States are required to background check child care workers. Many are falling short – The Hechinger Report
States are required to background check child care workers. Many are falling short The Hechinger Report
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Child Care Background Checks Still Fall Short of Federal Requirements
This story was produced by The 19th and reprinted with permission.
More than a decade ago, Celia Sims sat in a room with parents whose precious children had died while at day care. Most had been neglected by their caregivers. Some died from injuries, others in their sleep.
The Importance of Child Care Safety
Child care safety is a critical issue that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 4 (Quality Education). Ensuring the safety and well-being of children in child care facilities is essential for their healthy development and overall quality of life.
The Need for National Safety Standards
In the early 2010s, there was no federal requirement that child care providers undergo background checks. This lack of regulation led to tragic incidents where children were harmed or killed while in the care of licensed facilities. Recognizing the need for national safety standards, bipartisan legislation was drafted to establish these standards and improve the quality of child care across the country.
The 2014 Reauthorization of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
The 2014 reauthorization of the CCDBG introduced stricter background check requirements for child care job applicants. These requirements included federal checks of the FBI fingerprint and sex offender registries, state checks of criminal history, sex offender, and child abuse registries, as well as interstate checks of the same state registries in any state where a provider lived during the previous five years. The goal was to screen out individuals with a history of crimes that could endanger children.
Challenges in Implementing Background Checks
Despite the federal requirements, many states have struggled to fully comply with all aspects of the background check process. A 2022 report to Congress revealed that 27 states had not conducted all of the required checks and hiring practices. Outdated technology systems, bureaucratic challenges, and incomplete databases have hindered states’ ability to meet the federal standards.
The Impact on Child Care Providers and Workers
The inconsistent enforcement of background check rules has created barriers for both child care providers and workers. In some states, the requirements are too stringent, making it difficult for providers to hire qualified staff. In other states, the requirements are not high enough, potentially allowing individuals with problematic backgrounds to work in child care. This disparity disproportionately affects in-home care providers, who are often women of color and play a crucial role in low-income communities.
The Need for Equitable and Effective Background Checks
The current background check system raises questions about its fairness, effectiveness, and potential biases. Incomplete and unreliable information in abuse registries, varying state laws on sharing information across state lines, and racial and economic disparities in the screening process all contribute to these concerns. Striking the right balance between child protection and workforce accessibility is crucial.
The Path to Improving Background Checks
Addressing the challenges in implementing background checks requires a collaborative effort at both the federal and state levels. States must invest in resources, technology, and infrastructure to meet the federal requirements. Additionally, there is a need for political will and financial support to ensure the safety of children in child care settings. Ongoing evaluation and improvement of the background check system are necessary to achieve the intended goals of protecting children and providing quality care.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
- SDG 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Number of states conducting comprehensive background checks on child care providers
- Number of states in compliance with the background check requirements
- Number of states with updated policies and procedures for background checks
- Number of states with complete and accurate databases for background checks
- Number of states with online inspection reports and data collection on serious incidents
- Number of states with efficient and effective interstate background checks
- Number of states with reliable and complete information in abuse registries
- Number of states with equitable and fair gatekeeping mechanisms for background checks
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education. | – Number of states conducting comprehensive background checks on child care providers – Number of states in compliance with the background check requirements – Number of states with updated policies and procedures for background checks – Number of states with complete and accurate databases for background checks – Number of states with online inspection reports and data collection on serious incidents |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life. | – Number of states with equitable and fair gatekeeping mechanisms for background checks |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | – Number of states with equitable and fair gatekeeping mechanisms for background checks |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | – Number of states with reliable and complete information in abuse registries |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: hechingerreport.org
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