Background Screening Vendor Transition FAQ

Over the past few years, we've experienced multiple challenges, including:

• Systemic platform issues with no long-term solutions
• Billing problems, including account suspensions without notice
• Increased add-on fees and delays in resolving customer service requests
• Lack of communication on system updates and fee changes
• Termination of phone support
• Increased staff hours required to resolve issues

C4 offers the following advantages:

• Iowa-based customer service (Cedar Rapids, IA and Nashville, TN)
• 24/7 live support for candidates and county employees
• A more thorough screening process, including multi-jurisdictional crimes
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Nationwide MVR searches for both volunteers and employees

The pilot counties are averaging about $50 screening. 

The base price of a background screening will be $23.00 + $15.30 for an Iowa Motor Vehicle Records search = $38.30. 

• This includes searching 1 county and 1 name.  
• If a candidate has lived in more than one county in the past seven years, there is an additional charge of $8/county.
• If a candidate has used another name in the past seven years, there is an additional charge of $8/name in each county they have lived in.  
• Any court fees that are incurred will be passed along at the actual rate.  There are no court fees for the State of Iowa.  
• Motor Vehicle Records from non-Iowa states will be charged at the actual state rate + $5.00.

Pilot counties are averaging a charge of $50/person for screening.

• Social Security Number Verification
• County Seat felony & misdemeanor
  • 7-year history
  • 1 “live” county included
  • Human process (not automated “crawling” through databases)
  • Additional counties $8 each
  • No Iowa court costs (pass-through of court costs in other states)
• National Criminal Database
  • Searches a national database for additional criminal charges
• 50-State Sex Offender
  • Includes all 50 states’ sex offender registries
  • National sex offender registry search
• Nationwide Federal Criminal Search
  • Includes all multi-jurisdictional crimes including internet-based crimes, child pornography, drug trafficking, border crossing crimes
• Motor Vehicle Records (MVR)
  • Confirms valid driver’s license
  • Screens for driving violations
  • Can do MVR search in all states for volunteers
  • $5 charge + state fee
• Education Verification Check (add-on option generally only used for certain employee positions)
  • $10/institution + applicable institution/ clearing house fees 

A pilot will begin in January with 5-8 counties to explore if C4 Operations is a good fit for ISU Extension and Outreach in the counties.  If we are satisfied with the results of the pilots by the end of February, we will begin the process of rolling out the transition statewide.  The goal is to have the transition complete by May 1 and to terminate the contact with First Advantage by May 31.

If, at the end of February, we do not yet feel ready to transition to C4 Operations, we will recruit an additional 5 counties for the pilot and will move to an alternate schedule.  In the alternate schedule, we will roll out to counties in September with a goal to have all counties transitioned by October 15 and the contract with First Advantage terminated by October 31. 

If you meet the following criteria, and would like to be part of the pilot, please contact Julie Baumler.

• Anticipate screening 5+ volunteers/employees in January and February 2025
• Confidence in learning new computer applications
• Understand current background screening processes
• Have a county credit card or ACH capability in your finance policy
• Willing to provide constructive feedback
   

All counties should ensure that they have downloaded all background screening reports, order documents (for those ordered via Profile Advantage), and documentation of screening dates prior to the final transition to C4 Operations.  Guidance will be provided to counties in early 2025.

First Advantage will follow proper protocols for data in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

C4 is willing to provide Zoom training at the initial setup and also at additional times throughout the year.  They also have video training available on demand.  Additionally, the C4 platform is intuitive and shouldn't be too difficult to navigate.

Each county will designate staff members to run screens for their county, similar to our current system.  We always recommend counties have at least 2 people with credentials for background screening so there is not a pause in screening if someone is out of the office or leaves the organization.

Each county will be either have a credit card or ACH on file with C4 Operations.  Charges will be processed twice a month.  Detailed invoices will be available to reconcile with credit card or ACH charges.

Counties may choose their own background screening vendor.   The benefit of all 100 county extension districts using the same background screening vendor is that we are able to receive a volume discount.  Preferred pricing that is currently available with First Advantage will go away once the contract with IECA is severed.