Potential gardeners only need to submit to a background check if they would like to garden at a school-based community garden on Denver Public Schools (DPS) property.
Denver Public Schools considers community gardeners to be school volunteers and requires that each gardener comply with DPS Volunteer Services Policies. Therefore, all gardeners who wish to garden at a school-based community garden in Denver, including family members of students, fall under the classification of a DPS Volunteer, and a background check will be required. While a photo ID is required, it does not need to be issued by the US Government. For example, a foreign photo ID such as a passport, license, student or Consulate ID would suffice. A social security number is also not required to complete the process. The information provided by a volunteer on the background check form is completely confidential and is never shared with other government agencies outside of DPS. Background check forms are available from the garden leaders at each garden.
Denver Urban Gardens is grateful for our longstanding partnership with DPS. Gardens on school grounds allow DUG to increase our organizational capacity by eliminating the costs of land acquisition and water tap fees. More importantly, participants at school-based community gardens are afforded the opportunity to interact with school communities, strengthening the sense of community in urban neighborhoods and creating partnerships among teachers, students, volunteers, and neighbors.
