Background Check Process

The Background Check is required for all eligible individuals living or working in a licensed childcare facility who may have unrestricted or unsupervised access to children in care, and in accordance with the Federal Child Care Development Grant (CCDBG), all new and existing child care employees, including those under 18 who are employed at a day care program. At present Illinois fingerprinting and background checks are free to applicants, household members, and employees of licensed, eligible unlicensed and eligible licensed-exempt facilities. Individuals who have lived outside of Illinois within the last 5 years are subject to interstate background check subject to the requirements of those states. The background check process cannot be used by employees of non-licensed programs operated by the licensee or it’s umbrella agency.

 

There are two types of background checks.

 

Individuals subject to Partial Background Check

 

·         Volunteers and household members age 13 through 17 years of age should complete a 718 Authorization for background Check and a partial check will be conducted by DCFS. This form should be submitted to the licensing representative assigned to the Child care home or center.  The background check for age 13-17 will consist of a check of the Illinois Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) and Illinois Sex Offender Registry (SOR) and those of any state in which the individual has lived within the past 5 years.

 

Components of the Partial Background Check

·         Illinois Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS)

·         Illinois Sex Offender Registry (SOR)

·         and those of any state in which the individual has lived within the past 5 years.

 

Individuals subject to Comprehensive Criminal Background Check

·         Individuals employed by a child care provider for compensation, including those between the ages of 14 through 17, contract employees or self-employed individuals;

·         Individuals whose activities involve the care or supervision of children for a child care provider or unsupervised access to children who are cared for or supervised by a child care provider

·         Any individual residing in a family child care home who is age 18 and older.

 

Components of Comprehensive Background Check include a search of:

·         Illinois Child Abuse and Neglect System (CANTS)

·         Illinois Sex Offender Registry (SOR)

·         Illinois State Police Criminal History Check

·         National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR)

·         National FBI Criminal Fingerprint Search

·         The National Crime Information Center (NCIC)/National Sex Offender Registry upon implementation in Illinois by the Illinois State Police

·         A search of the following registries, repositories, or databases in the state where the child care staff member resides and each state where the staff member resided during the preceding 5 years:

1.       State criminal registry or repository, with the use of fingerprints required in the state where the staff member resides and optional in other states

2.       State sex offender registry or repository

3.       State child abuse and neglect registry and database

 

The Comprehensive Background Check is to be completed every five years, except for interstate checks.  Since Illinois license period is three years, the Comprehensive Background Check will take place during the Renewal of license.  However, to avoid being out of compliance, Background Clearances should always be within the five-year period.

 

 

Household members age 13 through 17 years of age should complete a CFS 718 Authorization for Background Check and a partial check will be conducted. This form should be submitted to the licensing representative assigned to the home or center. For such minors, the parent or guardian also sign the authorization form.

 

If the individual’s background check indicates a history of records, depending upon the nature of the conviction(s), the information may either be found to be:

·         An absolute bar to licensure or employment in a childcare facility

·         A history which requires a waiver form the Director of the DCFS

Since all State criminal history information and FBI history cannot be shared with an employer, if there are bars or waivable bars, the individual will be provided information as to the results and the options, and how to request a waiver. The employer will only be provided general information as to the denial or approval of the clearance, not specific information regarding the number or types of convictions.

The information provided will also outline steps to appeal a denial if one was given, based on errors and misinformation., The appeal process involves submission of supporting documentation to an unbiased, three-person panel that will review the history and the documentation and determine if the denial is to be upheld or overturned.

For home applicants and family member, the background check approval process is the same; however, the licensing representative will be the party to request the waiver. In this case also, any individual denied a clearance will be eligible to appeal the decision through the three-person review panel.