteers and includes information on using True Screen & Fieldprint to conduct the checks.

AmeriCorps’ NSCHC – Annual Required Training

AmeriCorps has a required annual online training on this topic – start with this training. It ends with a quiz and you will gain a certificate that must be retained. At least one program staff must take this course each year, and re-take it annually before the most current certificate expires. Their training was updated in May 2021 to align with new regulations, so please be sure to take this updated version.

If this is your first time using their learning platform, here’s how to gain access: Visit https://americorpsonlinecourses.litmos.com/self-signup/  Enter the required information. In the Code field, enter: OM-WH-2021. Click “Register.” You’re in! Look out for the account confirmation email.

California Volunteers’ Required Training

National Service Criminal History Checks (NSCHC): Using Truescreen & Fieldprint – June 2021

Programs must have at least one staff watch the California Volunteers training and take the quiz as part of the Program Readiness process.
Watch the Training 
PPT Slides for quick reference

Take the Quiz – after completion, take a screenshot of your score and submit as a Program Readiness Item in Salesforce.

NSCHC Supporting Resources and Guidance


CV NSCHC Guide You’ll find requirements, links to resources and tutorials for going step by step through using Truescreen & Fieldprint. Use this to create your process and resources to share with members or staff prior to checks.

CV NSCHC Verification Form & Instructions May 2021 – where you MUST document the checks process for each person. Follow the instructions page carefully – it covers all key steps in one page!

AmeriCorps NSCHC Manual and NSCHC FAQs These include clear, comprehensive information – please read through them!

FBI Checks: Challenging a ‘Not Cleared’ Result  Instructions to share with your candidate if this occurs.

Using Fieldprint and Truescreen for NSOPW,State and FBI Checks – Find additional helpful info & tips to using these Vendors

FBI Checks: Challenging a ‘Not Cleared’ Result  What a program and candidate can do if this occurs.

CV NSCHC Policy Agreement – outlines our policy – signed as part of the contracting process (Exhibit H)

AmeriCorps Recommended Policy and Procedures – programs must have NSCHC policy & procedures. 

 

AmeriCorps Member Enrollment in eGrants

An important part of member onboarding is enrolling them in your program through the My AmeriCorps portal (also known as eGrants). This involves several steps and should be started weeks or months ahead – finishing with finalizing the enrollment during Pre-Service Orientation week. All programs must have at least one staff take this training and the quiz that follows as part of Program Readiness.

Enrolling Members in eGrants – https://youtu.be/ATMCqeolCDE
After watching the video, take the quiz below. Be sure to click the button at the end to see your score!