The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s (IDHW) Criminal History Unit (CHU) serves the State of Idaho by completing fingerprint-based criminal history and background checks on individuals licensed or certified by the department, or who provide care or services to vulnerable adults or children. From July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, CHU completed 24,194 background checks. During this time, 357 applicants’ background checks were either denied or withdrawn due to disqualifying offenses.
The goal of the CHU is to complete the required criminal history and background checks in an expeditious and meticulous manner. However, the fingerprint scanners, computer equipment and software, first deployed in 2005, are reaching the end of their service life. The two dedicated background check servers are currently failing and the store and forward server management software is not current. Additionally, CHU’s website, piloted and launched in 2007, requires upgrades and enhancements not supported by the unit’s self-funded budget structure.
The Criminal History Unit’s request is $525,000 in federal funding for the project period, with a match of $175,000 in an allocation from the State of Idaho's operational budget. If awarded this grant, the CHU would use the funds to replace electronic fingerprinting stations and two dedicated secure servers. Funds would also be used to fund programming hours to optimize the CHU background check web-based system customer interface.