Background Investigations Unit – New

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Code of Virginia Requirements

Under §37.2-416 of the Code of Virginia, every DBHDS-licensed provider shall require any applicant who accepts employment in a direct consumer care position (or supervises a direct consumer care position) to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal background check.  Private providers who have received preliminary approval by the Office of Licensing of their licensing application policies, procedures and forms, may then register with the Background Investigations Unit as referenced below. 

Under §37.2-408.1  every DBHDS-licensed or Children’s Residential facility is required to conduct fingerprint-based criminal history for all employees, students, interns, volunteers, and contractors. The results of these background checks must be received prior to permitting an applicant to work.

All DBHDS licensed providers (Adult and Children) are required to initiate checks of child abuse and neglect for applicants through the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Central Registry. Obtain the required Central Registry form from the VDSS web site or email crs_operations@dss.virginia.gov.

Procedures for Conducting Background Investigations

How to Manage Background Check Contacts on the CONNECT Provider Portal

Implementation of the Fieldprint© Process Presentation [PDF]

Providers must be registered with the DBHDS Background Investigations Unit prior to requesting a Name and Sex Offender Search.
Please note: Name and Sex Offender searches are not done in conjunction with Fingerprint Criminal Background Checks.
These searches are only requested on Contractors, Interns, Students and/or Volunteers if required by the provider’s policies and procedures.
Include the following in your request for a Name and Sex Offender Search:

  1. Organization check or money order in the amount of $25.00
  2. Make the check or money order out to “Treasurer of Virginia”
  3. Read the BIUSP-167 Procedures
  4. Form BIUSP-167 – completed by the individual, provider and notary public

For any questions or issues concerning the Name and Sex Offender searches, please e-mail Belinda Turner.

Mailing Address: 

Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
P.O. Box 1797
Richmond, VA 23218

Malinda Roberts, Supervisor
1220 Bank Street | Richmond, VA 23219
Work – 804-786-6384
Cell – 804-840-9837
malinda.roberts@dbhds.virginia.gov

Belinda Turner, BIU Assistant
1220 Bank Street | Richmond, VA 23219
Work – 804-887-7393
belinda.turner@dbhds.virginia.gov

  • Form BIUSP-167 – Criminal History Record Name & Sex Offender Search Request 
  • Attachment 2 – “Barrier Crimes List”
  • Attachment 3– Disclosure Statement for Licensed Private Provider Employees 
  • Attachment 4 – Authority for Release of Information
  • Attachment 6 – Applicant’s Rights
  • Attachment 9– Procedures for Challenging Virginia State Police Investigative Results
  • Attachment 10a – Applicant’s rights and procedures for Challenging FBI Results
  • Attachment 10b – Sample Letter: “Challenging FBI Checks”  

Click below for help using the CONNECT Provider Portal or to report an issue.

CONNECT Help Instructions

If you are having trouble accessing or using the CONNECT Provider Portal, please click the Report an Issue button below.

Please allow up to two business days for the Help Desk staff to respond to your issue. 

Your device sometimes may not allow the above button to function as intended. In that case, please send an email directly to licensingconnectinquiry@dbhds.virginia.gov with the information below:

• Name

• Provider ID

• Service License (If Applicable)

• Provider Name (Optional)

• Best Contact Phone Number

• Describe the issue that is occurring

You must provide the Provider ID and Service License in order to not delay the resolution of your issue.

Thank you for contacting the DBHDS Office of Licensing’s CONNECT Help Desk.