Comprehensive Background Check: Pursuant to Section 43-20-1 et

Comprehensive Background Check: Pursuant to Section 43-20-1 et seq., of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 658(d) of the Child Care Development Block Grant Act of 2014, and Federal Rules and Regulations 45 CFR 98.43, a comprehensive, finger-print based, criminal history records check, consisting of a FBI national criminal history records check (NCIC), state criminal history records check (MCIC), state child abuse registry check, National Sex Offender Registry check (NSOR), a state sex offender registry check and an interstate check, if applicable, must be completed on all operators, employees, and prospective employees of a licensed, regulated, and/or registered child care facility as well as all child care providers eligible to deliver services for which Child Care Development Funds assistance is provided. Further, a comprehensive background must be completed every five years. 1. Before a prospective staff member may begin work in a child care facility, a valid Letter of Suitability must have been issued by the MSDH Criminal Records Check Unit. 2. Each licensed, regulated, and/or registered child care facility will electronically access, monitor, verify, and maintain the suitability status of any submitted employee through the agency maintained website. 3. If an individual has been separated from employment (break in service) in a child care facility for more than 180 consecutive days a new comprehensive criminal history records check must be submitted and approved before the individual may begin work in a child care family home. 4. In the event a child care applicant has a disqualifying event a letter of non-suitability will be issued. Both the child care provider and the applicant will be notified through the agency- maintained website. 5. Individuals under the age of 18 who are employed by a child care provider for compensation are required to complete a comprehensive background check. 6. Volunteers a. The facility shall maintain the following on any individual who volunteers in a child care facility for less than 120 hours per licensure year: i. A provider will maintain a timesheet on all volunteers indicating the number of hours they worked each time they were at the facility. ii. Immunization Compliance Form 121. b. The facility shall maintain the following on any individual who volunteers in a child care facility for 120 or more hours per licensure year: i. Letter of Suitability that reflects the completion of a full criminal records check, child abuse registry check, and sex offender check. Also, if required an out-of-state criminal records check, child abuse registry check, and sex offender check. ii. Immunization Compliance Form 121.