Meher Foundation CORI Policy

1. Purpose

Meher Foundation is committed to providing a safe and trustworthy environment for its clients,

volunteers, staff, and community. As part of this commitment, the organization may request and review

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) for employment, volunteer, and contractor positions

where the law or organizational policy requires or permits such checks.

2. Steps for Conducting Background Checks

1. Applicant Notification & Consent – Applicants will be informed in writing that a CORI check is

required for the position. Applicants must sign a CORI Acknowledgment Form before any request is

submitted.

2. Submission of CORI Request – Only staff members authorized by the Executive Director may submit

CORI requests through the state-approved system.

3. Verification of Identity – The applicant’s identity will be verified by reviewing a government-issued

photo ID at the time of CORI authorization.

4. Review of CORI Results – Results will be reviewed only by staff trained and authorized to do so.

CORI information will be considered only as it relates to the applicant’s suitability for the role.

3. Confidentiality and Secure Storage

CORI records will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared except as required by law. Hard

copies of CORI results will be stored in a locked file cabinet with access limited to authorized staff.

Electronic CORI records will be password-protected and stored securely. Access logs may be

maintained to document who has reviewed CORI information.

4. Adverse Employment/Volunteer Decisions

If CORI results may disqualify an applicant, the organization will: (1) Provide the applicant with a copy

of their CORI report and the organization’s CORI Policy. (2) Notify the applicant of the specific

concern(s) related to the CORI findings. (3) Provide the applicant with an opportunity to explain or

dispute the information before a final decision is made.

Final decisions will be made by the Executive Director (or designated decision-maker) based on: the

nature and seriousness of the offense; the relevance of the offense to the position; the time elapsed

since the offense; and evidence of rehabilitation or mitigating circumstances.

5. Applicants’ Rights

Applicants have the right to request a copy of their CORI report, review and dispute the accuracy or

completeness of the information, and file a request with the Department of Criminal Justice Information

Services (DCJIS) to correct errors in their CORI record. No final decision will be made until the

applicant has had a reasonable opportunity to contest or clarify the record.6. Retention and Destruction of CORI Data

CORI records will be retained only as long as necessary to make a final determination regarding

employment, volunteer, or contract eligibility. Once a decision has been finalized, CORI data will be

destroyed by shredding physical documents and permanently deleting electronic copies. No CORI data

will be retained beyond seven (7) years from the date of the decision, in compliance with state

regulations.

7. Compliance

This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to comply with Massachusetts law,

DCJIS regulations, and best practices for nonprofit organizations.Your Rights and Information About CORI Checks

As part of Meher Foundation’s commitment to safety, some positions require a background check

through the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system. Below is what you need to know

about the process and your rights.

1. What to Expect

• You will be told in advance if a CORI check is required. • You must sign a consent form before we

request your record. • We will confirm your identity with a government-issued photo ID.

2. Confidentiality

• Your CORI results are kept strictly confidential. • Only trained, authorized staff will see them. •

Records are stored securely and destroyed when no longer needed.

3. If Something Appears on Your Record

• If your CORI results could affect your ability to work or volunteer with us: You will be given a copy of

your CORI report. You will have the chance to explain or provide more information. No final decision

will be made until you have had the opportunity to respond.

4. Your Rights

• You have the right to review your CORI record. • You may dispute incorrect or incomplete information.

• If there are errors, you can ask the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) to

correct them.

5. How Long We Keep Your Information

• CORI records are only kept as long as needed to make a decision. • After that, they are destroyed

securely.

If you have any questions about this process or your rights, please contact us.