8000 Background Checks for State and Federal Audit Staff
Background Checks September 2019
DFPS may undergo audits conducted by entities outside of DFPS. The access to DFPS resources for persons from outside agencies is coordinated through DFPS Internal Audit.
This policy applies only to state and federal audit staff. Auditors employed by a private firm follow section 3000 Background Checks for Non-DFPS Staff.
8100 DFPS Background Checks and Employment with Auditor agency
Background Checks September 2019
If DFPS Background Checks denies access to a state or federal auditor, that denial only prohibits direct access to DFPS resources.
The decision to hire or terminate a state or federal auditor is made at the discretion of the agency that employees the auditor.
8200 Types of Background Checks
8210 DFPS History Check
Background Checks September 2019
DFPS Background Checks staff complete a DFPS history check on state and federal audit staff who have a business need for direct access to DFPS information technology resources or facilities.
A DFPS history check is not required for state and federal audit staff who do not have a business need for direct access to DFPS resources, and are only allowed to view the DFPS Data Warehouse or information that is publicly available.
8220 DPS Criminal Check
Background Checks September 2019
State and federal audit staff receive criminal background checks from the agency they are employed with. As a result, this population is not required to have a criminal background check processed by DFPS.
8300 Requesting a Background Check
Background Checks September 2019
State and federal auditors who require direct access to DFPS resources for business purposes must consent to a DFPS History background check by completing and signing the Form F-506-4047 Non-DFPS Staff Computer Security Agreement.
The state or federal auditor’s DFPS sponsor completes the following:
• Submits the completed forms to DFPS Program Support, along with any supporting documentation, to initiate the background check.
• Ensures that the background check request is submitted and completed before access to DFPS resources is allowed.
• Ensures that the state or federal auditor’s employer has verified the accuracy of the vital information obtained on each person seeking access, including documentation used for background check renewals.
• Retains the original signed forms requesting a background check, and the responses provided by Background Checks.
• Initiates a renewal background check, if required, by submitting Form F-506-4047 Non-DFPS Staff Computer Security Agreement and any supporting documentation to Program Support
• Notifies Background Checks if a state or federal auditor discloses any abuse or neglect history by sending an email to the DFPS External Access BGC mailbox. The email must include the person’s name, Social Security number, and the nature of the situation.
• Submits required documentation to DFPS Program Support when the state or federal auditor no longer needs access to DFPS resources.
Once all required forms are submitted, the assigned DFPS Program Support specialist initiates the background check request through the Automated Background Check System (ABCS).
Background Checks staff notifies the DFPS sponsor regarding the results of the background check.
State or federal auditors must not be allowed access to DFPS resources until the initial background check has been cleared by Background Checks staff.
8310 Renewals of Background Checks
Background Checks September 2019
A person who has a background check under this policy must have a new background check every year.
To initiate the renewal background check request, the DFPS sponsor submits Form F-506-4047 Non-DFPS Staff Computer Security Agreement, along with any supporting documentation to Program Support. The request must be submitted before the expiration date of the current background check.
If the DFPS sponsor requests the renewal background check before the background check expiration date the state or federal auditor is allowed to continue accessing DFPS resources while Background Checks is processing the results.
Background Checks staff notifies the DFPS sponsor about the results of the renewal background check. If the results of the renewal check reveal abuse or neglect history that would bar the state or federal auditor from accessing DFPS resources, the DFPS sponsor ensures that the person’s access is removed.
8400 Making a Determination
Background Checks September 2019
Background Checks staff make a determination to approve or deny a state or federal auditor’s direct access to DFPS resources and inform the DFPS sponsor of the final decision.
The initial determination is based on Appendix 1: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation History Bars for DFPS Employees, Prospective Employees, Volunteers, and Interns, Non-DFPS Staff, and CASA Employees, Volunteers, and Board Members.
8410 Cleared Background Checks
Background Checks September 2019
If a state or federal auditor has no history of abuse, neglect, or exploitation that is identified as requiring further action on Appendix 1: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation History Bars for DFPS Employees, Prospective Employees, Volunteers, and Interns, Non-DFPS Staff, and CASA Employees, Volunteers, and Board Members, Background Checks staff notify the DFPS sponsor and Application Security Administrators (ASA) staff that the background check has been cleared for the person.
8420 Absolute Bars
Background Checks September 2019
If a state or federal auditor has a history of abuse, neglect, or exploitation that is identified as an Absolute Bar on Appendix 1: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation History Bars for DFPS Employees, Prospective Employees, Volunteers, and Interns, Non-DFPS Staff, and CASA Employees, Volunteers, and Board Members, Background Checks staff notify the DFPS sponsor that the background check results bar the person from having access to DFPS resources.
8430 Risk Assessment
Background Checks September 2019
If the person has any DFPS history identified as Review on the Appendix 1: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation History Bars for DFPS Employees, Prospective Employees, Volunteers, and Interns, Non-DFPS Staff, and CASA Employees, Volunteers, and Board Members, Background Checks staff does a risk assessment before making a decision to clear or bar the person.
Based on the risk assessment, Background Checks staff notify the DFPS sponsor either that the person is cleared and may have access to DFPS resources, or the person is not cleared and access is denied. Background Checks staff does not include the specific abuse, neglect, or exploitation history in the notice approving or denying clearance.
The person may not access DFPS resources until both of the following occur:
• The risk assessment is complete.
• The Background Checks staff clears the person.