Volunteer Screening Process

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 1: 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 $16.00. This fee must be paid at the time of screening and re-screening. 

Initial Screening Process = Volunteer 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. Either from the email invitation or re-direct to the screening website, the screening process will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

• Enter your email, date of birth, county and zip or postal code. Click the orange Continue button.
• Once the volunteer information is validated, the next step is to create a username, password and security questions. Click the orange Create Account button.
• Step 1 of 4 of the background check: enter full name, date of birth, SSN, gender and contact information.
• Step 2 of 4 of the background check: enter current address and how long you have resided at this address. Click the orange Continue button. 
• Step 3 of 4 of the background check: acknowledge and consent when prompted. Click the orange Continue button. 
• Step 4 of 4: view and confirm personal information. Click orange Continue to Payment button.
• Finalize the screening with entering a payment method. 
• When successfully completed, a congratulations screen will appear. 
• Volunteers can view their screening status and share background checks with other organizations by logging into their account at the Sterling Volunteers Website. 

Re-Screening Process

Volunteer screening is repeated every five years based on the volunteer's anniversary date. When it is time for re-screening, volunteers will be prompted with instructions for completing the online re-screening process. 

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.