POIETO INC requires criminal background checks for all personnel who have direct or potential contact with program participants. This policy establishes who must be screened, what screening is required, the process used, and how results are evaluated.
Background checks are required before the first day of participant contact for:
Board members and administrative staff who do not have direct participant contact are screened at the organization's discretion.
POIETO INC uses California DOJ LiveScan fingerprinting as its primary background check method. LiveScan submits fingerprints electronically to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and, where required, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Results are returned to the requesting agency.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Method | Electronic fingerprint submission via LiveScan station |
| Database checked | California DOJ (CA criminal records) + FBI (national criminal records) |
| Form used | BCII 8016 (standard applicant) or site-specific form required by partner |
| Who initiates | POIETO INC (Ginny Song, COO, or Christine Meinders) |
| Where done | Authorized LiveScan location — find at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations |
| Cost | Paid by POIETO INC for all required personnel |
| Processing time | Typically 3—5 business days; can vary |
| Results go to | POIETO INC (requesting agency) — not given to applicant directly |
Contract requirement: Per the applicable contract, proof of clearance for all teaching artists and staff with direct youth contact must be submitted to the LA County Arts and Culture Program Manager before services commence. POIETO provides clearance confirmation — not the full report — to the County.
Personnel may not have unsupervised participant contact before LiveScan results are received. If operational need requires a person to begin work before results arrive, they may do so only if:
POIETO evaluates background check results on a case-by-case basis, considering the nature of the conviction, how long ago it occurred, evidence of rehabilitation, and the nature of the role. POIETO complies with California's Fair Chance Act (AB 1008) for employees.
Automatic disqualifiers — the following result in automatic non-clearance regardless of other factors:
Background check results are confidential. They are stored in a secure personnel file accessible only to Christine Meinders and Ginny Song (COO). Results are not shared with other staff, participants, or third parties except as required by law or contract.
Background checks are renewed every three (3) years for personnel with ongoing participant contact, or sooner if POIETO has reason to believe a new check is warranted.