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The Department of Human Services recognizes that the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases is causing significant staffing challenges for numerous providers across Minnesota. As a result, DHS will be returning to emergency background studies and temporarily modifying certain statutory requirements.
Since the return to fingerprint-based studies on Oct. 21, 2020, many applicants have been unable to complete studies due to limited access to fingerprinting sites, which are at 65% capacity statewide with permanent closures at some locations.
The temporary modifications will assist health and human service providers to rapidly respond to changing workforce needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The modifications are permitted under the Governor’s Executive Order 20-12 and the authority granted to the human services commissioner. They temporarily suspend the fingerprint and photograph background study requirement, except for adoptions, guardians and conservators, and tribal foster care; and waive the requirement to supervise individuals who provide direct contact services while the emergency background study is in process. DHS retains the authority to order supervision when required based on case-by-case decisions.
These changes limit required maltreatment checks to Minnesota registries and databases by waiving required Child Abuse and Neglect Registry (CANR) checks for some providers except for foster care, adoption, legal guardianship, and children’s residential facilities. They also institute a flat $20 fee for all DHS statutory background study applications, except for foster care, adoption, legal guardianship and children’s residential facilities.
Effective date and instructions
The changes are effective at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020. Instructions with the steps and information entities need to submit an emergency background study are available on NETStudy 2. Frequently asked questions about emergency background studies are also available on the background studies COVID-19 webpage.
Thank you for your flexibility as we continue to adapt background studies to respond to and best serve vulnerable Minnesotans during this challenging time.
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