What is required to screen prospective agency staff and foster home applicants for safety?

• A. Reference checks only
• B. Fingerprint-based criminal history checks and monitoring for disqualifying offenses prior to eligibility
• C. Verbal interviews only
• D. No background checks required

Answer: (B)

Screening for safety relies on fingerprint-based criminal history checks that access state and federal records, combined with ongoing monitoring for disqualifying offenses before someone is deemed eligible. This approach reveals past and current risks that self-reports or interviews alone can miss, helping to ensure that only qualified individuals are approved to work with or care for children. Reference checks or verbal interviews may not uncover disqualifying history, and having no background checks would leave serious safety gaps. So, the required process is fingerprint-based checks and monitoring for disqualifying offenses prior to eligibility.