🚨 One year ago, the LifeWise state director for Oklahoma was asked about background checks….
His answer should terrify everyone who cares about kids safety.
He said some checks come back with “flags” when things have not been resolved yet.
Then he said:
“We’re forgiving people.”
And if someone has “been to the courts and dealt with everything,” the background check will come back clear.
So here’s the question:
➡️ What permanently disqualifies someone from working with children in LifeWise?
LifeWise’s vendor explanations have changed over time: this older video references Protect My Ministry, 2024 reporting referenced ProScreening, and LifeWise now says it uses ADP.
But the vendor name is not the real issue. A background check is only as strong as the policy behind it.
Parents deserve the current written policy.
Source: Original LifeWise video, 43:35–44:08
https://www.youtube.com/live/B_Z1YbjZmwo
What people are saying:
- Secular Education Association: Child abuse.
Sex crimes.
Child exploitation.
Violent offenses.
Domestic violence.
Drug trafficking.
Serious criminal history involving harm to children or public safety.
These are the kinds of things that can disqualify someone from working in a public school.They can keep someone from being hired as a teacher, aide, coach, bus driver, or classroom volunteer.
🚨But LifeWise is not a public school.
LifeWise is a private religious program pulling children out of public school during the school day — and unless a district writes and enforces stronger safeguards, LifeWise gets to set its own standards.
That is the problem.
A vague “we run background checks” is not enough.Parents deserve to know what kind of check was done, who reviewed it, what offenses are automatic disqualifiers, and whether the school district actually verified it.
Because if someone’s record would raise a disqualifying red flag inside the public school, they should not be given access to children through a private religious program during the public school day.
- Secular Education Association: In July 2024, Joel Penton reportedly said LifeWise used ProScreening and had previously used Protect My Ministry. (Chronicle Telegram)
In May 2026, LifeWise told reporters that staff and volunteers undergo screenings through ADP Screening and Selection Services. (TiffinOhio.net)
LifeWise’s own FAQ says volunteers, staff, leadership, and board members undergo background screenings upon hire and every three years thereafter, but it does not answer the key public question: what offenses permanently disqualify someone? (LifeWise Academy)
We are using the original LifeWise video and exact timestamp. *** Please note***. This is an older clip, so we are not claiming Protect My Ministry is LifeWise’s current vendor.
The concern is bigger than the vendor: what offenses permanently disqualify someone from being given access to children during the public school day?
Leave a Reply