True Background Screening
John Schwietz, The McDowell Agency, Inc
Phone: 651.644.3880 | Email: Jms@mcdowellagency.com
November 2010
Owl McDowell is the wisest bird in town, he’ll answer your questions politely and never with a frown. Like Dear Abby, Owl knows his stuff. He loves taking your questions and can never get enough. So you might be wondering: how’s this owl know so much? 25 years in background screening and investigations is where he got his touch. Owl may sleep all day, but keeps watch when there’s no light, ask Owl how background checks can keep your business safe day and night.
Dear Owl McDowell,
Why are county criminal searches necessary when statewide databases are available? Aren’t I getting everything I need out of a background check via the Minnesota BCA?
- Henrietta (HomeCare Company Owner)
Hopeful Henrietta,
Database searches can be useful, but only when used in conjunction with a record search done by a licensed researcher physically reviewing records at each county courthouse. Selling database searches as a standalone service is dangerously inadequate; they are guaranteed to be incomplete and are often outdated. Statewide databases are only as complete and accurate as the information reported from local police departments, courts, and federal agencies, and often have more lenient requirements as to what level of crimes are required to be disclosed. The McDowell Agency, Inc. provides True Background Screening, which combines the database with a county criminal record search to create the most comprehensive criminal background check available. Ask the Minnesota HomeCare Association how you can contact someone at The McDowell Agency to properly assess your situation.
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August 2010
As the Minnesota HomeCare Association’s go-to for pre-employment background checks, The McDowell Agency, Inc., a licensed private investigation firm specializing in pre-employment background checks, is excited to announce its partnership with MHCA.
Marking another great opportunity for MHCA members, now you can take advantage of MHCA group purchasing power for comprehensive criminal background checks by The McDowell Agency, Inc. With affordable comprehensive service and results returned to you in less than two business days on average, the best way to differentiate your home care business is now more available than ever. For home care providers who need to quickly fill jobs with safe employees, this opportunity could not have come too soon.
Accessible Home Health Care of Western Minneapolis Director of Marketing Jon DeWitte recently chose The McDowell Agency, Inc.
“We need to step beyond the BCA and search nationwide county records too. Going more in-depth into our caregiver’s character is good for the industry and a good differentiator for my business.”
Next year Dewitte anticipates screening 100 new hires with The McDowell Agency, Inc. He also acknowledged that the value of peace-of-mind in hiring played a role this decision as he continued: “With The McDowell Agency, I can be rest assured I’m choosing the highest quality caregivers available.”
DeWitte is a member of The Minnesota HomeCare Association and teamed up with The McDowell Agency, inc. prior to The McDowell Agency, Inc.’s partnership with MHCA. Because of the MHCA’s new group purchasing power, DeWitte’s company will now save $1,400 with The McDowell Agency, Inc.
Why is this a Concern?
Right now, Minnesota home care companies are hiring employees based on a “criminal background check” that allows predators to gain access to our most valuable assets without even knowing it. Yes, submitting a background check to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is required by Department of Human Services (DHS). However, employers need to know that by deferring the criminal background screening process to the BCA only, they are missing out on the complete picture of their applicant’s criminal history. This is because the BCA’s criminal record database is only as complete and accurate as the information reported from local police departments and the courts. Further, the BCA will not contain information on crimes committed out of the state. The McDowell Agency, Inc. has found the BCA database is dangerously inadequate when relied on solely, and effective only when used in conjunction with record searches done at the county level and nationwide database searches. Robert McDowell, founder and Lead Private Investigator at The McDowell Agency, Inc., commented on this phenomenon, “What most people don’t know is there is no such thing as one all-encompassing source of criminal records. You really have to search multiple sources of information to get the truest background screening results.”
How Serious is the Problem?
When The McDowell Agency, Inc. conducted a study for the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, prior to getting MASA’s endorsement as the preferred provider of background studies for Minnesota Schools the results were frightening. In reviewing the records of the schools we serve, we found that more than 35 percent of the criminal records we uncovered would have been missed had the schools only consulted the BCA database. The offenses were not minor. Some examples include:
- Criminal Sexual Misconduct
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated Robbery – Armed with a dangerous weapon
- Domestic Assault
- Terroristic Threats
In addition, just one month before then, The McDowell Agency, Inc.’s national network of researchers uncovered the record a convicted rapist who passed a BCA check when applying to work in a Minnesota school we serve. Shortly after, The McDowell Agency, Inc. also uncovered a murder conviction for a client whose employees work with disabled adults. These records were also found using a combination nationwide and county level searches. Had we not found these records, the applicants would have been hired since no records were reported from the BCA on these cases.
Home care providers need to know the hard facts on their applicants in order to protect their business. Whether your company screens one or 100 employees per year, we want you to be in control of who you hire and keep your clients and business safe. For a free assessment of your current background check program, contact The McDowell Agency, Inc. at (651) 644-3880 and ask for John Schwietz. John is The McDowell Agency, Inc.’s expert in home health care screening and has been working closely with MHCA and other home care specialists to be knowledgeable in the industry and resourceful to business owners.
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