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OSU Extension

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Mahoning County

Even if you have never participated in 4-H previously, we are always welcoming to adults who want to work with our youth to help them have a great experience. If you would like to learn more about the county 4-H program and how you may participate as a volunteer, please contact the 4-H Extension Educator, to set up a phone or in-person meeting.

Completing your Volunteer Application

  1. Complete a 4-H Volunteer Application and the 4-H Volunteer Standards of Behavior and submit them to the County Extension Office no later than March 15.
  2. Once your references have been returned to the county extension office you will be contacted to:
    • Set up an interview with the 4-H Extension Educator. This interview will typically last 30 minutes, and allows you to learn more about the 4-H program, and allows our county staff to get to know you better.
    • Get your fingerprints taken at a local office to run a background check. A background check is required every four years for all volunteers. The state 4-H office will reimburse you for the cost of your fingerprints/background check. Please submit a receipt along with the Reimbursement Form to our office.
  • Be sure to indicate that you are getting your fingerprints done under Reason Code #2151.86.
  • You may choose to get your fingerprints done at any of the offices listed in the chart below. Please be sure to check their hours, as well as whether you need an appointment before stopping in. The cost is generally $26.00-$32.00.
  • Have your background check results mailed to the following address:

 Mahoning County
OSU Office of Human Resources
1590 N High St., Suite 300
Columbus OH  43201

  1. Once you have completed your interview and submitted documentation that you have gotten your fingerprints done you will be invited to attend a New Volunteer Orientation session. This session will generally last 2 hours and will include information about OSU Extension, Ohio 4-H, 4-H rules and policies, and training on Child Abuse Recognition.
  2. Lastly, once you have completed all of these steps and your background check has cleared, you will receive a letter from the county extension office with recognition of your final status as a volunteer. Until the time that you have officially been accepted as a volunteer, you are not able to fulfill any volunteer responsibilities. Please refer to this chart for the differences between a volunteer and a non-volunteer.

Locations for Background Checks in Mahoning County

  1. Mahoning County Education Services Center (MCESC)  7320 N. Palmyra Rd. Canfield, OH 44406; 330-533-8755; by appointment only Tuesday and Thursday
  2. Bureau of Motor Vehicles  Boardman License Bureau 229 Boardman Canfield Rd. Boardman, OH 44512; 330-758-1988; Monday 9:00am-5:30pm, Tuesday through Friday 9:00am-4:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-11:00am
  3. National Background Check, Inc.  19 E. Front St. Youngstown, OH 44503; 877-932-2435; Monday through Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm
  4. Meridian Community Care  527 N. Meridian Rd. Youngstown, OH 44509; 330-797-0074; Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
  5. Mahoning County Sheriff's Office  110 5th Ave. Youngstown, OH 44503; 330-480-5030; Monday through Friday 9:00am-12:00noon and 1:00pm-3:30pm
  6. Boardman Police  8299 Market St. Boardman, OH 44512; 330-726-4144; Monday through Friday 8:00 am-3:00 pm; by appointment only
  7. Copeland Oaks  800 S. 15th St. Sebring, OH 44672; 330-938-1502; Monday through Friday 7:00 am-3:30 pm; by appointment only
  8. Austintown Work Med  20 Ohltown Rd. Austintown, OH 44515; 330-884-1500; Monday-Sunday 9:00am-9:00pm
  9. Poland License Bureau  3057 Center Rd. Suite C Poland, OH 44514; 330-707-9268; Monday and Tuesday 8:00am-5:00pm, Wednesday 8:00am-6:30pm, Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-12:00noon
  10. Humility of Mary Healthcare  45 McClurg Rd. Boardman, OH 44512; 330-729-1480; Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:00pm; by appointment only
  11. Ohio BCI  20 W. Federal St. Youngstown, OH 44503; 330-884-7545; Monday 9:00 am-11:00 am and Thursday 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
  12. Fieldprint Ohio  4496 Mahoning Dr. Youngstown, OH 44515; 877-614-4364; Monday through Friday 9:30 am-5:30 pm and Saturday 11:00 am-3:00 pm; by appointment only

Maintaining Volunteer Status

There are a few requirements that volunteers must meet in order to maintain their active status with the 4-H program.

  • Volunteers must be re-enroll during the open enrollment period (January 1-March 15) each year
  • As part of the annual re-enrollment process, volunteers must sign the Standards of Behavior each year
  • Volunteers must be associated with a specific club or committee under the 4-H program umbrella at all times
  • Volunteers must attend an annual Child Abuse Recognition training session
  • Volunteers must complete a BCI background check every four years
  • Volunteers must maintain good standing with the 4-H program at all times