5.7 Comprehensive Background Checks

Lead Agencies must conduct comprehensive background checks for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of all child care providers that are (1) licensed, regulated, or registered under State/Territory law, regardless of whether they receive CCDF funds; or (2) all other child care providers eligible to deliver CCDF services (e.g., license-exempt CCDF eligible child care providers). Family child care home providers must also submit background check requests for all household members age 18 or older. A comprehensive background check must include: three in-state checks, two national checks, and three interstate checks if the individual resided in another State or Territory in the preceding 5 years. The background check components must be completed at least once every five years. All child care staff members must receive a qualifying result from either the FBI criminal background check or an in-state fingerprint criminal history check before working (under supervision) with or near children. Lead Agencies must apply a CCDF-specific list of disqualifying crimes for child care providers serving families participating in CCDF. These background check requirements do not apply to individuals who are related to all children for whom child care services are provided. Exemptions for relative providers will be addressed in subsection 5.8. 5.7.1 In-state criminal history check with fingerprints a. Does the Lead Agency conduct in-state criminal history background checks with fingerprints for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers, regardless of CCDF participation? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any categories of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers for whom you do not conduct in-state criminal background checks with fingerprints. b. Does the Lead Agency conduct in-state criminal history background checks with fingerprints for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of all other child care providers eligible for CCDF participation (i.e., license-exempt providers) other than relative providers? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any categories of child care providers eligible for CCDF participation for whom you do not conduct in-state criminal background checks with fingerprints. c. Does the Lead Agency conduct the in-state criminal background check with fingerprints for all individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home who do not receive an in-state criminal background check with fingerprints. 5.7.2 National Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history check with fingerprints a. Does the Lead Agency conduct FBI criminal history background checks with fingerprints for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers, regardless of CCDF participation? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any categories of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers for whom you do not conduct FBI criminal background checks with fingerprints. b. Does the Lead Agency conduct FBI criminal history background checks with fingerprints for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of all other child care providers eligible for CCDF participation (i.e., license-exempt providers)? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any categories of child care providers eligible for CCDF participation for whom you do not conduct FBI criminal background checks. c. Does the Lead Agency conduct the FBI criminal background check with fingerprints for all individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home who do not receive an FBI criminal background check with fingerprints. 5.7.3 National Crime Information Center (NCIC) National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) name-based check The majority of NCIC NSOR records are fingerprint records and are automatically included in the FBI fingerprint criminal background check. But a small percentage of NCIC NSOR records are only name-based records and must be accessed through the required name-based search of the NCIC NSOR. a. Does the Lead Agency conduct NCIC NSOR name-based background checks for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers, regardless of CCDF participation? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any categories of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers for whom you do not conduct NCIC NSOR name-based background checks. b. Does the Lead Agency conduct NCIC NSOR name-based background checks for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of all other child care providers eligible for CCDF participation (i.e., license-exempt providers)? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any categories of child care providers eligible for CCDF participation for whom you do not conduct NCIC NSOR name-based background checks. c. Does the Lead Agency conduct the NCIC NSOR name-based background check for all individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home who do not receive a NCIC NSOR name-based background check. 5.7.4 In-state sex offender registry (SOR) check a. Does the Lead Agency conduct in-state SOR checks for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers, regardless of CCDF participation? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any categories of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers for whom you do not conduct in-state SOR background checks. b. Does the Lead Agency conduct in-state SOR background checks for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of all other child care providers eligible for CCDF participation (i.e., license-exempt providers)? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any categories of child care providers eligible for CCDF participation for whom you do not conduct in-state SOR background checks. c. Does the Lead Agency conduct the in-state SOR background check for all individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home who do not receive an in-state SOR background check. 5.7.5 In-state child abuse and neglect (CAN) registry check a. Does the Lead Agency conduct CAN registry checks for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers, regardless of CCDF participation? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any categories of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers for whom you do not conduct CAN registry checks. b. Does the Lead Agency conduct CAN registry checks for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of all other child care providers eligible for CCDF participation (i.e., license-exempt providers)? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any categories of child care providers eligible for CCDF participation for whom you do not conduct CAN registry checks. c. Does the Lead Agency conduct the CAN registry check for all individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home who do not receive a CAN registry check. 5.7.6 Interstate criminal history check These questions refer to requirements for a Lead Agency to conduct an interstate check for a child care staff member (including prospective child care staff members) who currently lives in their State or Territory but has lived in another State, Territory, or Tribal land within the previous 5 years. a. Does the Lead Agency conduct interstate criminal history background checks for any staff member (or prospective staff member) who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers, regardless of CCDF participation? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe any categories of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers for whom you do not conduct interstate criminal history background checks. Currently, all licensed, regulated and registered child care providers are required to obtain interstate criminal history background checks for all staff, including prospective staff, and applicants for licensure, registration or approval as a family day system home, agents of the applicant, and any adult living in the child day program, who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years. (§§ 22.1-289.035 and 22.1-289.036) The child care provider (the program, not the employee) locates each state’s contact information for the required background checks on the Lead Agency’s website using the Interstate Criminal Background Check Contact Chart maintained by the National Center on Subsidy Innovation and Accountability. The provider follows each state’s specific instructions to obtain the required background check. Background checks results are given to the provider, who must review the results to determine eligibility. VDOE was notified of possible non-compliance with this provision on June 28, 2023. Additional time is needed to plan, budget for, and implement an approach for coming into compliance with this requirement. b. Does the Lead Agency conduct interstate criminal history background checks for any staff member (or prospective staff member) who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years eligible for CCDF participation (i.e., license-exempt providers)? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe any categories of child care providers eligible for CCDF participation for whom you do not conduct interstate criminal history background checks. Currently, all child care providers eligible for CCDF participation are required to obtain interstate criminal history background checks for all staff, including prospective staff, and applicants for CCDF, agents of the applicant, and any adult living in the child day program, who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years. (§§ 22.1-289.035, 22.1-289.036, 22.1-289.039 and 22.1-289.040) The child care provider (the program, not the employee) locates each state’s contact information for the required background checks on the Lead Agency’s website using the Interstate Criminal Background Check Contact Chart maintained by the National Center on Subsidy Innovation and Accountability. The provider follows each state’s specific instructions to obtain the required background check. Background checks results are given to the provider, who must review the results to determine eligibility. VDOE was notified of possible non-compliance with this provision on June 28, 2023. Additional time is needed to plan, budget for, and implement an approach for coming into compliance with this requirement. c. Does the Lead Agency conduct interstate criminal history background checks for all individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home and resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years. [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe why individuals age 18 or older that resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years who reside in a family child care home that do not receive an interstate criminal history background check. Currently, all providers are required to obtain interstate criminal history background checks for individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home, who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years. (§§ 22.1-289.03 and 22.1-289.040) The child care provider (the program, not the employee) locates each state’s contact information for the required background checks on the Lead Agency’s website using the Interstate Criminal Background Check Contact Chart maintained by the National Center on Subsidy Innovation and Accountability. The provider follows each state’s specific instructions to obtain the required background check. Background checks results are given to the provider, who must review the results to determine eligibility. VDOE was notified of possible non-compliance with this provision on June 28, 2023. Additional time is needed to plan, budget for, and implement an approach for coming into compliance with this requirement. 5.7.7 Interstate Sex Offender Registry (SOR) check These questions refer to requirements for a Lead Agency to conduct an interstate check for a child care staff member (including prospective child care staff members) who currently lives in their State or Territory but has lived in another State, Territory, or Tribal land within the previous 5 years. a. Does the Lead Agency conduct interstate SOR checks for any staff member (or prospective staff member) who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers, regardless of CCDF participation? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe any categories of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers for whom you do not conduct interstate SOR checks. Currently, all licensed, regulated and registered child care providers are required to obtain interstate SOR checks for all staff, including prospective staff, and applicants for licensure, registration or approval as a family day system home, agents of the applicant, and any adult living in the child day program, who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years. (§§ 22.1-289.035 and 22.1-289.036) The child care provider (the program, not the employee) locates each state’s contact information for the required background checks on the Lead Agency’s website using the Interstate Criminal Background Check Contact Chart maintained by the National Center on Subsidy Innovation and Accountability. The provider follows each state’s specific instructions to obtain the required background check. Background checks results are given to the provider, who must review the results to determine eligibility. VDOE was notified of possible non-compliance with this provision on June 28, 2023. Additional time is needed to plan, budget for, and implement an approach for coming into compliance with this requirement. b. Does the Lead Agency conduct interstate SOR checks for any staff member (or prospective staff member) who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years eligible for CCDF participation (i.e., license-exempt providers)? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe any categories of child care providers eligible for CCDF participation for whom you do not conduct interstate SOR checks. Currently, all child care providers eligible for CCDF participation are required to obtain interstate SOR checks for all staff, including prospective staff, and applicants for CCDF, agents of the applicant, and any adult living in the child day program, who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years. (§§ 22.1- 289.035, 22.1-289.036, 22.1-289.039 and 22.1-289.040) The child care provider (the program, not the employee) locates each state’s contact information for the required background checks on the Lead Agency’s website using the Interstate Criminal Background Check Contact Chart maintained by the National Center on Subsidy Innovation and Accountability. The provider follows each state’s specific instructions to obtain the required background check. Background checks results are given to the provider, who must review the results to determine eligibility. VDOE was notified of possible non-compliance with this provision on June 28, 2023. Additional time is needed to plan, budget for, and implement an approach for coming into compliance with this requirement. c. Does the Lead Agency conduct the interstate SOR checks for all individuals age 18 or older who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years who reside in a family child care home? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe individuals age 18 or older that resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years who reside in a family child care home that do not receive an interstate SOR check. Currently, all providers are required to obtain interstate SOR checks for individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home, who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years. (§§ 22.1-289.036 and 22.1-289.040) The child care provider (the program, not the employee) locates each state’s contact information for the required background checks on the Lead Agency’s website using the Interstate Criminal Background Check Contact Chart maintained by the National Center on Subsidy Innovation and Accountability. The provider follows each state’s specific instructions to obtain the required background check. Background checks results are given to the provider, who must review the results to determine eligibility. VDOE was notified of possible non-compliance with this provision on June 28, 2023. Additional time is needed to plan, budget for, and implement an approach for coming into compliance with this requirement. 5.7.8 Interstate child abuse and neglect (CAN) registry check These questions refer to requirements for a Lead Agency to conduct an interstate check for a child care staff member (including prospective child care staff members) who currently lives in their State or Territory but has lived in another State, Territory, or Tribal land within the previous 5 years. a. Does the Lead Agency conduct interstate CAN registry checks for any staff member (or prospective staff member) that resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers, regardless of CCDF participation? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe any categories of licensed, regulated, or registered child care providers for whom you do not conduct interstate CAN registry checks. Currently, all licensed, regulated and registered child care providers are required to obtain interstate CAN registry checks for all staff, including prospective staff, and applicants for licensure, registration or approval as a family day system home, agents of the applicant, and any adult living in the child day program, who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years. (§§ 22.1-289.035 and 22.1-289.036) The child care provider (the program, not the employee) locates each state’s contact information for the required background checks on the Lead Agency’s website using the Interstate Criminal Background Check Contact Chart maintained by the National Center on Subsidy Innovation and Accountability. The provider follows each state’s specific instructions to obtain the required background check. Background checks results are given to the provider, who must review the results to determine eligibility. VDOE was notified of possible non-compliance with this provision on June 28, 2023. Additional time is needed to plan, budget for, and implement an approach for coming into compliance with this requirement. b. Does the Lead Agency conduct interstate CAN registry checks for any staff member (or prospective staff member) who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years eligible for CCDF participation (i.e., license-exempt providers)? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe any categories of child care providers eligible for CCDF participation for whom you do not conduct interstate CAN registry checks. Currently, all child care providers eligible for CCDF participation are required to obtain interstate CAN registry checks for all staff, including prospective staff, and applicants for CCDF, agents of the applicant, and any adult living in the child day program, who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years. (§§ 22.1-289.035, 22.1-289.036, 22.1-289.039 and 22.1-289.040) The child care provider (the program, not the employee) locates each state’s contact information for the required background checks on the Lead Agency’s website using the Interstate Criminal Background Check Contact Chart maintained by the National Center on Subsidy Innovation and Accountability. The provider follows each state’s specific instructions to obtain the required background check. Background checks results are given to the provider, who must review the results to determine eligibility. VDOE was notified of possible non-compliance with this provision on June 28, 2023. Additional time is needed to plan, budget for, and implement an approach for coming into compliance with this requirement. c. Does the Lead Agency conduct the interstate CAN registry checks for all individuals age 18 or older who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years who reside in a family child care home? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe individuals age 18 or older that resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years who reside in a family child care home that do not receive interstate CAN registry checks. Currently, all providers are required to obtain interstate CAN registry checks for individuals age 18 or older who reside in a family child care home, who resided in other state(s) in the past 5 years. (§§ 22.1-289.036 and 22.1-289.040) The child care provider (the program, not the employee) locates each state’s contact information for the required background checks on the Lead Agency’s website using the Interstate Criminal Background Check Contact Chart maintained by the National Center on Subsidy Innovation and Accountability. The provider follows each state’s specific instructions to obtain the required background check. Background checks results are given to the provider, who must review the results to determine eligibility. VDOE was notified of possible non-compliance with this provision on June 28, 2023. Additional time is needed to plan, budget for, and implement an approach for coming into compliance with this requirement. 5.7.9 Disqualifications for child care employment The Lead Agency must prohibit employment of individuals with child care providers receiving CCDF subsidy payment if they meet any of the following disqualifying criteria: • Refused to consent to a background check. • Knowingly made materially false statements in connection with the background check. • Are registered, or are required to be registered, on the State/Territory sex offender registry or repository or the National Sex Offender Registry. • Have been convicted of a felony consisting of murder, child abuse or neglect, crimes against children (including child pornography), spousal abuse, crimes involving rape or sexual assault, kidnapping, arson, physical assault, or battery. • Have a violent misdemeanor committed as an adult against a child, including the following crimes: child abuse, child endangerment, sexual assault, or any misdemeanor involving child pornography. • Convicted of a felony consisting of a drug-related offense committed during the preceding 5 years. a. Does the Lead Agency disqualify the employment of child care staff members (including prospective staff members) by child care providers receiving CCDF subsidy payment for CCDF-identified disqualifying criteria? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe the disqualifying criteria: b. Does the Lead Agency use the same criteria for licensed, regulated, and registered child care providers regardless of CCDF participation? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe any disqualifying criteria used for licensed, regulated, and registered child care providers: c. How does the Lead Agency use results from the in-state child abuse and neglect registry check? [ ] Does not use them to disqualify employment. [x] Uses them to disqualify employment. If checked, describe: The in-state child abuse and neglect registry check results indicate whether the person has been founded of child abuse or neglect. Child care providers shall not hire, continue to employ, or permit to serve as a volunteer who will be alone with, in control of, or supervising children any person who is the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth. The in-state child abuse and neglect registry check results indicate whether the person has been founded of child abuse or neglect. (§§ 22.1- 289.035, 22.1-289.036, 22.1-289.039 and 22.1-289.040) d. How does the Lead Agency use results from the interstate child abuse and neglect registry check? [ ] Does not use them to disqualify employment. [x] Uses them to disqualify employment. If checked, describe: The interstate child abuse and neglect registry check results indicate whether the person was found in the child abuse and neglect registry. Child care providers shall not hire, continue to employ, or permit to serve as a volunteer who will be alone with, in control of, or supervising children any person who is the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth. (§§ 22.1-289.035, 22.1-289.036, 22.1-289.039 and 22.1- 289.040) 5.7.10 Privacy Lead Agencies must ensure the privacy of a prospective staff member by notifying child care providers of the individual’s eligibility or ineligibility for child care employment based on the results of the comprehensive background check without revealing any documentation of criminal history or disqualifying crimes or other related information regarding the individual. Does the Lead Agency certify they ensure the privacy of child care staff members (including prospective child care staff member) when providing the results of the comprehensive background check? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe the current process of notification: The lead agency does ensure the privacy of prospective staff by notifying child care providers of the individual’s eligibility or ineligibility based on results of the national fingerprint results (which include the Virginia Sex Offender Registry and NCIC NSOR) and the Virginia child abuse and neglect registry search without revealing any documentation of criminal history or disqualifying crimes or other related information. However, the state plan letter issued by OCC on December 13, 2021, indicated noncompliance in this area because currently child care providers (employers) are responsible for conducting interstate background checks and making eligibility determinations (§§ 22.1-289.035 and 22.1-289.040), which does not allow the lead agency to ensure the privacy of child care staff members (including prospective child care staff member) when providing the results of the comprehensive background check. The lead agency is currently working with the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), the state agency that we collaborate with to process fingerprint results (including the Virginia sex offender registry search and NCIC NSOR search) and Virginia child abuse and neglect registry searches, to determine how we can move forward with conducting interstate background checks as well. This implementation will require amended policies and procedures, an amended memorandum of understanding, and additional staffing, and will not be implemented by October 1, 2024. 5.7.11 Appeals processes for background checks Lead Agencies must provide for a process that allows child care provider staff members (and prospective staff members) to appeal the results of a background check to challenge the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in the individual’s background check report. Does the appeals process: i. Provide the affected individual with information related to each disqualifying crime in a report, along with information/notice on the opportunity to appeal. [x] Yes. [ ] No. Describe: ii. Provide the affected individual with clear instructions about how to complete the appeals process for each background check component if they wish to challenge the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in such individual’s background report. [x] Yes. [ ] No. Describe: iii. Ensure the Lead Agency attempts to verify the accuracy of the information challenged by the individual, including making an effort to locate any missing disposition information related to the disqualifying crime. [x] Yes. [ ] No. Describe: iv. Get completed in a timely manner. [x] Yes. [ ] No. Describe: v. Ensure the affected individual receives written notice of the decision. In the case of a negative determination, the decision must indicate (1) the Lead Agency’s efforts to verify the accuracy of information challenged by the individual, (2) any additional appeals rights available to the individual, and (3) information on how the individual can correct the federal or State records at issue in the case. [x] Yes. [ ] No. Describe: vi. Facilitate coordination between the Lead Agency and other agencies in charge of background check information and results (such as the Child Welfare office and the State Identification Bureau), to ensure the appeals process is conducted in accordance with the Act. [x] Yes. [ ] No. Describe: 5.7.12 Provisional hiring of prospective staff members Lead Agencies must at least complete and receive a qualifying result for either the FBI criminal background check or a fingerprint-based in-state criminal background check where the individual resides before prospective staff members may provide services or be in the vicinity of children. Until all the background check components have been completed, the prospective staff member must be supervised at all times by someone who has already received a qualifying result on a background check within the past five years. Check all background checks for which the Lead Agency requires a qualifying result before a prospective child care staff member begins work with children. a. FBI criminal background check. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: b. In-state criminal background check with fingerprints. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: c. In-state Sex Offender Registry. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: d. In-state child abuse and neglect registry. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: e. Name-based national Sex Offender Registry (NCIC NSOR). [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: f. Interstate criminal background check, as applicable. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: g. Interstate Sex Offender Registry check, as applicable. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: h. Interstate child abuse and neglect registry check, as applicable. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: i. Does the Lead Agency require provisional hires to be supervised by a staff member who received a qualifying result on the comprehensive background check while awaiting results from the provisional hire’s full comprehensive background check? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 5.7.13 Completing the criminal background check within a 45-day timeframe The Lead Agency must carry out a request from a child care provider for a criminal background check as expeditiously as possible, and no more than 45 days after the date on which the provider submitted the request a. Does the Lead Agency ensure background checks are completed within 45 days (after the date on which the provider submits the request)? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe the timeline for completion for categories of providers, including which background check components take more than 45 days. b. Does the Lead Agency ensure child care staff receive a comprehensive background check when they work in your State but reside in a different State? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe the current policy: Current policy requires that employees and other individuals required to have a background check, that have lived in another state in the past five years (which would include staff currently living in another state) are required to have interstate background checks completed in addition to the national criminal history search and Virginia child abuse and neglect registry. However, the lead agency does not currently conduct the interstate requests. Instead, child care providers are responsible for submitting the request for a search of the child abuse and neglect registry, sex offender registry, and criminal history name search for each state the individual has resided in the past five years. The lead agency then verifies compliance during inspections. 5.7.14 Responses to interstate background check requests Lead Agencies must respond as expeditiously as possible to requests for interstate background checks from other States/Territories/Tribes in order to meet the 45-day timeframe. a. Does your State participate in the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact or National Fingerprint File programs? [x] Yes. [ ] No. b. Describe how the State/Territory responds to interstate criminal history, Sex Offender Registry, and Child Abuse and Neglect Registry background check requests from another state. Criminal history record dissemination by the Virginia State Police is governed by § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia, which allows the dissemination of criminal history record information upon receipt of a written request from an employer or prospective employer provided that the person on whom the data is being obtained has consented in writing to the making of such request and has presented a photo-identification to the employer or prospective employer. Form SP-167, which requires notarization, allows authorization by both the requesting agency and the individual whose name is being searched. Information on how to obtain a Virginia Criminal Record Check can be found on the VSP website at https://vsp.virginia.gov/services/criminal-background/. Sex offender registry dissemination by the Virginia State Police is governed by § 9.1-912 of the Code of Virginia, which allows the dissemination of registry information upon receipt of an official request form. Requestors can use Form SP-266, Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Name Search, or Form SP-167, which is also used for an interstate criminal history record check and includes a search of the sex offender registry and requires notarization, allowing authorization by both the requesting agency and the individual whose name is being searched. Information on how to obtain a Virginia Criminal Record Check and Sex Offender Registry Search can be found on the VSP website at https://vsp.virginia.gov/services/criminal-background/. Virginia child abuse and neglect registry dissemination by the Virginia Department of Social Service's Office of Background Investigations (OBI) is governed by § 63.2-1515, which allows OBI to respond to requests from other states, territories, and tribes for searches of the Virginia Child Abuse and Neglect Registry. Those searches are processed as they are received. OBI has a mandated turnaround time of 10 business days for Virginia central registry checks in cases where there is no match within the central registry. The Central Registry findings indicate whether or not the individual is listed in the registry with a founded disposition of child abuse/neglect. There is a referral number provided if the requester wants more information. Requests can be submitted via mail or by using the OBI portal at https://centralregistry.dss.virginia.gov/crs/s/?language=en_US. c. Does your State/Territory have a law or policy that prevents a response to CCDF interstate background check requests from other States/Territories/Tribes? [ ] Yes. If yes, describe the current policy. [x] No. 5.7.15 Consumer education website links to interstate background check processes Lead Agencies must include on their consumer education website and the website of local Lead Agencies if the CCDF program is county-run, the policies and procedures related to comprehensive background checks. This includes the process by which a child care provider or other State or Territory may submit a background check request. a. Provide the 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: https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/providers/background-checks and https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/44531/63846367613 5630000 Check to certify that the required elements are included on the Lead Agency’s consumer and provider education website for each interstate background check component. b. Interstate criminal background check: i. [x] Agency name ii. [x] Address iii. [x] Phone number iv. [x] Email v. [x] Website vi. [x] Instructions vii. [x] Forms viii. [x] Fees ix. [x] Is the State a National Fingerprint File (NFF) State? x. [x] Is the State a National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact State? xi. If not all boxes above are checked, describe: c. Interstate sex offender registry (SOR) check: i. [x] Agency name ii. [x] Address iii. [x] Phone number iv. [x] Email v. [x] Website vi. [x] Instructions vii. [x] Forms viii. [x] Fees ix. If not all boxes above are checked, describe: d. Interstate child abuse and neglect (CAN) registry check: i. [x] Agency name ii. [x] Is the CAN check conducted through a county administered registry or centralized registry? iii. [x] Address iv. [x] Phone number v. [x] Email vi. [x] Website vii. [x] Instructions viii. [x] Forms ix. [x] Fees x. If not all boxes above are checked, describe: 5.7.16 Background check fees The Lead Agency must ensure that fees charged for completing the background checks do not exceed the actual cost of processing and administration. Does the Lead Agency certify that background check fees do not exceed the actual cost of processing and administering the background checks? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe what is currently in place and what elements still need to be implemented: 5.7.17 Renewal of the comprehensive background check Does the Lead Agency conduct the background check at least every 5 years for all components? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, what is the frequency for renewing each component? All background checks are required every five years for staff, applicants for licensure, registration or system approved homes; agents of applicants, CCDF applicants, and adult household members. In addition to the required background checks, the lead agency also requires a completed sworn statement, which includes a statement regarding whether the individual has lived outside of Virginia within the last five years (including currently living out of state). However, the state plan letter issued by OCC on December 13, 2021, indicated noncompliance in this area because currently child care providers (employers) are responsible for conducting interstate background checks (§§ 22.1-289.035 and 22.1- 289.040). The lead agency is not yet conducting interstate background checks. The lead agency is currently working with the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), the state agency that we collaborate with to process fingerprint results (including the Virginia sex offender registry search and NCIC NSOR search) and Virginia child abuse and neglect registry searches, to determine how we can move forward with conducting interstate background checks as well. This implementation will require amended policies and procedures, an amended memorandum of understanding, and additional staffing, and will not be implemented by October 1, 2024.