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FDLE VECHS Program Fingerprinting

🗸FDLE-AUTHORIZED 🗸PRIVATE-SCHOOLS 🗸YOUTH ATHLETICS 🗸WALK-IN 🗸MOBILE

VECHS Program’s mission is to protect vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and the disabled by conducting background checks on individuals who work with them. This screening is authorized by the National Child Protection Act (NCPA) (1993) and Florida Statute 943.0542, enabling State and Nationwide FBI Background Screenings.

At our walk-in office located at 4012 SW 18th Street, West Park, FL 33023, the cost of VECHS Employee Screening  is $60.00 and VECHS Volunteer Screening is $50.00 and includes:

(i) Fingerprint capture and submissions of your fingerprints for Level 2 Screening under your organizations VECHS Number.

(ii) Governmental Costs and Taxes

We also offer Mobile Fingerprinting Services throughout South Florida.

Furthermore, we provide a convenient service for out-of-state applicants. If you have prints taken on FD-258 Fingerprint Cards that need to be processed, we can digitize your prints by scanning the cards and submitting the digital file under your VECHS Number.

To request more information or a quote for our Mobile Fingerprinting or Fingerprint Card Scanning services, please call us today at (954) 239-8590 or send us an email at info@myidentico.com.

1. What is the VECHS program, and who can benefit from it? The VECHS (Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System) program, run by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), assists organizations, including private schools, in conducting criminal history checks on individuals who work or volunteer with children, the elderly, or the disabled. This program is especially helpful for entities not required to obtain Level 2 background screening clearance under statutory provisions.

2. How do I start using the VECHS program for my private school? Begin by contacting The Florida Department of Education (DOE) Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice to determine who in your organization requires fingerprinting. Then, enroll in the VECHS program. Private schools, offering services to children, can participate in FDLE’s VECHS program, as mandated by Section 1002.421, F.S., especially if they participate in scholarship programs.

3. What documents do I need to submit for enrollment? To enroll, submit the VECHS Application and User Agreement to FDLE. These forms must be signed by the appropriate school authority. You may download these forms at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Background-Checks/VECHS-Process-and-Forms.

4. What information and resources does the VECHS program provide after enrollment? Upon enrollment, you will receive a packet containing:

  • Qualified Entity Numbers for employees and volunteers
  • Forms and information for submitting fingerprints electronically
  • VECHS Waiver Agreement and Statement
  • Contacts for criminal record repositories in other states
  • Florida Clerks of Court information
  • Instructions for individuals to obtain their own criminal records for review
  • A sample dissemination log for sharing criminal history information with other private schools

5. Can I share criminal history information obtained through VECHS with other private schools? Yes, with the applicant’s permission, you can share criminal history information with other registered VECHS private schools. You must log the dissemination details, ensuring it’s shared only with other registered VECHS entities.

6. Are private school owners subject to the same requirements as employees and contracted personnel? Private school owners must have fingerprints taken and sent to FDLE for a state-level criminal history record check upon taking ownership. This information is sent to DOE for inspection. Owners must submit fingerprints separately from the VECHS program if state and national criminal record checks are required for scholarship funding.

7. What are Level 1 and Level 2 Background Checks? These terms refer to the extent of the data searched during a criminal history check in Florida. Level 1 involves a state-only name-based check and employment history review. Level 2 includes a state and national fingerprint-based check, consideration of disqualifying offenses, and applies to individuals holding positions of responsibility or trust.

8. What does “retention of applicant fingerprints for reverse searches” mean? FDLE retains fingerprints submitted by private schools after July 1, 2007. Incoming Florida arrest fingerprints are compared to these retained prints. If a match is found, FDLE notifies the private school of the arrest, including the county and arresting agency details.

9. How can private schools submit fingerprints electronically? To submit fingerprints electronically, private schools must be registered VECHS entities, complete the CWCS VECHS Customer Registration Form, and arrange fingerprinting on a Livescan device.

10. What fees are associated with criminal history record checks for private school employees and contracted personnel? The fees may vary by vendor, but IDENTICO LLC offers competitive rates. Standard individual VECHS Employee screening is $60.00, and VECHS Volunteer screening is $50.00.

11. How do I access criminal history results after submitting fingerprints electronically? Criminal history results for electronic submissions are posted in FDLE’s secure mail application called “CertifiedMail.” You’ll receive an email notification containing the link to access and view the results securely.

12. What is the difference between the National Child Protection Act and the Volunteers for Children Act? These names refer to the same federal law, which has also been called the Foley Act. They are used interchangeably and relate to federal legislation that Florida’s Section 943.0542 of the Florida Statutes (1999) was enacted to implement.

13. On what legislation is the VECHS program based? The VECHS program was initiated by FDLE in 1999, based on Florida Statute 943.0542 (1999). This statute aligns with the National Child Protection Act (NCPA) and its amendments. FDLE follows federal guidelines for the interpretation of this legislation.

The Jessica Lunsford Act was passed by the 2005 Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Bush following the assault and murder of Jessica Lunsford in Homosassa Springs, Florida. This crime was allegedly committed by an individual who had at one time worked as a subcontracted mason at Jessica Lunsford’s school. The Act focused primarily on increasing the measures used to monitor sexual offenders or predators. However, part of the Act specifically related to individuals with access to school district campuses. This Technical Assistance Paper (TAP) is to provide assistance to districts and contractual personnel to implement s. 1012.465, Florida Statutes, as amended by the 2005 Legislature.

Section 1012.465, Florida Statutes, now states:

(1) Non-instructional school district employees or contractual personnel who are permitted access on school grounds when students are present, who have direct contact with students, or who have access to or control of school funds must meet Level 2 screening requirements as described in s. 1012.32, F.S. Contractual personnel shall include any vendor, individual, or entity under contract with the school board.
The statute, as amended, applies to three categories of either non-instructional or contractual personnel, all of whom must meet Level 2 background screening requirements, including those:

1. Who is permitted access to school grounds when students are present,
2. Who has direct contact with students, or
3. Who has access to or control of school funds.
The statute applies to such persons employed or contracted with any Florida public school district in any Florida public school, including:
-Traditional Public Schools
-Charter Schools
-Alternative Schools

District Responsibilities

1. Background Screening:
School districts must conduct the fingerprinting/background screening of noninstructional or contractual personnel at a location designated by the district using the code (ORI – Originating Agency Identifier) issued to the district by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and determine whether the individual has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.

2. Verification of Personnel on School Campuses:
For affected persons, each district must establish policies and procedures to ensure that only individuals who have undergone a background screening and have been approved to come on campus are allowed access to school grounds when students are present, or to have direct contact with students, or to have access or control over school funds.
In addition, each district must establish communication policies and procedures to ensure that all pertinent parties are notified when an individual terminates service with the district.

3. Sharing of Records:
Districts may share background screening results with other public school districts and are encouraged to do so to reduce the time and fiscal impact on certain service providers who may be providing contractual services in multiple districts.
Such persons may include:
– Vendors, including soda/milk/snack vendors under contract with the district
-Sports officials
-Construction contractors and subcontractors
-Senior ring, photography, or yearbook vendors

Should districts choose to share records, it is recommended that the cooperating districts execute a Memorandum of Understanding that clearly spells out the role to be played by each district. Any employee provided access to criminal history records should be cautioned as to the confidentiality of the information contained within the record, and should not discuss such information outside of those also legally allowed access to such record.

4. Maintenance of Records:
After receiving the initial background check results from the FDLE, the original submitting district will thereafter be electronically notified by FDLE, in writing, of any new arrests. The original submitting district should forward the arrest information to any districts with which they have shared the criminal record. In addition, s. 1012.32(3), F.S., requires each school district to inform the FDLE of any change in the affiliation, employment, or contractual status of an individual previously fingerprinted.

The prints of an individual who terminates service with a district and is later re-engaged to provide additional services must be re-submitted to the FDLE. Those individuals who provide services on a periodic basis pursuant to an ongoing contract and who do not effectively break service should continue to have their arrest record results transmitted to the district by the FDLE.

The requirements applicable to those entities receiving fingerprint background check results are set forth in Rule 11C-6.010, promulgated by the FDLE pursuant to authority in s. 1012.32(3), F.S.

IDENTICO LLC provides background screening services to several private schools, whose background screening policies are based on the National Child Protection Act (NCPA) as well as on the Jessica Lunsford Act. Such private educational entities are qualified to obtain Level II background screening through the VECHS program. The Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System (VECHS) program allows for qualified entities to obtain state and national criminal history record checks on individuals working with children, the elderly, or the disabled. Under the NCPA and Florida statute, a “qualified entity” is a business or organization, whether public, private, for-profit, not-for-profit, or voluntary, that provides care or care placement services, including a business or organization that licenses or certifies others to provide care or care placement services. “Care” means the provision of care, treatment, education, training, instruction, supervision, or recreation to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities.

(1) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Athletic coach” means a person who:

1. Is authorized by an independent sanctioning authority to work for 20 or more hours within a calendar year, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, for a youth athletic team based in this state; and

2. Has direct contact with one or more minors on the youth athletic team.

(b) “Independent sanctioning authority” means a private, nongovernmental entity that organizes, operates, or coordinates a youth athletic team in this state if the team includes one or more minors and is not affiliated with a private school as defined in s. 1002.01.

(2) An independent sanctioning authority shall:

(a)1. Conduct a background screening of each current and prospective athletic coach. No person shall be authorized by the independent sanctioning authority to act as an athletic coach after July 1, 2010, unless a background screening has been conducted and did not result in disqualification under paragraph (b). background screenings shall be conducted annually for each athletic coach. For purposes of this section, a background screening shall be conducted with a search of the athletic coach’s name or other identifying information against state and federal registries of sexual predators and sexual offenders, which are available to the public on Internet sites provided by:

a. The Department of Law Enforcement under s. 943.043; and

b. The Attorney General of the United States under 42 U.S.C. s. 16920.

2. For purposes of this section, a background screening conducted by a commercial consumer reporting agency in compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act using the identifying information referenced in subparagraph 1. and that includes searching that information against the sexual predator and sexual offender Internet sites listed in sub-subparagraphs 1.a. and b. shall be deemed in compliance with the requirements of this section.

(b) Disqualify any person from acting as an athletic coach if he or she is identified on a registry described in paragraph (a).

(c) Provide, within 7 business days following the background screening under paragraph (a), written notice to a person disqualified under this section advising the person of the results and of his or her disqualification.

(d) Maintain documentation of:

1. The results for each person screened under paragraph (a); and

2. The written notice of disqualification is provided to each person under paragraph (c).

(3) In a civil action for the death of, or injury or damage to, a third person caused by the intentional tort of an athletic coach that relates to alleged sexual misconduct by the athletic coach, there is a rebuttable presumption that the independent sanctioning authority was not negligent in authorizing the athletic coach if the authority complied with the background screening and disqualification requirements of subsection (2) prior to such authorization.

(4) The Legislature encourages independent sanctioning authorities for youth athletic teams to participate in the Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System, as authorized by the National Child Protection Act of 1993 and s. 943.0542.

VECHS Program’s mission is to protect vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and the disabled by conducting background checks on individuals who work with them. This screening is authorized by the National Child Protection Act (NCPA) (1993) and Florida Statute 943.0542, enabling State and Nationwide FBI Background Screenings.

At our walk-in office located at 4012 SW 18th Street, West Park, FL 33023, the cost of VECHS Employee Screening  is $60.00 and VECHS Volunteer Screening is $50.00 and includes:

(i) Fingerprint capture and submissions of your fingerprints for Level 2 Screening under your organizations VECHS Number.

(ii) Governmental Costs and Taxes

We also offer Mobile Fingerprinting Services throughout South Florida.

Furthermore, we provide a convenient service for out-of-state applicants. If you have prints taken on FD-258 Fingerprint Cards that need to be processed, we can digitize your prints by scanning the cards and submitting the digital file under your VECHS Number.

To request more information or a quote for our Mobile Fingerprinting or Fingerprint Card Scanning services, please call us today at (954) 239-8590 or send us an email at info@myidentico.com.

1. What is the VECHS program, and who can benefit from it? The VECHS (Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System) program, run by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), assists organizations, including private schools, in conducting criminal history checks on individuals who work or volunteer with children, the elderly, or the disabled. This program is especially helpful for entities not required to obtain Level 2 background screening clearance under statutory provisions.

2. How do I start using the VECHS program for my private school? Begin by contacting The Florida Department of Education (DOE) Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice to determine who in your organization requires fingerprinting. Then, enroll in the VECHS program. Private schools, offering services to children, can participate in FDLE’s VECHS program, as mandated by Section 1002.421, F.S., especially if they participate in scholarship programs.

3. What documents do I need to submit for enrollment? To enroll, submit the VECHS Application and User Agreement to FDLE. These forms must be signed by the appropriate school authority. You may download these forms at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Background-Checks/VECHS-Process-and-Forms.

4. What information and resources does the VECHS program provide after enrollment? Upon enrollment, you will receive a packet containing:

  • Qualified Entity Numbers for employees and volunteers
  • Forms and information for submitting fingerprints electronically
  • VECHS Waiver Agreement and Statement
  • Contacts for criminal record repositories in other states
  • Florida Clerks of Court information
  • Instructions for individuals to obtain their own criminal records for review
  • A sample dissemination log for sharing criminal history information with other private schools

5. Can I share criminal history information obtained through VECHS with other private schools? Yes, with the applicant’s permission, you can share criminal history information with other registered VECHS private schools. You must log the dissemination details, ensuring it’s shared only with other registered VECHS entities.

6. Are private school owners subject to the same requirements as employees and contracted personnel? Private school owners must have fingerprints taken and sent to FDLE for a state-level criminal history record check upon taking ownership. This information is sent to DOE for inspection. Owners must submit fingerprints separately from the VECHS program if state and national criminal record checks are required for scholarship funding.

7. What are Level 1 and Level 2 Background Checks? These terms refer to the extent of the data searched during a criminal history check in Florida. Level 1 involves a state-only name-based check and employment history review. Level 2 includes a state and national fingerprint-based check, consideration of disqualifying offenses, and applies to individuals holding positions of responsibility or trust.

8. What does “retention of applicant fingerprints for reverse searches” mean? FDLE retains fingerprints submitted by private schools after July 1, 2007. Incoming Florida arrest fingerprints are compared to these retained prints. If a match is found, FDLE notifies the private school of the arrest, including the county and arresting agency details.

9. How can private schools submit fingerprints electronically? To submit fingerprints electronically, private schools must be registered VECHS entities, complete the CWCS VECHS Customer Registration Form, and arrange fingerprinting on a Livescan device.

10. What fees are associated with criminal history record checks for private school employees and contracted personnel? The fees may vary by vendor, but IDENTICO LLC offers competitive rates. Standard individual VECHS Employee screening is $60.00, and VECHS Volunteer screening is $50.00.

11. How do I access criminal history results after submitting fingerprints electronically? Criminal history results for electronic submissions are posted in FDLE’s secure mail application called “CertifiedMail.” You’ll receive an email notification containing the link to access and view the results securely.

12. What is the difference between the National Child Protection Act and the Volunteers for Children Act? These names refer to the same federal law, which has also been called the Foley Act. They are used interchangeably and relate to federal legislation that Florida’s Section 943.0542 of the Florida Statutes (1999) was enacted to implement.

13. On what legislation is the VECHS program based? The VECHS program was initiated by FDLE in 1999, based on Florida Statute 943.0542 (1999). This statute aligns with the National Child Protection Act (NCPA) and its amendments. FDLE follows federal guidelines for the interpretation of this legislation.

The Jessica Lunsford Act was passed by the 2005 Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Bush following the assault and murder of Jessica Lunsford in Homosassa Springs, Florida. This crime was allegedly committed by an individual who had at one time worked as a subcontracted mason at Jessica Lunsford’s school. The Act focused primarily on increasing the measures used to monitor sexual offenders or predators. However, part of the Act specifically related to individuals with access to school district campuses. This Technical Assistance Paper (TAP) is to provide assistance to districts and contractual personnel to implement s. 1012.465, Florida Statutes, as amended by the 2005 Legislature.

Section 1012.465, Florida Statutes, now states:

(1) Non-instructional school district employees or contractual personnel who are permitted access on school grounds when students are present, who have direct contact with students, or who have access to or control of school funds must meet Level 2 screening requirements as described in s. 1012.32, F.S. Contractual personnel shall include any vendor, individual, or entity under contract with the school board.
The statute, as amended, applies to three categories of either non-instructional or contractual personnel, all of whom must meet Level 2 background screening requirements, including those:

1. Who is permitted access to school grounds when students are present,
2. Who has direct contact with students, or
3. Who has access to or control of school funds.
The statute applies to such persons employed or contracted with any Florida public school district in any Florida public school, including:
-Traditional Public Schools
-Charter Schools
-Alternative Schools

District Responsibilities

1. Background Screening:
School districts must conduct the fingerprinting/background screening of noninstructional or contractual personnel at a location designated by the district using the code (ORI – Originating Agency Identifier) issued to the district by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and determine whether the individual has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.

2. Verification of Personnel on School Campuses:
For affected persons, each district must establish policies and procedures to ensure that only individuals who have undergone a background screening and have been approved to come on campus are allowed access to school grounds when students are present, or to have direct contact with students, or to have access or control over school funds.
In addition, each district must establish communication policies and procedures to ensure that all pertinent parties are notified when an individual terminates service with the district.

3. Sharing of Records:
Districts may share background screening results with other public school districts and are encouraged to do so to reduce the time and fiscal impact on certain service providers who may be providing contractual services in multiple districts.
Such persons may include:
– Vendors, including soda/milk/snack vendors under contract with the district
-Sports officials
-Construction contractors and subcontractors
-Senior ring, photography, or yearbook vendors

Should districts choose to share records, it is recommended that the cooperating districts execute a Memorandum of Understanding that clearly spells out the role to be played by each district. Any employee provided access to criminal history records should be cautioned as to the confidentiality of the information contained within the record, and should not discuss such information outside of those also legally allowed access to such record.

4. Maintenance of Records:
After receiving the initial background check results from the FDLE, the original submitting district will thereafter be electronically notified by FDLE, in writing, of any new arrests. The original submitting district should forward the arrest information to any districts with which they have shared the criminal record. In addition, s. 1012.32(3), F.S., requires each school district to inform the FDLE of any change in the affiliation, employment, or contractual status of an individual previously fingerprinted.

The prints of an individual who terminates service with a district and is later re-engaged to provide additional services must be re-submitted to the FDLE. Those individuals who provide services on a periodic basis pursuant to an ongoing contract and who do not effectively break service should continue to have their arrest record results transmitted to the district by the FDLE.

The requirements applicable to those entities receiving fingerprint background check results are set forth in Rule 11C-6.010, promulgated by the FDLE pursuant to authority in s. 1012.32(3), F.S.

IDENTICO LLC provides background screening services to several private schools, whose background screening policies are based on the National Child Protection Act (NCPA) as well as on the Jessica Lunsford Act. Such private educational entities are qualified to obtain Level II background screening through the VECHS program. The Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System (VECHS) program allows for qualified entities to obtain state and national criminal history record checks on individuals working with children, the elderly, or the disabled. Under the NCPA and Florida statute, a “qualified entity” is a business or organization, whether public, private, for-profit, not-for-profit, or voluntary, that provides care or care placement services, including a business or organization that licenses or certifies others to provide care or care placement services. “Care” means the provision of care, treatment, education, training, instruction, supervision, or recreation to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities.

(1) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Athletic coach” means a person who:

1. Is authorized by an independent sanctioning authority to work for 20 or more hours within a calendar year, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, for a youth athletic team based in this state; and

2. Has direct contact with one or more minors on the youth athletic team.

(b) “Independent sanctioning authority” means a private, nongovernmental entity that organizes, operates, or coordinates a youth athletic team in this state if the team includes one or more minors and is not affiliated with a private school as defined in s. 1002.01.

(2) An independent sanctioning authority shall:

(a)1. Conduct a background screening of each current and prospective athletic coach. No person shall be authorized by the independent sanctioning authority to act as an athletic coach after July 1, 2010, unless a background screening has been conducted and did not result in disqualification under paragraph (b). background screenings shall be conducted annually for each athletic coach. For purposes of this section, a background screening shall be conducted with a search of the athletic coach’s name or other identifying information against state and federal registries of sexual predators and sexual offenders, which are available to the public on Internet sites provided by:

a. The Department of Law Enforcement under s. 943.043; and

b. The Attorney General of the United States under 42 U.S.C. s. 16920.

2. For purposes of this section, a background screening conducted by a commercial consumer reporting agency in compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act using the identifying information referenced in subparagraph 1. and that includes searching that information against the sexual predator and sexual offender Internet sites listed in sub-subparagraphs 1.a. and b. shall be deemed in compliance with the requirements of this section.

(b) Disqualify any person from acting as an athletic coach if he or she is identified on a registry described in paragraph (a).

(c) Provide, within 7 business days following the background screening under paragraph (a), written notice to a person disqualified under this section advising the person of the results and of his or her disqualification.

(d) Maintain documentation of:

1. The results for each person screened under paragraph (a); and

2. The written notice of disqualification is provided to each person under paragraph (c).

(3) In a civil action for the death of, or injury or damage to, a third person caused by the intentional tort of an athletic coach that relates to alleged sexual misconduct by the athletic coach, there is a rebuttable presumption that the independent sanctioning authority was not negligent in authorizing the athletic coach if the authority complied with the background screening and disqualification requirements of subsection (2) prior to such authorization.

(4) The Legislature encourages independent sanctioning authorities for youth athletic teams to participate in the Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System, as authorized by the National Child Protection Act of 1993 and s. 943.0542.