comprehensive-background-check-pre-service-check-requirements (PROVISIONAL HIRE)

Reason(s) for non-compliance: • The Lead Agency does not require a qualifying result from an FBI criminal background check or an in-state criminal background check with fingerprints before a prospective staff member begins work, as required by 98.43(d)(4). (Plan Questions 5.7.12a and 5.7.12b) • The Lead Agency allows the prospective staff member to work unsupervised before receiving a qualifying result on the comprehensive background check requirements, as required by 98.43(d)(4). (Plan Question 5.7.12i) 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