Michigan State University unveils background check system for long term care workers
The first phase of a statewide background check system developed byMSU will go live April 1, allowing employers to better screen potentialemployees who work with patients in long-term care settings.
Last year, the state received a grant from the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services for $5 million – with $4.1 million going toMSU – to develop and study a three-phase comprehensive system toimprove background checks in facilities such as nursing homes, hospicesand assisted living centers.
Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm recently signed legislation she called forlast year to strengthen criminal background checks in long-term caresettings. This legislation is one of the requirements in the funding toMichigan as a pilot state to develop and study improvements to thesystem. The state needed laws requiring background checks on thoseproviding direct care to individuals receiving long-term care.
“We must do all that we can to protect our state’s most vulnerablecitizens in long-term care facilities,” Granholm said. “I am gratefulto the efforts of Michigan State University in developing a backgroundcheck system to ensure that people who shouldn’t have access to ourloved ones don’t.”