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Welcome to the FAQ section for the LDSS-3370 form. This resource aims to provide answers to common questions about completing and submitting the Statewide Central Register Database Check Form (LDSS-3370). If you have further questions after reviewing this section, please don't hesitate to reach out to the appropriate contact for assistance.

1. What is the LDSS-3370 form?

   The LDSS-3370 form is a document required by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. It is used to perform a background check through the Statewide Central Register Database to identify any instances of child abuse or maltreatment reported against an individual or members of their household. This form is primarily used in contexts such as adoption, foster care, and employment or volunteering at child care facilities.

2. Who needs to complete the LDSS-3370 form?

   Individuals applying for adoption, prospective or current foster care households, family and group family day care providers, certain employees, and volunteers associated with child care services need to complete this form.

3. What information is required on the LDSS-3370 form?

   The form requires detailed personal information about the applicant and all household members, including minors. Required information includes full names (present and former), relationships to the applicant, sex, dates of birth, and comprehensive address history over the past 28 years.

4. Is there a fee associated with the LDSS-3370 form?

   Yes, a fee of $25.00 is required for certain classifications of applicants, such as potential employees and care providers. This fee must be paid via a certified check, money order, or agency check made payable to "New York State Office of Children and Family Services."

5. How do I submit the LDSS-3370 form?

   Once completed, the LDSS-3370 form should be mailed to the Statewide Central Register, P.O. Box 4480, Albany, NY 12204-0480.

6. Can I submit the form electronically?

   No, currently the form needs to be mailed to the provided address along with any required fee.

7. What if I make a mistake on the form?

   If a mistake is made, it is recommended to start over with a new form to ensure all information is legible and accurate. Incomplete or illegible forms will be returned to the sender for correction.

8. Who can I contact if I have questions while filling out the form?

   If you have questions or require assistance, you can call the SCR at 518-474-5297 for guidance on properly completing the form.

9. How long will it take to process the LDSS-3370 form?

   Processing times can vary. It is advisable to submit the form well in advance of any deadlines to accommodate any potential delays.

10. How do I order more LDSS-3370 forms?

    To order more forms, you can access the (OCFS-4627) Request for Forms and Publications from the provided internet or intranet links and mail the completed request to the Office of Children and Family Services, Resource Distribution Center.

If your question was not answered in this FAQ, please review the instructions provided with the LDSS-3370 form or contact the SCR directly for more information.

When completing the LDSS-3370 form, people often make several mistakes that could delay or complicate the process. These errors can be avoided by paying close attention to the instructions and ensuring that all information is complete and legible. Here are four common mistakes to watch out for:

1. Leaving sections incomplete: Every section of the LDSS-3370 form needs to be filled out completely. Failure to do so will result in the form being returned for corrections. It's crucial to review each part and verify that no fields are left blank.
2. Illegible handwriting: All information on the form must be easily read. If the form is filled out by hand, the handwriting must be clear and legible. Illegible forms can lead to inaccuracies in data entry and processing, causing delays.
3. Incorrect or missing address history: For certain categories, such as Adoption, Foster Care, and Family and Group Family Day Care, a complete 28-year address history is required not only for the applicant but also for any household members 18 and older. It’s a common mistake to provide incomplete addresses or omit periods of residence. This includes failing to list all previous residences in detail, including street names, city, and state. Missing or incomplete address information can lead to an incomplete background check.
4. Signature discrepancies: The names listed in the Applicant/Household Member Area must match the signatures. Differences between recorded names and signatures can cause confusion and require clarification. This discrepancy frequently occurs when nicknames or initials are used for signatures instead of the full legal names provided on the form.

To ensure the smooth processing of the LDSS-3370 form, applicants should double-check their entries for these common mistakes before submission. Completing the form accurately and legibly is essential for an efficient and successful background check process.

When working with the LDSS-3370 form, it's often necessary to complement it with additional documents and forms to ensure a comprehensive approach to the process it is part of. These additional documents often cater to different aspects of the application process, ranging from personal identification to further background checks. Understanding each document and its purpose can streamline the process, ensuring all necessary information is gathered efficiently.

• OCFS-4627 Request for Forms and Publications: This is primarily used to order more supplies of the LDSS-3370 form or other related documents from the Office of Children and Family Services.
• SSA-89 (Authorization for the Social Security Administration (SSA) To Release Social Security Number (SSN) Verification): Filed along with the LDSS-3370 to verify the SSN of the applicant with the SSA, ensuring the accuracy of their identification details.
• DCFSA-1 (Day Care Facility System Application): For daycare providers, this application is necessary for registering with the Child Care Facility System, which might be referenced on the LDSS-3370 in certain contexts.
• LDSS-2221A (Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Maltreatment): In the process of background checks, if there's suspicion of child abuse or maltreatment, this form is used to report those suspicions to the appropriate authorities.
• OF-306 (Declaration for Federal Employment): Although a federal form, it might be required for positions that involve both federal oversight and state-level responsibilities, offering additional insight into the applicant’s eligibility.
• SCR Request for Check of the Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (for Foster and Adoptive Parents): This is a specific check for those applying to be foster or adoptive parents, detailing if they have been involved in child abuse or maltreatment cases.
• OCFS-3909 (Request for Information - Child Abuse and Maltreatment Registry): Similar to the LDSS-3370, this form is specifically focused on requests for information from the Child Abuse and Maltreatment Registry for background checking purposes.
• OCFS-4930 (Staff Exclusion List Check Form): Required for individuals working with vulnerable populations to ensure they are not listed on the Staff Exclusion List, indicating they’ve been involved in abusive situations.
• LDSS-3371 (Request for Clearance of Household Members in Foster and Adoptive Placements): Complements the LDSS-3370 by specifically requesting checks on all household members in foster and adoption situations.
• OCFS-LDSS-7076 (Consent to Background Check): This form gives consent for a comprehensive background check, including criminal history, and is often used alongside the LDSS-3370 for thorough checks.

Efficiently navigating through the process involving the LDSS-3370 form and its complementary documents requires an understanding of the purpose and specific information each document provides. Whether for employment, foster care, adoption, or daycare provider certification, the collective information garnered from these forms ensures a safe and compliant environment for all parties involved.

• The Employment Application Form is similar as it also collects personal details, employment history, and references to ensure candidates meet the criteria for the position they are applying for, similar to how the LDSS-3370 form screens candidates for their suitability in caregiving roles.

• The Volunteer Application Form closely mirrors the LDSS-3370 in its collection of personal information, background, and references to screen individuals who wish to volunteer, especially in settings that involve vulnerable populations, ensuring they have no history of abusiveness or neglect.

• Tenant Rental Application Forms are similar because they require comprehensive personal history, including previous addresses and financial information to assess the reliability and background of potential tenants, akin to how LDSS-3370 assesses the background of individuals in care settings.

• The Foster Care Application shares similarities with the LDSS-3370, particularly in areas that scrutinize the backgrounds of potential foster parents and other household members to ensure the safety and wellbeing of foster children, demanding thorough personal and household member details.

• Adoption Application Forms resemble the LDSS-3370 in that they gather detailed personal information, background checks, and family compositions to evaluate the suitability of prospective adoptive families, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for the child.

• The Daycare Licensing Application is akin to the LDSS-3370 as both forms collect detailed information about the applicants and their households to ensure that children are entrusted to safe and capable providers, with a focus on the provider’s background and the living environment.

• Background Check Authorization Forms for employment mimic the LDSS-3370 in their function to comprehensively screen an individual’s background for any history that may disqualify them from employment, prioritizing the safety and integrity of the workplace, similar to the safeguarding intentions of the LDSS-3370.

• A Personal History Form for Licensing/Certification often required for professionals entering sensitive occupations, shares similarities with the LDSS-3370, as both entail detailed personal, educational, and professional histories to ensure the individuals meet stringent standards pertinent to their roles, particularly those involving care and trust.

When filling out the LDSS-3370 form, it’s important to approach the process with care and attention to detail. This document is used by the Statewide Central Register for background checks, which are critical for employment in child care, foster care, adoption, and other sensitive areas. To ensure smooth processing, here are several do’s and don’ts:

• Do print clearly or type the information to avoid any misinterpretation of your details.
• Do review every section of the form to confirm you’ve filled out all required information to prevent delays.
• Do include complete address histories for the required period—28 years, to ensure thorough background checks.
• Do list all household members, both adults and children, as their information is crucial for the comprehensive background check.
• Do double-check the agency information section to ensure the three-digit agency code and other identifiers are correctly entered.
• Do make sure that the name under which you sign matches the name provided in the applicant/household member area to avoid any confusion.
• Do attach additional pages securely if more space is needed for address history, ensuring that it’s clear which individual each address history refers to.

• Don’t use abbreviations for the agency name or addresses as this could lead to incorrect data entry.
• Don’t leave any required fields incomplete, as this will result in the form being returned to you for corrections.
• Don’t neglect to review the form for legibility—illegible forms will also be returned.
• Don’t use PO Box numbers for addresses; full street addresses are required to process your background check properly.
• Don’t sign the form if the signature date could be more than 6 months old by the time it reaches the SCR.
• Don’t forget to provide detailed address histories for every individual as required, including providing complete dates of residence.
• Don’t use another copy of the LDSS-3370 form for additional information—instead, attach a separate sheet.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your LDSS-3370 form is completed correctly and efficiently, supporting a smooth process for both the applicant and the reviewing agency.

Understanding the LDSS-3370 form can sometimes be difficult, with various misconceptions floating around. It's important to set the record straight to ensure that this document is filled out correctly and efficiently.

Misconception 1: All household members need to sign the LDSS-3370 form.

This is incorrect. Only the applicant and, for certain categories such as Adoption, Foster Care, and Family and Group Family Day Care, household members who are 18 or over are required to sign the form. Other household members who are not applying do not need to sign.

Misconception 2: You need to list only current household members.

Actually, the form requires you to list all household members, including both adults and children, whether they are related to the applicant or not. This helps in getting an accurate database check from the Statewide Central Register.

Misconception 3: The form doesn’t need to be typed; handwriting is fine.

While it is acceptable to fill out the form in clear handwriting, typing the information ensures legibility, helping in processing the form more accurately and swiftly.

Misconception 4: You can use PO Box addresses for the address history.

Complete addresses are required on the LDSS-3370 form. PO Box addresses are not acceptable for this purpose. The form mandates detailed residential addresses, including street names and apartment numbers if applicable.

Misconception 5: Additional pages are not allowed if space runs out.

If you run out of space while filling the LDSS-3370, you're encouraged to attach additional pages. However, it's crucial to ensure that these pages are securely stapled to the main form and clearly identify the applicant's name and the associated address histories or household members.

Misconception 6: The LDSS-3370 form is only for child care providers.

Although child care providers must complete this form, it's also used for a variety of other purposes, including applications for foster care, adoption, and certain employment situations within agencies serving children. It's a comprehensive tool for background checks against the Statewide Central Register Database.

Misconception 7: Only New York State residents need to complete the LDSS-3370 form.

Anyone applying for roles or situations requiring a check against New York’s Statewide Central Register Database needs to complete the form, regardless of their current residence. This includes previous New York residents now living in other states or countries who are applying for positions or certifications within New York State.

• Misconception 1 clarifies who needs to sign the form.
• Misconception 2 highlights the requirement to list all household members.
• Misconception 3 discusses the preference for typed information.
• Misconception 4 explains the need for complete physical addresses.
• Misconception 5 gives guidance on attaching additional pages if necessary.
• Misconception 6 broadens the scope of the form's applicability beyond child care providers.
• Misconception 7 addresses the geographical relevance of the form.

By understanding these key points, individuals and agencies can better navigate the process of completing the LDSS-3370 form, ensuring accurate and efficient processing.

When completing the LDSS-3370 form, it's imperative to ensure all information is both complete and legible, helping to facilitate accurate data entry and results. This form is crucial for screenings related to various caregiving positions, such as daycare providers, and foster care or adoption applicants. Here are five key takeaways to keep in mind:

• Every section of the form must be filled out with easily readable handwriting or typed to avoid delays and inaccuracies in processing.
• Specifically, for agency information, the three-digit agency code and Resource ID (RID) or Child Care Facility System (CCFS) Number, where applicable, must be accurately entered. These codes are essential for identifying the submitting entity.
• It's mandatory to list all household members, both adults and children, regardless of their relationship to the applicant, in the applicant/household member area. This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure a thorough background check.
• For sections requiring address history, it's critical to provide complete addresses (including street name and number, city, and state) for the past 28 years, ensuring no gaps. Different categories may require varied levels of detail about address history.
• Signatures are required from the applicant and, depending on the category (such as adoption, foster care, and family or group family day care), additional signatures may be needed from other adult household members. The form must be signed as per the instructions, aligning with the names provided in the applicant/household member area, and dated correctly to be considered valid.

It's also essential to note that a form with a signature date more than six months old will not be accepted. For any questions about the form or its completion, contacting the Statewide Central Register (SCR) is recommended. Mailing the completed form as directed ensures it reaches the appropriate office for processing. This form plays a critical role in the safety and well-being of children in care situations, making accurate and complete submissions paramount.