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Volunteer FAQ

RAYTOWN C-2 SCHOOL DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FAQ

Preguntas frecuentes sobre voluntariado

RAYTOWN C-2 SCHOOL DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FAQ

Effective August 28, 2019, RSMo. § 168.133 (2019) requires school districts to ensure that a criminal background check is conducted for all volunteers who may be periodically left alone with students. Those volunteers include, but are not limited to, individuals who regularly assist in the office or library, mentor or tutor students, coach or supervise a school-sponsored activity before or after school, or chaperone students on an overnight trip. The Statute specifically requires the following for screened volunteers: “In order to facilitate the criminal history background check, the applicant shall submit a set of fingerprints collected pursuant to standards determined by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The fingerprints shall be used by the State Highway Patrol to search the criminal history repository and shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for searching the federal criminal history files.”

Q: How can I volunteer for the Raytown C-2 School District?A screened volunteer assists school staff  in a role that could create access to student records and/or may result in working with an individual or group of students without the direct supervision of a district employee.  

  • Volunteer roles with Raytown Quality Schools include, but are not limited to, a volunteer athletic coach, activities sponsor, field trip chaperone (includes overnight trips), RayFriends, Watch D.O.G.S. or office volunteer.
  • Individuals who wish to serve in this capacity must complete a criminal background check (with fingerprints) through the Missouri State Highway Patrol as well as a Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) check.
  • All fees for volunteer background checks are paid for by the district.
  • The approval process takes approximately two weeks to complete. 

Q: What do I need to do to become a Screened Volunteer?

  1. Complete the online District Volunteer Application
    1. English application link: here.
    2. Spanish application link: coming soon.
    3. Please make sure to complete this step first.
    4. As a part of the application, you will be asked to print, fill out, sign, and email the Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) form along with a copy of your driver’s license or government-issued ID to phyllis.smith@raytownschools.org. Please do this prior to submitting the application. You will be unable to upload documents or make changes of any kind to your application after submitting. Be sure to sign and date the FCSR form. 
  2. Register with the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) Fingerprint Portal
    1. Contact phyllis.smith@raytownschools.org for full instructions.
    2. Go to machs.mo.gov.
    3. Select “Click Here to Register with the Fingerprint Portal.”
    4. Select “Click Here to Register with MACHS.”
    5. Enter 8672 as the four-digit code.
    6. Select “Yes” this search is being conducted for a position as a volunteer.
    7. Completely fill out the required “Contact Information” and “Personal Information.”
    8. Review and submit your information.
      1. There are a few pages to go through for the verification of information.
      2. You will be asked to double-check, fix and/or agree on each page.
    9. The system will route you to IDEMIA, once there, select “Register for Digital Fingerprinting Services (Live Scan)” and enter your zip code to see local fingerprinting locations.
    10. Schedule your appointment at one of the available locations.
      1. To receive a coupon code (also called the NCAC Code) to cover fingerprinting fees, please contact the Community Education and Volunteer Services Office.
        1. Call 816-268-7041 or email phyllis.smith@raytownschools.org. to receive your code. The Community Education and Volunteers Services Office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and is closed from 2-3 p.m. daily.
      2. You will not enter the coupon (NCAC Code) when registering but will need to show the email provided to you at the fingerprinting location so that they can record this code.
        1. Once on site, the enrollment agent will ask for the coupon (NCAC Code) and apply as payment. The district will then pay for your fingerprints.
        2. Please forward the email receipt you will receive to the Community Education and Volunteers Services Office at phyllis.smith@raytownschools.org or bring the paper receipt to the Admin. building located at 6608 Raytown Road, Raytown MO 64133.
      3. At your fingerprint appointment, you will also be required to present one form of valid government-issued photo ID. The fingerprint technician will verify your ID and proceed to capture your photo and fingerprints electronically via a live scan device.
  1. Fingerprint background checks conducted through MACHS are usually completed and returned to the district within seven to ten business days from the date that the applicant is fingerprinted. The Volunteer Services staff will inform the school principal, or his/her designee, when a volunteer is ready to begin service at the school. The school will, in turn, notify the volunteer.
  1. There is no further action required of the volunteer after the fingerprinting appointment is completed.

Note: You are required to have a valid email address with an inbox that you check regularly to complete your application. Your email address will be used to send updates on the status of your application as well as other notices from the Volunteer Services staff.

After submitting, you will be unable to make changes of any kind.

Q: What is the difference between a volunteer and a visitor?

A visitor assists school staff with events and activities such as field days, class parties, PTA dances, book fair, mystery reader etc. Visitors must check in at the building office through Raptor Technologies each time they visit a school. A volunteer assists school staff in a role that could create access to student records and/or may result in an individual working with a group of students without direct supervision of a district employee. A volunteer must complete a background check as outlined above. 

Q: How often do I need to complete the Screened Volunteer Process?

Volunteer applications will be renewed every three (3) years.

Q: If I was fingerprinted or have a background check completed by another school district, do I need to repeat either or both processes for Raytown Quality Schools?

Yes. The district does not have a way to verify fingerprinting or background check results submitted to other organizations. Please follow the process closely to ensure you avoid out-of-pocket fees.

Q: I have children at two different schools in the district. Do I have to complete the Screened Volunteer process for each school?

No, as part of the online application, you are able to select multiple schools. You only need to complete the process one time every three (3) years.

Q: If I pay fingerprinting and the FCSR fees out-of-pocket, can I be reimbursed?

No. The district does not have a way to reimburse volunteers for out-of-pocket fees. Please follow the process closely to ensure you avoid out-of-pocket fees.

Q: What information is gathered and reviewed in the screening process?

Staff reviews the MACHS report and looks for convictions involving crimes against children and/or the community, such as assault, molestation, child abuse, reckless driving and DUIs (which would disqualify a volunteer from driving students on field trips or to sports competitions). Given a criminal record of a potential volunteer, the staff would share the report with the Chief Human Resources Officer who would make the final determination of the potential volunteer’s eligibility. If a potential volunteer's application is denied, then the volunteer’s name will not appear on the list of approved volunteers sent to school principals and counselors.  No other information is shared.

Q: How do I know my online application was successfully submitted?

You will receive an email confirmation that the application has been submitted. Be sure to check your spam/junk email folder if you have not received the verification of submission email within 10-15 minutes. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please contact phyllis.smith@raytownschools.org.

Q: How do I know if I have been approved as a Screened Volunteer?

You will receive an email confirmation indicating that you have been approved. If you do not receive the confirmation email in seven to ten business days after your application was submitted, please contact phyllis.smith@raytownschools.org.

Q: What if a potential volunteer’s criminal record shows a conviction in the distant past?

If the criminal activity is listed, the report is shared with the Chief Human Resources Officer who will review the report and make the final determination of the potential volunteer’s eligibility. If a potential volunteer's application is denied, then the volunteer’s name will not appear on the list of approved volunteers sent to school principals and counselors.  No other information is shared.

Q: Do I need to check-in with the office if I am approved as a screened volunteer?

YES! Everyone must check-in with the school office, be screened through the Raptor system and receive a visitor’s sticker each time she/he comes to school. Checking in to the office is an important part of the district’s safety plan and helps the district track volunteer hours.

Thank you for the generosity of your time and effort to ensure a safe learning environment for our students!