Hiring care givers without conducting background checks has long been a subject of controversy. Part of the controversial is over how many staffing agencies either fail to conduct background checks on their prospective employees or they run such shoddy background checks that many care givers and healthcare workers with criminal convictions slip through the cracks. These are care givers that have serious substance abuse issues, have been sexual offenders, or have committed everything from petty theft to violent crime. Some have mistreated their younger charges, and some have mistreated the elderly.
I have written on this subject before and have cited the joint Pro Publica Los Angeles Times Report that detailed the shoddy practices involved with hiring healthcare workers and care givers. One such article I wrote was entitled, Residential Care Workers Slip Through Background Checks. Part of that article was based on the Pro Publica/LA Times Report that won the Pulitzer Prize this year. Among other things, the article described how healthcare workers and care givers with criminal records and disciplinary actions against them avoid detection by flitting about from state to state. When staffing agencies or state and public service agencies fail to conduct the appropriate background checks then these health care employees are free to repeat the same misdeed.
According to the Mercury News.com, Napa County, California had ordered that all care givers must undergo background checks. The new law applies to privately hired care givers as well as those in service with the public agencies. There are a few exemptions, including those care givers already registered with Napa’s in-home care services.
The new ordinance goes a long way in protecting elderly citizens who live within Napa County from predatory care givers who can rob and otherwise abuse them. A smart move and a true demonstration that Napa County is determined to protect its older and frailer citizens.
