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This information was sent out yesterday by DHS to background study account users. It states that the resumption of fingerprint-based studies is delayed until October 21st. Until October 21st individuals requiring a study will receive a covid-19 emergency study.
Not addressed below, and specific to child care enhanced studies for the federal child care block grant, this means that enhanced studies will not resume until after October 21st. The enhanced fingerprint-based background studies for all child care providers are required for Minnesota to receive federal Child Care and Development Block Grant funding. DHS will continue to cover the one-time costs associated with the enhanced child care studies for all child care provider types and affiliated individuals beginning Oct. 21 through March 31, 2021. This will ensure that child care providers and affiliated individuals come into compliance with state and federal enhanced background study requirements. Family child care providers who need an enhanced study should wait to receive a letter or other communication directly from their county licensing agency before taking any action.
The Department of Human Services is delaying the return to conducting fingerprint-based background studies until Oct. 21. They had been scheduled to resume Oct. 7. This decision was made to give providers additional time to prepare for the studies that meet all state and federal requirements, and in particular to provide additional time for long-term care providers to mobilize additional capacity to address the staffing challenges they are experiencing.
DHS temporarily modified certain statutory background study requirements effective April 6, 2020 to assist health and human service providers to quickly respond to changing workforce needs related the COVID-19 pandemic. This is permitted under the Governor’s Executive Order 20-12 and the authority granted to the human services commissioner.
DHS will provide additional information in the near future. Until 6 a.m. Oct. 21, entities should continue to submit emergencies studies. Frequently asked questions about emergency background studies are available on the background studies COVID-19 webpage. The delay does not change the requirements for adoption studies, which were returned to full compliance on July 27, 2020.
Thank you for your understanding and continued work to serve vulnerable Minnesotans during this challenging time.
The delay does not change the requirements for adoption studies, which were returned to full compliance on July 27, 2020.
Thank you for your understanding and continued work to serve vulnerable Minnesotans during this challenging time.
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