Please Read Important Update: Chaperone Volunteer Process Background Checks on HOLD Unexpected Delay @OPSO

We wanted to communicate an unexpected delay at the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office which impacts ISL's ability to process chaperone applications.

What's going on?

At this time, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office Civil Scan Department is experiencing technical difficulties due to a cyber attack on their system. As a result, background check services are temporarily suspended. This means no one can schedule background checks at this time. 

What is ISL doing?

We are in contact with their office daily to check on progress and to see when their system may be restored, but we have not yet received a confirmed timeline. At this time, we cannot get any of our parents scheduled for a background check and are “on hold” in the process.

Is there a Plan B?
We are working with ISL Human Resources Director (who uses the same system for staff background checks) to find an alternate avenue for background checks. Since this is organization-wide, we are unable to find a solution just for chaperones. We must work to find an organization-wide solution to address the problem. 

Timeline:

We know many families would like to complete this process quickly to confirm approval. Our commitment to you is that we are actively working to find a solution. At this time, I can commit to keeping you updated as we move forward and work to find possible solutions. 

What do you need to do?

For now, please hold off on sending any payments for background check fees until further notice. You can also call the Sheriff's office to check on status (504-202-9292), perhaps demanding for a resolution on their end can help speed up the process. 

And we ask for patience, as the situation and cyber attack are out of our control.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this unexpected situation.

Please continue to send in your completed mandatory reporter training certificates, which is a requirement for chaperone approval.

For question please reach out to jjones@isl-edu.org

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The Fall Chaperone volunteer application window is now OPEN.

Chaperone Volunteer Process

Chaperone Volunteers are required to complete additional steps, including:

•        Mandatory Reporter Training 
•        Background Check 

There are only 2 application windows for this process.

Chaperone Volunteer application deadlines for the 25-26 school year were as follows:

Fall 25-26 school year deadlines:

Mandatory Reporter Training Certificate due by September 30, 2025.

Background documents and Fee due by October 3, 2025.

Spring 25-26 school year deadlines:

Mandatory Reporter Training Certificate due by February 24, 2025.

Background documents and Fee due by February 27, 2025.

Ready to apply to become a Chaperone Volunteer?

All chaperone volunteers MUST be an approved ISL visitor. For more information on ISL Visitor Screening click here.

Below is a summary of our Chaperone Volunteer process, make sure to read through the Mandatory Reporter and Background Check tab for more details on the process.

Step 1:  Complete the online Mandatory Reporter Training and submit your certificate of completion. 

A link to the training can be found here in the mandatory training and background check process tab. Training is done online and takes about 90 minutes to complete. 

Step 2:  After completing the online Mandatory Reporter Training, email your certificate to volunteerdocs@isl-edu.org. Once you have submitted your certificate of completion, ISL’s Community Engagement Facilitator will email further instructions to complete your background check.

Step 3: Complete a background check with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Department. 

Background check scheduling will be arranged through ISL’s Community Engagement Facilitator. Background checks will be conducted at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) via a fingerprinting session. Chaperone volunteer applicants will report to the OPSO during their respective appointment time. The background check fee is $41.00, financial aid is available. You can find details on the background check process HERE.

Ready to Chaperone Volunteer

Once the background check is completed, the approval process takes place. Approved chaperones will receive an email stating approval from ISL’s Community Engagement Facilitator. Approval status will be shared with your campus. If the application is not approved, applicants will receive a phone call with additional information.