All 4-H volunteers and staff are required to complete the Nebraska 4-H volunteer screening process outlined below. Volunteer screening is done in order to assure a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for all youth involved with the Nebraska 4-H programs and provide protection for the child, the volunteer, the educator, the 4-H Council, the Extension Board, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
Step One: Contact your Local Extension Office
All volunteers will need to contact their local Extension office before beginning the Nebraska 4-H volunteer screening procedures outlined below or 4-H Online enrollment process. Depending on the specific volunteer role, the process and procedures may vary. Your local Extension office will guide you in completing the appropriate procedures and process.
Direct Volunteer Process
Direct volunteers are those working directly with youth, such as club leaders and workshop facilitators. Direct volunteers will be asked to complete the following screening process and repeat screening as scheduled.
Please note that direct volunteers are responsible for covering a screening fee. Currently, the cost of the screening is $5.00. This fee must be paid at the time of screening and re-screening.
Initial Screening Process
Depending on your specific volunteer role and instructions from your county Extension office (see step one above), you may be prompted to complete the initial screening process while enrolling in 4-H Online or you may receive an email invitation from your local Extension Office. That prompt or email will include a link to complete an online Central Registry Check through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This link does not expire. It is recommended that you complete the application in one sitting to alleviate the complication of logging back into the system, reissuing an email invitation, or incurring double charges for screening.
Click the link or copy the link into your browser. The on-screen instructions will guide you through the background check process, including:
- Fill in your email address under Applicant's Email Address.
- Create and enter a four-digit PIN. Click Next. (Remember your PIN.)
- Enter your First, Middle, and Last Name.
- Enter your Date of Birth. Click checkmark in the bottom left corner of the box.
- Enter your Social Security Number.
- Enter your current address.
- Enter your phone number using dashes, no parenthesis.
- Add other names you may have (maiden, former married name, or nickname) or check the no other names box.
- Add names and birthdates of children or check the no children box.
- List all previous addresses and cities in which you have resided or check the no other addresses box.
- Check the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry (CAN Registry) and the Nebraska Adult Protective Services Registry (APS Registry) boxes.
- Click on online verification and answer the personal questions.
- Click submit.
You will receive an email from DHHS Central Registry when your Central Registration Check has been processed. This may take up to 24 hours. To access information regarding your Central Registry check, you must enter the Request Number and PIN you created. Click on Response Letter. Print for your own records.
As part of the screening process, complete the Nebraska 4-H volunteer orientation. This orientation is required for all volunteers serving in a direct role.
All volunteer screening and orientation must be completed and approved before serving in their volunteer role with 4-H youth. Please wait for final approval from your local Extension office before beginning any volunteer work with youth.
Re-Screening Process
Volunteer screening is repeated every five years based on geographic location regardless of when the original screening was completed. When it is time for re-screening, volunteers will be prompted with instructions for completing the online re-screening process. See Volunteer Screening Schedule.
Indirect Volunteer Process
Indirect volunteers are those supporting 4-H program without directly interacting with youth, such as event helpers, program support roles, and county fair superintendents. Indirect volunteer will be asked to complete the activity worker application.
Activity Worker Application
Complete the activity worker application for indirect volunteers. This form can be completed digitally or using a printed paper form provided by your local Extension office. The application requires volunteers to:
- Review and sign the University of Nebraska activity worker guidelines
- Review and sign the Nebraska 4-H volunteer code of conduct
The application must be completed before beginning volunteer service with Nebraska 4-H. The application is valid for one year.
For questions about this program or the information on this page, please contact: