1.A.2.f. Background checks

Rule

Policy and procedures that ensure that appropriate background checks (due diligence practices) are conducted for all staff who will have direct and regular interaction with residents.

Levels

I	II	III	IV
N/A	R	R	✔

This rule is only required for Level IV recovery residences. It is recommended for Level IIs and IIIs. It is not applicable to Level Is.

Guidance

Recovery residences that serve the most vulnerable populations (level IVs) must have staffing policies and procedures in place that reflect their needs. While this rule is only required for level IVs, it is recommended that level IIs and IIIs have due diligence policies and procedures regarding direct support staff.

The purpose of this standard is NOT to further raise a barrier to leadership or employment. People in recovery often have a criminal history as a result of their substance use disorder. Lived experience is an asset for direct support staff. Knowing a staff person’s criminal history informs the staffing and workforce development plan. Some staff may need additional support and structure as part of appropriate supervision. For example, a staff person who was convicted for theft a year ago may need great supervision and oversight if he/she/they are responsible for collecting rent.

NARR does not dictate what background check policies should be in place. The standard only requires that a level IV recovery residence has background check policies and procedures regarding direct support staff. This often includes employees, contractors and/or volunteers. It may identify convictions of concern and what actions will be taken if a particular criminal history is identified, which may include but not limited to: not hiring, limit their role and responsibilities or hiring with added supervision or support.

Note, level IVs are most likely licensed by the State, and State law(s) may require background checks or restrictions, which is also covered under NARR Standard 3.0 – 1.A.2.d. Compliance.

Although this rule is specific to direct support staff in level IV recovery residences, some providers ask about criminal history as a part of their new resident application. This information may or may not play a role in the screening process, but it can information future workforce development (NARR Standards 1.D.10.c.; 1.D.13.a.; 3.G.24.b.; and 3.G.25.a.) and data driven performance (NARR standard 1.A.4.a.).

Recovery residences serving the re-entry population may need to adapt their support to best serve this population. Given the percentage of persons with substance use issues that have a criminal background, most recovery residences accept persons with a history of criminal justice involvement.

Evaluation

Is this a Level IV recovery residence?
Is there a written policy and procedure that establishes a standardized process for background checks for staff who have direct and regular interaction with residents?

Evidence

Policy and procedure

References

NARR Standard 3.0
NARR Standard 3.0 Compendium
Learn more about background checks
How does this apply to my accreditation application?

Course Syllabus

Not Enrolled

Measure Up: A Guide to the NARR Standard and Code of Ethics

	1. 1. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL
	2. 1.A. Operate with Integrity
	2.1. 1.A.1. Use mission and vision as guides for decision making
	2.1.1. 1.A.1.a. Mission
	2.1.2. 1.A.1.b. Vision
	2.2. 1.A.2. Adhere to legal and ethical codes and use best business practices
	2.2.1. 1.A.2.a. Business entity
	2.2.2. 1.A.2.b. Insurance
	2.2.3. 1.A.2.c. Property permission
	2.2.4. 1.A.2.d. Legal compliance
	2.2.5. 1.A.2.e. Ethical marketing
	2.2.6. 1.A.2.f. Background checks
	2.2.7. 1.A.2.g. Paying residents
	2.2.8. 1.A.2.h. Financial boundaries
	2.2.9. 1.A.2.i. Code of Ethics
	2.3. 1.A.3. Financial accounting
	2.3.1. 1.A.3.a. Fee transparency
	2.3.2. 1.A.3.b. Accounting system
	2.3.3. 1.A.3.c. Refund policies
	2.3.4. 1.A.3.d. 3rd party payments
	2.4. 1.A.4. Data collection
	2.4.1. 1.A.4.a. Resident information
	3. 1.B. Uphold Residents’ Rights
	3.1. 1.B.5. Rights and Requirements
	3.1.1. 1.B.5.a. Applicant orientation
	3.2. 1.B.6. Resident information
	3.2.1. 1.B.6.a. Secured records
	3.2.2. 1.B.6.b. Confidentiality
	3.2.3. 1.B.6.c. Social media policy
	4. 1.C. Culture of Empowerment
	4.1. 1.C.7. Peer governance
	4.1.1. 1.C.7.a. Resident driven
	4.1.2. 1.C.7.b. Grievance policy
	4.1.3. 1.C.7.c. Community posts
	4.1.4. 1.C.7.d. Length of stay
	4.1.5. 1.C.7.e. Resident voice
	4.2. 1.C.8. Resident involvement
	4.2.1. 1.C.8.a. Reciprocal responsibility
	4.2.2. 1.C.8.b. Leadership roles
	4.2.3. 1.C.8.c. Recovery process
	5. 1.D. Develop Staff Abilities
	5.1. 1.D.9. Role modeling
	5.1.1. 1.D.9.a. Self-care
	5.1.2. 1.D.9.b. Boundaries
	5.1.3. 1.D.9.c. Staff support
	5.1.4. 1.D.9.d. Positive regard
	5.2. 1.D.10. Staff qualifications
	5.2.1. 1.D.10.a. Social model skills
	5.2.2. 1.D.10.b. Credentials
	5.2.3. 1.D.10.c. Staff development
	5.3. 1.D.11. Culturally responsive
	5.3.1. 1.D.11.a. Priority population
	5.3.2. 1.D.11.b. Cultural training
	5.4. 1.D.12. Job descriptions
	5.4.1. 1.D.12.a. Roles and qualifications
	5.4.2. 1.D.12.b. Resource linkage
	5.4.3. 1.D.12.c. KSA
	5.5. 1.D.13. Staff supervision
	5.5.1. 1.D.13.a. Performance development
	5.5.2. 1.D.13.b. Acknowledgements
	5.5.3. 1.D.13.c. Work environment
	6. 2. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
	7. 2.E. Home-like Environment
	7.1. 2.E.14. Individual needs
	7.1.1. 2.E.14.a. Clean and maintained
	7.1.2. 2.E.14.b. Home-like furnishings
	7.1.3. 2.E.14.c. Entrances and exits
	7.1.4. 2.E.14.d. 50+ sq. ft. per bed
	7.1.5. 2.E.14.e. Sink-toilet-shower
	7.1.6. 2.E.14.f. Personal storage
	7.1.7. 2.E.14.g. Food Storage
	7.1.8. 2.E.14.h. Laundry
	7.1.9. 2.E.14.i. Appliances
	7.2. 2.E.15. Community building
	7.2.1. 2.E.15.a. Meeting space
	7.2.2. 2.E.15.b. Group space
	7.2.3. 2.E.15.c. Dining area
	7.2.4. 2.E.15.d. Recreational area
	8. 2.F. Safe Healthy Environment
	8.1. 2.F.16. Sober living
	8.1.1. 2.F.16.a. Prohibited substances
	8.1.2. 2.F.16.b. Prohibited items
	8.1.3. 2.F.16.c. Drug screening
	8.1.4. 2.F.16.d. Medication storage
	8.1.5. 2.F.16.e. Peer accountability
	8.2. 2.F.17. Home safety
	8.2.1. 2.F.17.a. Functional and hazard free
	8.2.2. 2.F.17.b. Health & safety codes
	8.2.3. 2.F.17.c. Inspections & drills
	8.3. 2.F.18. Promote health
	8.3.1. 2.F.18.a. Smoking
	8.3.2. 2.F.18.b. Universal precautions
	8.4. 2.F.19. Emergency plan
	8.4.1. 2.F.19.a. Procedures & postings
	8.4.2. 2.F.19.b. Emergency contacts
	8.4.3. 2.F.19.c. Emergency orientation
	8.4.4. 2.F.19.d. Overdose readiness
	9. 3. RECOVERY SUPPORT
	10. 3.G. Facilitate Recovery
	10.1. 3.G.20. Promote purpose
	10.1.1. 3.G.20.a. Meaningful activities
	10.2. 3.G.21. Recovery planning
	10.2.1. 3.G.21.a. Person-centered plan
	10.2.2. 3.G.21.b. Recovery capital
	10.2.3. 3.G.21.c. Peer roles
	10.3. 3.G.22. Community supports
	10.3.1. 3.G.22.a. Resource directory
	10.3.2. 3.G.22.b. Resource linkage
	10.4. 3.G.23. Mutual support
	10.4.1. 3.G.23.a. Weekly schedule
	10.4.2. 3.G.23.b. Mutual aid
	10.5. 3.G.24. Recovery support services
	10.5.1. 3.G.24.a. RSS
	10.5.2. 3.G.24.b. RSS Staff
	10.6. 3.G.25. Clinical services
	10.6.1. 3.G.25.a. Clinical services
	11. 3.H. Model Prosocial Behaviors
	11.1. 3.H.26. Respectful environment
	11.1.1. 3.H.26.a. Model recovery
	11.1.2. 3.H.26.b. Trauma informed
	11.1.3. 3.H.26.c. Resident input
	12. 3.I. Sense of Community
	12.1. 3.I.27. Family-like
	12.1.1. 3.I.27.a. Food preparation
	12.1.2. 3.I.27.b. Housing choice
	12.1.3. 3.I.27.c. Chores
	12.1.4. 3.I.27.d. Household expenses
	12.1.5. 3.I.27.e. Household meetings
	12.1.6. 3.I.27.f. Common areas
	12.2. 3.I.28. Internal community
	12.2.1. 3.I.28.a. Informal activities
	12.2.2. 3.I.28.b. Formal activities
	12.2.3. 3.I.28.c. Social activities
	12.2.4. 3.I.28.d. Milestone rituals
	12.3. 3.I.29. External community
	12.3.1. 3.I.29.a. Recovery linkage
	12.3.2. 3.I.29.b. Recovery mentor
	12.3.3. 3.I.29.c. Mutual aid meetings
	12.3.4. 3.I.29.d. Resource linkage
	12.3.5. 3.I.29.e. Multi-membership
	12.3.6. 3.I.29.f. Social bonds
	13. 4. GOOD NEIGHBOR
	14. 4.J. Be a Good Neighbor
	14.1. 4.J.30. Responsive neighbor
	14.1.1. 4.J.30.a. Contact information
	14.1.2. 4.J.30.b. Complaint response
	14.1.3. 4.J.30.c. Neighbor interaction
	14.2. 4.J.31. Courtesy rules
	14.2.1. 4.J.31.a. Preemptive policies
	14.2.2. 4.J.31.b. Parking