Criminal History Background Report

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio (“RMHC NEO”) conducts a criminal history background check on all individuals (18 years old or older) who will be staying at the Cleveland Ronald McDonald House. In selecting family members and visitors for temporary residence, RMHC NEO screens individual’s suitability for temporary residence among other families. A criminal conviction record which reveals behavior that may adversely affect another individual’s (e.g., other temporary residents, guests, staff, volunteers) health, safety, welfare and ability to peacefully enjoy the Ronald McDonald House facility shall result in your application for temporary residence being denied. This information will include but not be limited to allegations and convictions for crimes committed upon minors and will be gathered from any law-enforcement agency of this State or Federal government, to the extent permitted by State and Federal law. For example, and without limitation, convictions of violent crimes, domestic violence, child abuse, sex offenses, illegal drug activity, burglary, and/or identity theft will result in rejection of your application.

Below is a Criminal History Background Report Authorization for you to review and sign.  Each family member or overnight visitor (18 years old or older) who intends to establish temporary residence must separately fill out this form. Once we receive the completed form, RMHC NEO will have an independent third party conduct a criminal history background check.

RMHC NEO will attempt to obtain and use a criminal history background “consumer report” from a “consumer reporting agency” when considering your request for temporary residence while your child (or family relation) is receiving medical treatment at a Cleveland medical center. These quoted terms are defined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), a law which RMHC NEO deems to apply to you.* As an applicant for temporary residence at our facility, RMHC NEO is considering you to be a “consumer” with rights under the FCRA.

Please understand that RMHC NEO solely will obtain a criminal history background report to assist it in determining whether to grant you temporary residence.  RMHC NEO is not obtaining a “consumer report” for any other information and will NOT be conducting a credit check.

If RMHC NEO considers any information in the criminal history background report when making a temporary residence decision that directly and adversely affects you, you will be provided with a copy of that report. You also may contact the Federal Trade Commission about your rights under the FCRA as a “consumer” with regard to “consumer reports” and “consumer reporting agencies.” FCRA_Summary_of_Rights

RMHC NEO, in its sole discretion, will determine whether your criminal record may threaten an individual’s health, safety, welfare, and ability to peacefully enjoy the RMHC NEO facility and, therefore, result in your request for temporary residence being denied.  You are required to promptly notify the Ronald McDonald House Family Services Manager or Assistant Manager if your answer to the above-referenced questions needs to be updated.

RMHC NEO will in addition make an overall decision whether the rest of your family will be eligible to stay based on their individual checks.

Each adult, aged 18 or over, who is requesting to stay at an RMHC NEO facility must complete a Criminal Background Report Authorization.

Criminal Background Report Authorization Form

*A “consumer reporting agency” is a person or business that, for monetary fees, dues or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly assembles or evaluates consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing “consumer reports” to others, such as RMHC NEO. A “consumer report” that will be used by RMHC NEO is any written, oral or other communication of any information by a “consumer reporting agency” bearing on character, general reputation, personal characteristics, motor vehicle record, or mode of living that is used or collected for the purpose of serving as a factor in establishing the consumer’s eligibility to stay at an RMHC NEO facility. A “consumer report” also may include, without limitation, information about your employment history, educational background, or your criminal history background.