comprehensive-background-check-background-check-processes

Reason(s) for non-compliance: • The Lead Agency or other state agency is not the entity conducting all required background checks and does not ensure the privacy of the background check results, as required by 98.43(a)(1)(i) and 98.43(e)(2). (Plan Question 5.7.10) • The Lead Agency does not ensure that child care staff that reside in a different State receive a comprehensive background check, as required by 98.43(e)(1) and 98.43(a)(1). (Plan Question 5.7.13b) • 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: 07/01/2026 Action Step Number Action Step Description Target Completion Date 1 The Child Care Policy Team informed Lead Agency Human Resources staff of changes needed to current background check operations for child care facilities and provide necessary legal information 11/01/2024 2 The Lead Agency's Division of Compliance, Bureau of Human Resources will develop policies for completion of background checks. 02/01/2025 3 The Child Care Policy Team will convene a workgroup to discuss implementation changes needed with licensed child care center directors to assess change impact 07/01/2025 4 Based on the developed policy, the Lead Agency's Child Care Policy Team will work with the Human Resources Team on identifying required background checks and the parties that must be background checked. 09/01/2025 5 Lead Agency staffing needs to complete background checks will be determined based on assumptions of current numbers of completed record checks each year. 10/01/2025 6 Legislative action will be requested in January 2026 to modify Iowa Code 237A to change processes for completion of record checks. 01/31/2026 7 A communication plan will be developed, specific to provider type (center vs. family child care) that provides guidance for child care providers on the change in process to background checks being run through the Lead Agency's Human Resources department. 06/01/2026 8 An IT system enhancement will be developed to track and monitor results of background checks and clearance for child care employment. 07/01/2026