Number: RL32430
Title: Child Care and Child Welfare: Background Checks
Authors: Kendall Swenson, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: Recent improvements in information sharing technology and a concern over the safety of Americas children have increased the amount of criminal background checks performed on potential adoptive parents, foster care families, and other people that are in close contact with children such as child care providers and youth program volunteers. These background checks are not for criminal justice purposes, meaning that the people under review are not being investigated for a particular crime, but are performed with the cooperation of law enforcement agencies. The persons required to undergo a background check and the procedures needed to complete each review vary greatly by state but often include a series of searches in state and federal criminal history databases as well as state child abuse and neglect records systems. While a previous criminal conviction does not always mean that a person is unsuitable to work or live with children, state social service agencies and child care providers use this information as a part of a wider process to help ensure the safety of children served through their organizations.
Pages: 12
Date: June 28, 2004