What qualifications are needed to be an individually-hired PSW?

  1. Age 18 or older and deemed by the guardian or family to be qualified and competent to meet the participant's needs and carry out responsibilities assigned via the support plan.
  2. Have either a name-based or finger-print criminal background check from the Illinois State Police and Health Care Worker Registry check completed. The results of the criminal background must be reported to the state's Financial Intermediary within 30 days of beginning employment.
  3. For individual-hired PSWs that provide services to children under age 18, a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Children's Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) is also required. The CANTS clearance is completed by the Fiscal Intermediary. The results must be obtained prior to the employee's start date.