DCF background checks


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The Department of Children & Families has a dedicated Unit, located within the Careline, assigned to process the background checks. Upon request, the Background Check Unit will perform a search of the Department's Central Registry and Child Abuse & Neglect history on an individual who will be working or providing a service directly or indirectly to children and/or families. The Department changed the process to submit CPS Background Checks in June 2021. CPS Background Checks are now submitted via the DCF CPS Background Check Portal.

 

What background checks can DCF do?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) offers three different background checks:

  • Employment : We search the Central Registry and Child Abuse & Neglect history of people who will work with or provide a service directly or indirectly to children and families. Use form DCF-3031 (Child Protective Services Background Check)

  • Adoption and Foster Care : We check prospective foster and adoptive parents plus people who will work in a DCF-licensed care facility or provide a community-based or credentialed service. Use form DCF-3033 (Adoption and Foster Care Background Check)

  • Adam Walsh : Child protection agencies from outside of Connecticut may request these background checks. Individuals cannot request an Adam Walsh background check.

Directions for Adam Walsh requests:

  • Must be on the Agencies' Letterhead;
  • Must contain the individuals demographic information. (e.g. date of birth, names of children, etc …);
  • Information should be submitted through the CPS Background Check Portal for processing

 

What background checks does DCF not do?

  • Criminal history: DCF does NOT process criminal checks. Criminal Records Checks are handled by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, 860-685-8480.

Complete this form and mail or fax it to the State Police Bureau of Identification location on the form with the applicable fee.

 

Background Check FAQ's

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Who can request a CPS background check?

  • Anyone seeking to find their own status on the Central Registry / history.
  • State Agencies (e.g., The Office of Early Childhood, State Department of Education, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Motor Vehicles, etc.)
  • DCF (Interdepartmental Units)
  • Prospective Employers (All)
  • Licensing Authorities (In & Out of State Residential & Congregate Care Settings)
  • Daycare Settings (Out of state, where permitted by law)
  • Adoption/Foster Care Agencies (In & Out of State)
  • Schools
  • Churches

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How do I request a background check?

An Authorization for Release of Information must be signed and dated by the applicant. If you are unsure which form to use, see "which form do I use?" below. Please ensure the signed form is submitted within the designated time frames outlined on the form. The form should be submitted to the Department following successful submission of a request via the CPS Background Check Portal.

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Which form do I use?

Use DCF-3031 (CPS Background Check) for:

  • Day Care
  • Employment
  • Internship
  • Mentor
  • Other
  • Volunteer

Use DCF-3033 (Adoption and Foster Care Background Check) for:

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Guidelines for Completing Forms

When securing the release form from the applicant, please ensure that the form meets the following guidelines:

  • Agency information must be clearly entered at the top of the forms;
  • Form must contain applicant signature and be dated;
  • Forms must be legible (printed/filled in on computer or typed);
  • Forms cannot be altered. (e.g. write-out, cross out, form design changed without DCF approval, etc..);
  • Reason for requesting a BGC must be selected, (employment, volunteer, etc..);
  • No blank spaces (if there is a section that does not apply, "N/A" must be entered.);
  • If applying to more than one employment agency that requires a DCF check , the applicant must submit a separate form for each agency. The applicant only grants authorization to share information with one agency per form.
  • Any forms that do not meet these guidelines will be returned to the requestor and or agency without processing.

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How to Submit a Background Check Form:

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What kind of results can I expect from the background check?

Confirmation of submissions will be visible on your agency dashboard via the CPS Background Check Portal. All results will be received via email to your agency's shared mailbox.

When using the DCF-3031 (CPS Background Check) form:

  • the information disclosed is whether the applicant is or is not on the Central Child Abuse Registry
  • the results of the central child abuse registry status are entered in the designated box on the top of the form, dated and initialed by the background check unit processor.

  • What information may not be disclosed?:
    - The existence of an unsubstantiated allegation of abuse and neglect
    - A substantiated allegation that has been appealed or pending an appeal
    - A substantiated allegation, if timeframe for requesting an appeal has not yet expired
    - A pending open investigation

When using the DCF-3033 (Adoption and Foster Care Background Check) form:

  • all substantiated and unsubstantiated information is disclosed
  • If the applicant is cleared the form is labeled as “NO Record Found,” dated and initialed by the processor in the designated box at the top of the form
  • If there is any information to be disclosed, a letter will be sent with such information.

For Adam Walsh:

  • All applicable history is disclosed
  • If there is no history for the individual, a statement of “No Record Found’ is stamped, dated and initialed onto the letter
  • When there is history, a letter is sent to the requesting agency with detailed information about the findings.

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Who will receive the results of the background check?

All results are sent to the requesting agency's shared email mailbox that was provided to the Department by the agency. If an individual has submitted a self-check, they will receive the results in the same manner in which they submitted their request (mail, fax, or email)

The results are sent directly to the agency and it would be up to such agency to provide the individual a copy of the results.

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Exceptions and Timeframes

Exceptions:

DCF may disclose that a person is on the Central Registry before the time for requesting an appeal has expired or while an appeal is pending if the child abuse or neglect resulted in or involved:

  • The death of a child;
  • The risk of serious physical injury or emotional harm of a child;
  • The serious physical harm of a child;
  • The arrest of the person due to abuse or neglect of a child;
  • A neglect or termination of a parental rights petition has been filed by the Commissioner;
  • Sexual abuse of a child.

Timeframes:

There is NO statutory timeframe established to process a background check.

  • Average timeframe is now under 2 weeks
    • Time frame varies on each individual search

    • During peak seasons, it may take longer than 2 weeks

Adam Walsh background checks are usually completed within 48 hrs.

If after two weeks you do not receive the results of any form(s) you sent in, please use your agency dashboard via the portal to request an update. Additionally, questions can be submitted to email BGC.Verification@ct.gov

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What do I do if a background check is a "fail"?

The employer is required to notify the applicant of the fail and provide the applicant with a copy of the results. The applicant may submit a request for appeal of substantiation /placement of their name on the Central Registry through the online records center.

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Who can I contact with questions?

To contact the Background Check Unit, call 1-800-842-2288 and press option #4

Email: BGC.Verification@ct.gov

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