SALEM, OR — Wednesday, June 3, 2020 – While the vast majority of state-approved child care providers do not have criminal convictions, auditors found agencies have approved some providers with histories of concerning convictions or substantiated child abuse or neglect allegations, according to a Secretary of State audit released today. The audit also raises concerns with the state’s sex offender registry, including alarming delays in listing offenders on the public registry website. The findings are outlined in a report titled: “Oregon Should Improve Child Safety by Strengthening Child Care Background Checks and the State’s Sex Offender Registry.” New federal regulations set in 2017 require enhanced background checks of providers and their staff, and expressly disqualify individuals with certain criminal backgrounds, such as being a registered sex offender. The audit found both agencies charged with conducting background checks – the Oregon Department of Education and the Department of Human Services – had approved providers convicted of the new federal disqualifying crimes. Both agencies also took prompt action to remove those providers from their programs, which included 70 providers the agencies identified and 20 additional providers auditors found. The two agencies have differing background check procedures and rules for convictions that automatically disqualify a provider. When reviewing criminal histories, the agencies consider the length of time that has passed and other mitigating circumstances to try to balance child safety with employment rights of child care providers. The audit found some approved providers with concerning histories- including long records of felony and misdemeanor convictions, and providers with findings of child abuse or neglect in their past. The agencies both face information and data system deficiencies that limit their access to background information. This includes access to abuse and neglect data, and little information on background checks for providers in preschool and school-age programs. Agencies also need to more effectively share recent abuse and neglect allegations and other pertinent information. Lastly, the audit found the state’s complex rules and limitations for the sex offender registry diminishes state background checks and limits parents’ ability to ensure their child care provider is not a sex offender. Oregon’s registry, which is maintained by the Oregon State Police, includes some inaccurate self-reported information, excludes some sex offenders because of timing gaps in legislation, and the public website faces alarming delays with leveling information to list sex offenders. “Parents expect child care providers to keep their children safe. We need higher and consistent standards in our background checks for child care providers and prompt improvements to our sex offender registry,” said Secretary of State Bev Clarno. “Our report provides important information and resources parents can use to help ensure the safety of their children.”
