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Overview

Mandatory DHHS and Criminal Background Checks

Carefully read ALL of the following important information. Any student enrolled or wanting to take an ECED course in the Early Childhood Education Program at Metropolitan Community College must complete the following:

All students who are over the age of 18 must be fingerprinted in order to do field experiences and practicums. Any student who will be going into an Early Childhood Program must complete the DHHS Department of Health and Human Services Abuse Registry Check AND complete the Child Care Fingerprint Criminal History Application.

If you have questions about your status on these checks, please email Char Evans at ckevans@mccneb.edu.

All students will receive an email at the beginning of every quarter with directions on how to complete the background checks. Be sure you check your student MCC email.

To proceed in the program, students are required to complete two items:

  1. Child Care Fingerprint Criminal History Check
  2. DHHS Department of Health and Human Services online link via DHHS email

See detailed Instructions for Completion below.

 

JOB & SALARY OUTLOOK

Instructor: Deanna Peterson, 531-622-2890
Instructor: Katie Sicheneder, N/A 

  • Log on to DHHS Criminal History Check
  • Complete application
  • You will need 2 copies of the application
    • (a.) One to submit to DHHS at DHHS.ChildCareLicensing@nebraska.gov or mailed to:
      DHHS Lincensure Unit
      Children's Services
      PO Box 94986
      Lincoln, NE 68509-4986 and
    • (b.) One to bring with you to the location you choose to get your fingerprints rolled.
  • Find a fingerprinting location in your area. A current listing of all locations can be found at the DHHS Childcare licensing webpage (Tip: Nebraska State Patrol locations have LiveScan capability and offer the quickest way to receive results). Completing fingerprints at an alternative site will result in increased processing time and may have an additional service fee.
  • Bring your government issued photo identification card (drivers license, passport, etc.) to the location identified.
  • Provide a copy of the completed application to the fingerprinting technician.
  • If the location is not a Nebraska State Patrol Troop location, you must submit fingerprints to the following address: Nebraska State Patrol - Criminal Identification Division 3800 NW 12th Street, Ste A Lincoln, NE 68521

Whether you currently work in a childcare center or not, you will still need to complete the application. Fill out Section I with MCC as the childcare center with Char Evans email address ckeveans@mccneb.edu. Also, complete Section II and sign. ONCE THE APP is COMPLETE, EMAIL AS A PDF TO Char Evans FOR SIGNATURE.

Q and A:

  1. What information do I need to complete on the fingerprint application?
    1. Please complete Section 1 with the following:
      1. Metropolitan Community College as the Child Care Program (no license #)
      2. ckeveans@mccneb.edu for the email address, 2909 Edward Babe Gomez Ave, Mahoney Room #109 for physical address
      3. 531-622-4543 for the phone number
      4. Send as a PDF to Char Evans for a signature before submitting to DHHS
    2. Please complete Section 2 and sign by "applicant signature"
  2. If I have already done fingerprinting, do I need to do it again?
    1. If your fingerprints were done PRIOR to October 1, 2019, you WILL need to do them again.
    2. If your fingerprints were done AFTER October 1, 2019, you still need to complete the application and send to the address provided. This way Susan Hood will receive confirmation that you have completed the process. You do not need to redo your fingerprints, just the application.
    3. Fingerprints are good for 5 years.
  3. Do I need to do fingerprinting if I have done them for something other than working in a Child Care facility?
    1. Yes, the Department of Health and Human Services is requiring this process be done specifically for working in a child care facility.
  4. Where do I go to get fingerprinted?
    1. Nebraska State Patrol fingerprinting services. This site will show locations in Nebraska

Students, you will receive an email (in a few days) in your MCC email account from DHHS with a link to complete the DHHS registry form online. Be sure to check your "junk" folder. Once you receive the email in your MCC email account you will complete the form ASAP. You will be billed $5.00 through your MCC account.

Contact Char Evans if you have any questions or concerns.

There are five practicum courses. Students may only take one practicum per quarter.:

  • ECED 1221 (1.5 credit hours) - Infant, 45 clock hours

OR

  • ECED 1222 (1.5 credit hours) - Toddler, 45 clock hours
  • ECED 1240 (1.5 credit hours) - Preschool Age, 45 clock hours
  • ECED 1241 (1.5 credit hours) - School Age, 45 clock hours
  • ECED 2090 (6 credit hours) - ECED Student Teaching, 180 clock hours with age group of student's choice

OR

  • ECED 2091 (6 credit hours) - ECED Administration
    The student will be placed with the director or chief administrator of an Early Childhood Education Program, student will work in cooperation with the director on administrative tasks to accomplish the required 180-hour experience or ten-week experience.

There are prerequisites for each practicum course. These prerequisites must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.

  • ECED 1221 Infant
    • ECED 1060 Observation, Assessment and Guidance
    • ECED 1110 Infant/Toddler Development
    • ECED 1150 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
    • ECED 1220 Prepracticum
  • ECED 1222 Toddler
    • ECED 1221 Infant Practicum
  • ECED 1240 Preschool Age
    • ECED 1050 Expressive Arts
    • ECED 1110 Infant/Toddler Development
    • ECED 1120 Preschool Child Development
    • ECED 1221 Infant Practicum
    • ECED 1222 Toddler Practicum
    • ECED 1230 School Age Child Development
  • ECED 1241 School Age
    • ECED 1240 Preschool Age Practicum
  • ECED 2090 ECED Student Teaching
    • ECED 1160 Early Language and Literacy
    • ECED 2050 Children with Exceptionalities
    • ECED 2060 Early Childhood Education Curriculum Planning
    • ECED 1221 Infant Practicum
    • ECED 1222 Toddler Practicum
    • ECED 1240 Preschool Age Practicum
    • ECED 1241 School Age Practicum
  • ECED 2091 ECED Administration
    • ECED 1060 Observation, Assessment and Guidance
    • ECED 2050 Children with Exceptionalities
    • ECED 2060 Early Childhood Education Curriculum Planning
    • ECED 1221 Infant Practicum
    • ECED 1222 Toddler Practicum
    • ECED 1240 Preschool Age Practicum
    • ECED 1241 School Age Practicum

If you have questions, or would like further information, please contact the appropriate practicum instructor:

Classes Instructor/Contact Information
ECED 1221
ECED 1222
ECED 1240
ECED 1241
ECED 2090
ECED 2091
Deanna Peterson
dfpeterson1@mccneb.edu
Katie Sichendeder
kjsicheneder@mccneb.edu

Practicum Applications

Note: You will need to access the Self Service portal in order to print a copy of your transcript. Also, make sure that your contact information is current in Self Service.

On your transcript, highlight or check all course prerequisites completed for the chosen practicum level.  Attach the transcript to the application, along with all required forms and mail or bring to:

Metropolitan Community College
Early Childhood Education Program
The Learning Community of North Omaha
1612 N. 24th Street - Room 132
Omaha, NE 68110

Please note the following important information

The following items are required in order for your practicum application to be accepted:

  1. Highlight completed prerequisites on your unofficial transcript.
  2. Be sure to complete the application and all required forms completely.
  3. Do not leave any blanks!  (Use N/A - not applicable)
  4. Make sure addresses are complete with city, state and zip.
  5. Sign and date your application.

These forms must be completed and submitted by the practicum application due date. You cannot begin any practicum until your name has been cleared by the DHHS registries. Copies of your CPR and First Aid cards or certificates must be provided before beginning any level of practicum

If you are a current or recent practicum student and your forms are less than one year old, we can pull those from your file. Please make note of that on your application. Also be sure all information is still current.

Practicum Instructor

Deanna Peterson (dfpeterson1@mccneb.edu)

Learning Community Center of North Omaha
1612 N. 24th Street, Room 132
Omaha, NE 68110

MCC Fort Omaha Campus
Building 10, Room 132
531-MCC-2890

Annual Practicum Application Deadlines

  • Spring Quarter:       January 20
  • Summer Quarter:    April 20
  • Fall Quarter:            July 20
  • Winter Quarter:       October 20

Late Applications will NOT be accepted.