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Background Check Interim Process


Contact the Background Check Program
907-334-4475

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS AND PAYMENT THROUGH NABCS - WHITELISTING

Effective October 27, 2021, all existing providers MUST submit the NABCS Provider Access Request Form (PDF) to the email listed below to gain access to the NABCS environment. This process is called "whitelisting" which puts your facilities internet connection on a safe list. It is the division's intent to have all existing providers utilizing NABCS for application submittals and payments by December 15, 2021. Please do not wait until the deadline to submit the security form as processing times will be impacted. Technical questions related to the security form and submission? Please email/contact bcp.access.requests@alaska.gov.

BCP Whitelisting Frequently Asked Questions (updated 11/9/21)


Use of Valid Background Check Clearances by Multiple Employers

Effective September 14, 2021, providers who have applicants with pending background checks with DHSS BCU may allow individuals to start work prior to the Background Check Program completing their check IF the applicant has documented proof of having a current Alaska DHSS background check (provisional or complete) for another DHSS provider. The applicant must provide their new employer a copy of the final background check eligibility letter for the other provider, and providers are required to maintain a copy of that eligibly document in the employee's file. Providers who hire employees in this manner MUST provide supervised access to those employees, i.e., to ensure the protection of recipients of services, the provider must maintain a prudent level of awareness of the whereabouts of an individual for whom supervised access is required. Employees working in this way may NOT be the only individual working in a facility or a setting, as another employee must be present to provide the supervised access. The provider's oversight agency will monitor providers to ensure they are in compliance with these requirements, and providers must submit proof of compliance to those agencies upon request. Questions? Please contact your DHSS oversight division.
 

BACKGROUND CHECK INTERIM PROCESS REMAINS IN EFFECT FOLLOWING CYBERATTACK

 
On August 4, 2021, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) issued a press release announcing the completion of the first step of a three-step process used to respond to the attack of its information technology infrastructure. DHSS has now begun the containment, eradication and recovery phase. At this time, NABCS remains offline and not available for use. Please continue to submit background check applications using the process detailed below. Depending on circumstances, application processing may take up to 15 business days.
 

BACKGROUND CHECK PROGRAM RESUMES PRE-COVID-19 FINGERPRINT REQUIREMENT EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2021

New Applications

All new background check applications submitted on/after August 1, 2021 must include a fingerprint card. Incomplete applications will be pended until all required information, including fingerprint card, is received.
 
Currently, because NABCS is unavailable, applications are submitted via mail, fax, and in person. To expedite the processing of your application, please submit it along with all required materials, including fingerprint card, via mail or in person to DHCS Background Check Unit, 4601 Business Park Blvd., Bldg. K, Anchorage AK 99503. The processing of applications is significantly delayed when the application and required documents are submitted separately. New application submission instructions will be released when NABCS access is restored.
 
The following Background Check Program documents have been updated to reflect this change:
 

Existing Provisional Clearances

Information for individuals who currently have a provisional clearance, but have not submitted a fingerprint card, will be released soon.
 

History

To reduce in-person contact and reduce administrative burdens as patient loads increased due to COVID-19, the Department of Health and Social Services suspended 7 AAC 10.910(a) and 7 AAC 10.910(b)(3), permitting the Background Check Program to issue provisional clearances without fingerprinting. With the expiration of the state disaster declaration, these regulatory suspensions also expire.
 

BACKGROUND CHECK INTERIM PROCESS EFFECTIVE MAY 24, 2021

Please read ALL of the following information, including the INTERIM BACKGROUND CHECK APPLICATION PROCESS attachment, BEFORE calling the Background Check Program. If you have questions after reading the information we have provided, staff will be happy to answer your questions. We ask for your patience, as the Background Check Program is currently experiencing a high volume of calls. Staff are making every effort to ensure continuity of services and to provide alternate means of conducting business while critical platforms are unavailable.
 
Following the recent cyberattack on the DHSS website, NABCS was taken offline to prevent further disruption. The Background Check Program will temporarily rely solely upon a manual process and review of APSIN, CourtView, Prober, OIG, JOMIS, Alaska Professional Licenses, and the National Sex Offender Registry to determine whether a provisional background clearance can be issued.
 
Until further notification:
 
  • all new applications must be submitted using an interim BCP hard copy application.
  • if you submitted an application on or prior to May 17th, and
    • have NOT received an email confirmation of a provisional clearance, you must submit a new hard copy application (PDF) and proof of payment.
    • HAVE here received email confirmation of a provisional clearance, no additional action is necessary.
Read the Interim Background Check Application Process for instructions on completing the new interim hard copy application.