Background Check Portal

Thank you for your interest in the Global Insights High School Exchange Program. In order to better ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our participants, criminal background checks must be run on all staff, Area Representatives, and host families participating in the program. Please read the information below regarding the two options Global Insights has provided for you to submit your information for the Criminal Background Check (CBC):

Please read the information below to better understand the options above and the background check process. If you have previously read the information below, click here to go directly to the online portal.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

Why does Global Insights require background checks?
In May 2006, the US State Department revised its regulations for Secondary Programs to include criminal background checks for all staff, field representatives, and host families. Such a requirement has been standard for many years with other youth based organizations, including the YMCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, youth sports clubs, school administrators, and day care centers. These measures will continue to support our policy to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our participants.

When does the background check need to be run and who will be checked?
Host family background checks must be completed before the student arrives to begin his/her program. Checks on Global Insights staff and Area Representatives must be run on a yearly basis and be conducted prior to that person having any contact with students. Any person 18 or over who lists your home as his/her permanent address, regardless of the amount of time that he/she currently spends in the home, must be screened. This includes college students who come back to your home during school breaks, as well as household members who live with you part time. Each individual must submit a separate background check authorization.

Who conducts the background check and what is done with the data collected in the search?
Global Insights partners with Intellicorp Records Inc. for our criminal background checks. When you submit the electronic authorization below or complete the Criminal Background Check Form, Intellicorp conducts a national criminal file search. This will access information from the department of corrections, state criminal records, county court records, sex offender registries, and other criminal records databases. This search will not reveal any credit or financial information and is compliant with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guidelines. Upon completing this search, Intellicorp passes on the results to our organization, along with the other information you submit in the authorization section portal. If a criminal background check reveals a criminal history for an individual, the results will be reviewed and evaluated by our compliance team. We are screening for offenses that would be relevant to providing a safe environment for the student. Generally, no person convicted of a felony may participate in this program as an employee, contractor, volunteer, or host. Misdemeanor convictions of a non-violent nature will be reviewed by the Global Insights staff for final adjudication and fair treatment. An experienced staff member from our national office will call you to discuss any records appearing on the background check. With your explicit permission, some information may be provided to the natural parents of the student you would like to host.

How long does it take to run the criminal background check?
Criminal background checks can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. Global Insights (using the information provided by the applicant on the Criminal Background Check Form) or the applicant, (through information he/she enters on the online portal), transfers the pertinent information to Intellicorp.net. A background check is then processed through a number of databases, specifically those dealing with the National Criminal File, State Criminal Database Search, Motor Vehicle Records, Social Security Verification and Identity Verification. Once the background checks are completed, Global Insights staff reviews the results. The records are stored electronically at Intellicorp.net. If you are interested in more information regarding the procedures and the integrity of our provider, we encourage you to visit their website at www.intellicorp.net.

Who will have access to my information?
Only the management of Global Insights will have access to the results of background checks. This information will not become public knowledge.

How will my privacy be protected?
Global Insights recognizes that its need to investigate a criminal history must be balanced with the need to protect an individual’s privacy. Global Insights, together with state and federal laws, recognizes the individual’s right to privacy and prohibits our employees and others from seeking, using, or disclosing personal information except within the scope of their assigned duties. Criminal history information will be used only for the purpose of evaluating the person or person’s ability to work with or host exchange students.

How far back does the check for criminal convictions go? Will the report include all convictions?
The criminal history that is reported through the national criminal file search is usually a 7 to 10 year history, depending on the state.

How long does it take for Global Insights to make a decision based on the findings of the criminal background check?
Global Insights staff reviews all criminal background checks and will make the final determination regarding suitability of the individual(s) for the purpose of being an Area Representative or host family within 5 business days.

How do I begin the background check process?
In order to use the online portal to authorize the background check, you will need a password to input below. If you currently do not have a password, contact your local Area Representative or call our national office at 1-888-246-7863. Once you log in, you will begin the steps to authorize Intellicorp to conduct your background check. The online authorization and data form will include the following:

• Disclosure language and your personal electronic signature authorizing Intellicorp to conduct your background check and share the results with Global Insights.
• A request for your full name, birth date, social security number, mailing address, and email address. All of these fields are required to conduct the actual search.

What happens if I cannot complete, or do not wish to complete, the online background check authorization?
If you are having technical problems submitting the authorization, you can call our office at 1-888-246-7863 for assistance. If you wish to submit a paper-based authorization, you can find this form on our website under “Becoming a Host Family” or “Becoming an Area Representative.” If you choose to complete the paper version of the form, you can either mail or fax it directly to our office or provide it to your Area Representative. Our address:

Global Insights
1094 Gordon Combs Road NW
Marietta, GA 30064
770-514-0872 Fax

Please note that your submission of a paper-based form provides Global Insights with access to your social security number, as well as the agency conducting the background check. All social security number data is placed in a secure location in our office and destroyed after 3 years. Individuals who do not wish to submit to a criminal background check may not participate in the program per federal guidelines.

Please follow the link below to our request form.

https://globalinsights.volunteerportal.net/welcome.aspx

If you have any questions or concerns, please call our national office at 1-888-246-7863 to speak to Sherry Buchla.