Two Decades of Screening, Service, and Compliance: Lessons That Still Matter Today

This year marks 20 years since Unique Background Solutions first opened its doors. From day one, our mission has been clear: to provide personalized, reliable, and compliant screening solutions that put people first — both the people we serve and the people we screen.

Over the last two decades, we've watched background screening evolve from faxed forms and manual record checks to digital portals and integrated apps. We’ve worked with small nonprofits and large employers alike, and we’ve learned a lot. As we celebrate this milestone, we want to share a few of the lessons we’ve learned — and what we wish more clients understood about the background screening process.

Lesson 1: Technology is great — but people matter more.

In an age where automated systems and chatbots dominate customer service, we’ve stayed committed to a different path. When you call us, you speak to a real, trained person — not a ticketing system. And when you have a question, you get a thoughtful answer from someone who knows the industry.

Technology is a powerful tool (we’ll get to that), but what sets us apart is the human touch: our experienced team who know the ins and outs of screening, compliance, and customer service. That personal investment matters, especially when you’re dealing with sensitive information and life-changing decisions.

Lesson 2: One size doesn’t fit all.

We’ve worked with organizations across dozens of industries, but one of our longest-running partnerships has been with Girls on the Run. Over 15 years ago, we helped them build a customized volunteer screening program — one that prioritized safety without breaking their budget. As their needs evolved, so did our solutions. We added re-screening capabilities and compliance checkpoints, and even built what would become EZyApp — a digital ordering platform designed just for them.

That same platform now supports employers across the country, but its roots are in understanding a client’s specific needs and building around them. Whether you’re screening 10 people a year or 10,000, your process should reflect your unique risks, goals, and regulations.

Lesson 3: County searches still matter.

One of the biggest misconceptions we see is the idea that a “national background check” is enough. The truth? National databases are a valuable tool — but they’re not a complete solution.

We’ve always emphasized the importance of county-level searches, especially when it comes to volunteer and youth-serving organizations. They offer the most up-to-date and accurate view of an individual’s criminal history. In fact, part of our work with Girls on the Run was helping them understand where to supplement their national search with targeted county checks — and making that workflow simple through EZyApp.

Lesson 4: Compliance isn’t just legal — it’s protective.

We’ve seen firsthand how costly non-compliance can be. Missing a disclosure form or skipping an adverse action letter might seem small in the moment, but it can result in lawsuits, reputational harm, and lost trust.

That’s why we’ve built compliance into everything we offer. Our systems guide clients through proper disclosure and authorization collection, document storage, and review timelines. We take this seriously — not because it’s a box to check, but because it’s what keeps your organization (and applicants) protected.

Lesson 5: The best clients ask questions.

The most successful partnerships we’ve had over the years come from clients who want to learn. They ask about turnaround times. They want to understand the difference between a statewide and county check. They ask if their policy is still up to date.

We love those questions — because it means our clients care about doing things right. And we’re here to help them get there.

Looking Ahead

Twenty years in, we’re proud of what we’ve built — and who we’ve built it with. We believe the future of background screening isn’t about cutting corners or automating people out of the process. It’s about combining the best of both worlds: smart tools and smarter service.

To our clients, past and present: thank you. And to those just discovering us, we invite you to experience the Unique difference.