Sebelius and Snyder announce state support for mentor records checks
Funds will aid youth programs, ensure safe mentoring relationships

Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Coach Bill Snyder announced today that the State will pay for records checks for mentoring programs.

“Giving all Kansas children access to safe, quality mentoring relationships is a top priority of Kansas Mentors, and I’m happy we can make this important service available to the more than 200 mentoring programs across the state,” Sebelius said

Records checks are an important component of mentoring program’s volunteer screening process.  Potential volunteers must pass the record check before being allowed to mentor.

Previously, mentoring programs received records checks through Kansas Mentors, a statewide initiative led by Sebelius and Snyder, for $18 or half their actual cost.  However, the state will now cover the entire cost of the state and federal records checks. Local sheriffs’ offices may charge a small fee for the fingerprinting, which mentoring programs will be responsible for. 

“Volunteer screening is a key component of any quality mentoring program,” Snyder said.  “And I am thankful to all those who helped make this service available, which will allow more Kansas youngsters to have access to mentoring.”

This service has been made available through a combined effort of the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“We are pleased to be part of an effort that has state and federal agencies working together to help ensure the safety of Kansas youth,” KHP Colonel William Seck said.

The KHP will serve as the point of contact between the agencies and mentoring programs, while the KBI will be charged with obtaining the federal records.

“Records checks are an important tool for keeping children safe, and we are pleased to play a role in making this service available to more youth-focused organizations,” KBI Assistant Director Dave Sim said.

Mentoring programs can find out how to access the records checks at http://www.ksmentors.ks.gov/recordscheck.htm

# # #