comprehensive-background-check-background-check-processes

Reason(s) for non-compliance: • The Lead Agency does not ensure the privacy of the background check results, as required by 98.43(e)(2). (Plan Question 5.7.10) • The Lead Agency background check appeals process does not provide the affected child care staff member with a notice of the opportunity to appeal the results of a background check or instructions on how to complete the appeals process, does not attempt to verify the accuracy of the information challenged by the child care staff member or respond with a written notice of the decision, and does not coordinate with other agencies in charge of background checks, as required by 98.43(e)(3)(i), 98.43(e)(3)(ii), 98.43(e)(3)(iii), and 98.43(e)(3)(v). (Plan Questions 5.7.11i, 5.7.11ii, 5.7.11iii, 5.7.11v, and 5.7.11vi) • The Lead Agency does not ensure background checks are completed within 45 days of the request, as required by 98.43(e)(1). (Plan Question 5.7.13a) • The Lead Agency has not established a direct URL/website link that contains instructions on how child care providers and other States and Territories should initiate background check requests for prospective and current child care staff members, as required by 98.43(g). (Plan Question 5.7.15a) • The Lead Agency does not post all the required information related to the interstate criminal background check, interstate sex offender registry check, or the interstate child abuse and neglect (CAN) registry check on the consumer education website, as required by 98.43(g) and 98.33(a)(1)(iii). (Plan Questions 5.7.15b, 5.7.15c, and 5.7.15d) • The Lead Agency does not conduct background checks when a provider is separated from employment for more than 180 consecutive days, as required by 98.43(d)(3)(iii). (Plan Question 5.7.17) Overall Target Completion Date: 07/31/2025 Action Step Number Action Step Description Target Completion Date 1 The Lead Agency does not ensure the privacy of the background check results, as required by 98.43(e)(2). (Plan Question 5.7.10) 06/30/2025 2 Step 2. Develop new procedures to be used during the background check results process that ensures privacy. 4/30/25 Step 3. Implement new procedures. 5/31/25 05/31/2025 3 The Lead Agency background check appeals process does not provide the affected child care staff member with a notice of the opportunity to appeal the results of a background check or instructions on how to complete the appeals process, does not attempt to verify the accuracy of the information challenged by the child care staff member or respond with a written notice of the decision, and does not coordinate with other agencies in charge of background checks, as required by 98.43(e)(3)(i), 98.43(e)(3)(ii), 98.43(e)(3)(iii), and 98.43(e)(3)(v). (Plan Questions 5.7.11i, 5.7.11ii, 5.7.11iii, 5.7.11v, and 5.7.11vi) 06/30/2025 4 Step 4. Review current background check processes including those processes related to the appeals, accuracy of the information challenged by the child care staff member, written notice of the decisions, and coordination with other agencies thar are part of the background checks process. 4/30/25 Step 5. Revise notice of appeal procedures. 5/31/25 Step 6. Implement new notice of appeal procedures. 5/31/25 Step 7. Draft revised instructions for the lead agency's website about how to complete the appeals process. 5/31/25 Step 8. Revise the lead agency's website to provide clear instructions about how to complete the appeals process. 6/30/25 Step 9. Revise processes to verify the accuracy of the information challenged by the child care staff member and to respond with a written notice of the decision. 5/31/25 Step 10. Implement new processes to verify the accuracy of the information challenged by the child care staff member and to respond with a written notice of the decision. 5/31/25 Step 11. Establish coordination between the lead agency and other agencies in charge of background check information and results to 06/30/2025 ensure the appeals process is conducted in accordance with the Act. 6/30/25 5 The Lead Agency does not ensure background checks are completed within 45 days of the request, as required by 98.43(e)(1). (Plan Question 5.7.13a) 06/30/2025 6 Review current background check procedures. 04/30/2025 7 Develop new procedures to ensure all background checks are completed within 45 days of the request. 05/31/2025 8 Implement new procedures. 06/30/2025 9 The Lead Agency has not established a direct URL/website link that contains instructions on how child care providers and other States and Territories should initiate background check requests for prospective and current child care staff members, as required by 98.43(g). (Plan Question 5.7.15a 06/30/2025 10 Update the lead agency's website with the revised instructions. 05/31/2025 11 The Lead Agency does not post all the required information related to the interstate criminal background check, interstate sex offender registry check, or the interstate child abuse and neglect (CAN) registry check on the consumer education website, as required by 98.43(g) and 98.33(a)(1)(iii). (Plan Questions 5.7.15b, 5.7.15c, and 5.7.15d) 06/30/2025 12 Gather the missing information that needs to be added to the consumer education website. 05/31/2025 13 Submit to the web developer the missing information to be added to the consumer education website, 06/30/2025 14 Publish new webpage with required information. 06/30/2025 15 The Lead Agency does not conduct background checks when a provider is separated from employment for more than 180 consecutive days, as required by 98.43(d)(3)(iii). (Plan Question 5.7.17) 06/30/2025 16 Review current background check procedures. 04/30/2025 17 Revise procedures to require that background checks must be conducted when a provider is separated from employment for more than 180 consecutive days. 05/31/2025 18 Implement new procedures. 06/30/2025