COVID-19 PSW Background Checks

Purpose:

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is committed to protecting individuals with developmental disabilities in Illinois. This communication is intended to provide updated guidance that impacts individuals in the Home Based Support program.

Overarching:

The DDD made a number of temporary changes to assist individuals and agencies in providing services safely during the COVID-19 crisis period through the Appendix K: Emergency Preparedness and Response and COVID-19 Addendum. Most of these changes were rolled back effective July 1, 2020.

Due to COVID-19, there continues to be delays in fingerprint based background checks. As a result, the DDD will allow Personal Support Workers (PSW) to begin working prior to receiving the results of their fingerprint based background check to ensure timely support for individuals with I/DD in the HBS program. While we are making this exception, the Division believes it is best practice to wait until the results of the background check are received. Individuals should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of having a PSW start work prior to receiving results of the background check.

For both Agency-based and individually hired PSWs, the following will apply:

• Effective immediately, PSWs will be able to begin providing services after the completion of getting their fingerprints taken and submitted for their background check, but before the results of the fingerprint check are received.
• Once the fingerprint check results are received, the appropriate action will be taken based on the results.
  • If there are no disqualifying convictions on the background check, the PSW can continue working with the individual.
  • If there are disqualifying convictions on the background check, the PSW should be immediately terminated.

Effective Date:

10/07/2020