Florida Looking Into Felon Caregivers

By: kq4ym
Posted: Oct 21, 2009 at 5:33
Category: Recent Topics
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Florida To Keep Criminals Out Of Care Facilities?

Concerns Over Caregiver Felons In Facilities Spark Review

CLEWISTON, FL. — Florids Governor Charlie Crist has announced he will convene select state agencies charged with reviewing legal requirements for screening individuals who have criminal histories and work in facilities that provide care to children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. The group’s findings will be presented to the Governor by November 2, 2009.

A recent investigation has shown many Florida counties have group homes and childcare facilities with convicted felons working at them.

”When it comes to the safety and security of Florida’s vulnerable populations, we must make every effort to ensure that their professional caregivers do not have criminal histories,” Governor Crist said. “I want to thank the members of the media, and especially the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, for examining the current practice of background screening to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable individuals.”

Currently, certain employees of child day care centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other residential care settings must pass a criminal background check as a hiring requirement, and those with criminal histories can receive exemptions allowing them to work, apparently after little review by the state agencies.

The agencies will review the use of criminal background checks, the process for granting exemptions, and the process that allows employees to begin working before background checks are completed. The group’s findings will be presented to Governor Crist to improve the safety of Florida’s children and vulnerable adults by using available technology to streamline procedures and revisiting the process of granting exemptions.

The following state agencies will participate:

·         Agency for Health Care Administration
·         Agency for Persons with Disabilities
·         Florida Department of Children and Families
·         Florida Department of Education
·         Florida Department of Elder Affairs
·         Florida Department of Health
·         Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
·         Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Upon learning of the recent news reports, Governor Crist ordered a complete review of current background-screening policies. At the Governor’s direction, Deputy Chief of Staff Dave Foy first met with agency representatives on August 21 to begin gathering information, which has continued during the past two months. The agencies will meet with the Governor’s office staff to work out details in resolving issues surrounding the hiring of convicted felons in the state’s homes for the disabled, elderly, and day care facilities.

Previous Story On Hendry’s Caregiver’s Criminal Histories – http://swflorida.blogspot.com/2009/09/felons-caring-for-hendrys-children-and.html