Onboarding AmeriCorps Members

National Service Criminal History Checks

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 vendors that conduct the checks for you – Truescreen and Fieldprint.

Timing is critical – all checks must be completed before any time is accrued by staff or AmeriCorps members.  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 the two required vendors.

CNCS NSCHC Annual Required Training

Programs must have one staff watch the training annually. It ends with a quiz and you will gain a certificate that must be retained. The CNCS designated e-course provides a thorough overview of the requirements and can be found at: https://www.nationalservice.gov/reqCHCtraining. Please use the link https://cncsonlinecourses.litmos.com/self-signup and code CNCS-Litmos to set up your Litmos account.

CV NSCHC Using Truescreen & Fieldprint Training

Programs must have at least one staff watch the California Volunteers training and take the quiz as part of the Program Readiness process.

After watching the video, take the quiz below. Be sure to click the button at the end to see your score!

• Click here to take the quiz. Please let your Program Officer know when you’ve completed it. 
• We also highly recommend watching CNCS’ Check Your Check (20 mins) for ensuring compliant Truescreen & Fieldprint checks. It contains helpful tips and common errors. Since living allowance (members) or salary (staff) can be disallowed for the entire period of noncompliance, we want to be sure you get these right. 

NSCHC Supporting Resources and Guidance

• CV NSCHC Guide – everything you need in an editable form. You’ll find requirements, links to resources, and step by step tutorials for using Truescreen & Fieldprint. Use this to create your process & training resources.
• Using Truescreen & Fieldprint for NSOPW, State and FBI checks — details on both vendors and how to be sure checks are compliant.
• CV NSCHC Verification Form COVID version – where you document the checks process for each person
• CV NSCHC Policy (Exhibit H) COVID version – signed as part of contracting process
• Accompaniment Requirements while FBI check is pending – required only when there are Fieldprint closures due to COVID19
• NSCHC Megasearch – NSCHC FAQs & Other Truescreen & Fieldprint information
• CV NSCHC Policy and Procedures Development Steps Checklist – programs must develop NSCHC policy & procedures as part of the Readiness process
• CNCS NSCHC Guide to Enforcement Action – the cost of late, non-compliant or missing checks is severe – including disallowance of member living allowances or staff salary for up to 6 months!
• CV NSCHC Tracker – you can use this to track your checks process and submit to CV later
• We also highly recommend watching CNCS’ Check Your Check (20 mins) for ensuring compliant Truescreen & Fieldprint checks. It contains helpful tips and common errors. Since living allowance (members) or salary (staff) can be disallowed for the entire period of noncompliance, we want to be sure you get these right. 

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 the last step of 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.

For new programs or new staff we recommend the full enrollment training: Enrolling Members in eGrants – Full Training

For staff more familiar with the process, here is an abbreviated version:

After watching the video, take the quiz below. Be sure to click the button at the end to see your score!

• Click here to take the quiz. Please let your Program Officer know when you’ve completed it.
• Find the Slides for Using eGrants for Enrollment, Exits, Suspensions & More – covers all aspects of member management in eGrants.
• Here’s a brief 3-page tutorial that walks you through Enrollment & Exiting members!