Background Studies - Child Care

State law requires background studies for certain people who provide direct contact services or have access to vulnerable adults and children. The background study determines whether a person has a disqualifying characteristic which prevents the person from working with children or living in the home of a provider. The background study process is changing to meet the federal requirements of the 2014 Child Care and Development Block Grant.

What the changes mean for child care providers:

  • DHS will cover the one-time cost of enhanced child care background studies. On September 15, 2021 all child care background study fees will be set to $0.
  • Fingerprinting and photographs will again be required for most child care background studies.
  • Study subjects will be required to disclose criminal history information and complete an informed consent form.

Background study requirements for child care providers:

  • Study subjects cannot provide direct contact services to people served by the program until a notice is received of a completed background study which indicates the individual is eligible to work; or a notice is received indicating that more time is needed, but the person can work with supervision.
  • In the event of a disqualification of a current staff member, regulated providers will be required to remove the individual (regardless of their role) from employment.
  1. Cost
  2. Disqualifiers
  3. What is Included
  4. Who Needs
  5. More Info

The Department of Human Services will cover the costs of background studies through December 31, 2023. The cost in 2024 and beyond will be:

  • Adults: $40.00 for the study and $9.10 for the fingerprinting fee.
  • Minors: The cost of the name and date of birth study will be $20.00

For most people, the new enhanced background study will be good for five years before they have to be repeated and the DHS one-time funding will not cover the cost of the next study.