Safe Staff

Banner Description:

This banner recognizes programs where every staff member working with children has successfully passed a background check. It signals a commitment to safety, professionalism, and peace of mind for families.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be awarded the Safe Staff Banner, a program must meet all of the following:

1. Background Checks for All Child-Interacting Staff

All current staff, including part-time and seasonal workers who interact with children, must have cleared a background screening appropriate for child care or educational environments.

• Acceptable screenings may include:

  • Level 2 background check (via FDLE or Fieldprint Florida)

  • FBI fingerprinting

  • State/national criminal background check with sex offender registry search

  • Equivalent checks for out-of-state providers

2. Verification Records On File

The provider maintains internal documentation confirming:

• The date and type of each background check

• The name of the screening agency or system used (e.g., DCF Clearinghouse, Level 2 FDLE, Sterling Volunteers, etc.)

• A policy for re-screening at appropriate intervals (typically every 2–5 years)

3. Applies to All Adults Regularly On-Site

This includes all adult staff, instructors, and volunteers who regularly interact with children. Occasional guest speakers or parent chaperones are not required to be screened if they are always supervised.

4. Ongoing Screening Policy

New hires must complete their background check before working with children. Programs must have a clear policy to ensure timely re-screening, especially if a staff member’s clearance expires.

Note: ParentApproved.org conducts quarterly audits to confirm that all new hires and volunteers have completed their background checks before engaging with children. Providers that do not meet the criteria during these audits may have their Safe Staff Banner suspended or revoked until compliance is restored.

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