These data measure two things:
- How available were fingerprint services in Washington State, during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- How many background checks, initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, remain incomplete without fingerprints (without any analysis of criminal history outside Washington State)?
Fingerprint bookings and vacancies
Open the excel file and select a vendor from the drop down menu. A chart will populate, specific to that location. By referring to the x axis at the bottom of the graph, you can see when that site was available and compare total available slots with total slots reserved.
Fingerprint service availability raw data
As of 1/26/2023
Incomplete fingerprints for Foster, Adoption, Reunification – 4,989
As of 2/27/2023
Source: DSHS Public Disclosure reporting on BCS account
Note: This total represents incomplete fingerprints for caregiver background checks. It does not represent approved caregivers without fingerprints. Only DCYF can disaggregate these data to clarify that.
Incomplete fingerprints for Emergency Placement – 1,991
As of 4/27/2023
Data source: Public Disclosure reporting on BCS account
Note: This total represents incomplete fingerprints for caregiver background checks. It does not represent approved caregivers without fingerprints. Only DCYF can disaggregate these data to clarify that.
Incomplete fingerprints for Group Home Providers – 432
As of 4/27/2023
Data source: DSHS Public Disclosure reporting on BCS account
This total represents incomplete fingerprints for caregiver background checks. It does not represent approved caregivers without fingerprints. Only DCYF can disaggregate these data to clarify that.
Incomplete fingerprints for Child Care Providers – Unknown
As of 5/17/2023
Data source: Background Check Program Admnistrator via DCYF Public disclosure, reporting on MERIT account
DCYF reports this number as zero, explaining they archived incomplete background checks without checking to see if staff were hired or still employed. Therefore, In the Background reports this number as Unknown.
DCYF reports “There is no interim or provisional process in EL like there is in CW”. Multiple sources corroborate there was such a process during the pandemic and the legislature considered such a process after the pandemic. Therefore, In the Background interprets this to mean there is no such process currently in effect. The public should monitor this for change.
In the Background 