Appendix B: Background Check Statement

STUDENT INFORMATION STATEMENT REGARDING IMPACT OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND HISTORY, DRUG SCREEN RESULTS, AND/OR RECORD OF CHILD AND/OR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICE COMPLAINTS

Students in a professional social work program are expected to demonstrate the capacity to practice with integrity and within the ethical guidelines outlined within the NASW Code of Ethics. Increasingly, students and employees are required by field placement sites or future employers to undergo a criminal background check, child and/or adult protective services check* and initial baseline and/or random drug screen tests, prior to engaging in field work or employment. Felony convictions and some serious misdemeanors may negatively impact a student’s forward progress and/or completion of their academic program as well as future professional licensure and future employment in the social work field. Additionally, open and/or substantiated child and/or adult protective services complaints may impact a student’s ability to progress in the program and/or future licensure and employment.

Such information could impact the student in the following ways: 

1. The ability to secure and complete the required field placement experience, as most field placement agencies request criminal background investigations, fingerprint checks, child and/or adult protective services checks, and/or random drug screens. Additionally, in cases where there is a question of potential harm to clients, the School of Social Work has an ethical obligation that prevents the placement of students with open and/or substantiated adult and/or child protective complaints in field work with clients. In these cases, an academic review meeting with the MSW Committee may be required to discuss an appropriate continuance plan for the student.
2. The ability to be considered eligible for licensure as a social worker by the West Virginia Board of Social Work (WVBSW), which requires that licensure applicants must provide a sworn statement regarding the existence of a criminal history. This is per the West Virginia State Code, which states that certain misdemeanor or felony convictions could preclude the possibility of acquiring one’s licensure to practice social work. (See W. Va. Code § 30-30-1, et seq.)
3. The ability to be considered eligible for licensure as a social worker in other states in the U.S., per the corresponding state licensure laws.
4. The ability to secure employment within the social work practice field, as most employers within the social work field require that the applicant either possess or be eligible for a social work license, as well as require criminal background investigations, fingerprint checks, child and/or adult protective services checks, and/or random drug screens as a condition for employment.

*Note: Even if the SSW field placement site does not require one or all of these screenings/checks, a documented substantiated child or adult protective services complaint will disallow students from placement or employment at any West Virginia Department of Human Services (WVDoHS) Office as well as within ANY program, facility, agency, or organization that contracts with DoHs.

By my signature below, I verify/certify that I have read and understand the above information regarding the potential impact of certain backgrounds and/or behaviors/actions upon my ability to complete the social work degree program, my ability to participate in the social work field experience, and/or my ability to obtain employment. I agree to keep the field office and my advisor informed of any relevant past and/or current criminal charges and/or open or substantiated child/adult protective services complaints against me.

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Signature Printed Name

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Date signed