Which agencies work with DCF to assess the background of child care personnel?

The collaboration between the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and welfare of children in child care settings. The FDLE is responsible for conducting background checks on child care personnel, which includes reviewing criminal history records to determine the suitability of individuals for working with children. This process is essential to uphold standards of safety and protect the well-being of children in care.

The FBI is also involved in this process by providing national background checks, which helps to identify any criminal record that may not be present in local or state databases. This two-tiered approach, using both state resources (FDLE) and federal resources (FBI), ensures a thorough assessment of the background of child care personnel.

Understanding the importance of these agencies’ roles helps illuminate the meticulous process that DCF utilizes to maintain a safe environment for children in childcare facilities.