DHS COVID-19 PROVIDER RESOURCES // ODP
ODP Announcement 20-034:
Provisional Hiring
Process for Staff
Serving Older Adults
Updated: March 31, 2020
Audience
All stakeholders
Purpose
In response to COVID-19 and its potential impact on obtaining FBI clearances and the
delivery of services to individuals with an intellectual disability or autism, the
Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is
issuing a Provisional Hiring Process that includes guidance for FBI clearances.
Discussion
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) recognizes that many FBI clearance sites,
operated by IdentiGO™ by Idemia in Pennsylvania, are closed in response to COVID-19.
ODP will suspend the FBI fingerprinting check for employers hiring staff serving adults
and will accept the provisional hiring template for staff serving adults if a FBI clearance
is unable to be obtained. This provisional hiring process can only be used when the
IdentiGO™ by Idemia service locations are closed in your area due to the COVID-19
emergency.
If a provider hires someone provisionally, it must be done in compliance with the Older
Adults Protective Services Act (35 P.S. §§ 10225.101—10225.5102) and applicable
regulations.
The attached template, labeled "COVID-19 Provisional Employment", contains a
provisional employment disclosure statement for staff serving adults. Providers should
use this template as a resource if there is a need to hire someone on a provisional basis
during the COVID-19 emergency. This template must be submitted as part of the
provider’s qualification documentation to demonstrate the provider is following the
provisional hiring policy. This provisional hiring process is only applicable during the
COVID-19 emergency and the lack of availability of the IdentiGO™ by Idemia locations.
Inquiries
If you have any question regarding the Provisional Hiring process, please contact the
ODP Provider Qualification Mailbox at ra-odpproviderqualif@pa.gov