Department of Children and Families

This is a state performance audit of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families covering July 1, 2010 through September 30, 2012.

“This report details the audit objectives, scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations for the audit period, July 1, 2010 through September 30, 2012.”

Auditors reviewed whether DCF was doing required safety and administrative checks, including medical exams, background checks, protection of personal information, and use of sex offender registry information.

“The objectives of our audit were to determine (1) whether DCF was ensuring that all of the required medical screenings and examinations of children placed in its care were being conducted, (2) whether DCF was conducting the required Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks on its employees, (3) whether DCF was ensuring that all of its service providers had the required background record checks (BRCs), (4) whether DCF was complying with applicable laws and regulations when granting waivers to individuals who have criminal records to allow them to participate in foster care, (5) whether DCF was properly safeguarding and disposing of documents such as client records that contain personally identifiable information (PII), and (6) whether DCF was using information available from the state’s Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) to further ensure the safety of children placed in its custody.”

The issues matter because children in state custody may have had health problems, trauma, or injuries that were not found quickly enough.

“The effect of this is that DCF’s management cannot effectively ensure that children in DCF custody are not continuing to suffer from undetected health issues, trauma, and injury from abuse and neglect.”

For an ordinary resident, the report is about whether a state agency responsible for vulnerable children is doing basic safety checks and protecting sensitive records.

“According to its website, DCF “is charged with protecting children from abuse and neglect and strengthening families.””

The auditor said DCF had not proved that required medical checks and background checks were consistently done, and also found weaknesses in privacy safeguards and internal controls.

“DCF does not have adequate documentation to substantiate that it has conducted all required BRCs on individuals living in some of its foster homes.”

DCF said it was working on fixes, including better access to sex offender registry data and steps to address delayed child medical screenings and exams.

“These officials also stated that they are taking measures to address the issue of the untimely child medical screenings and examinations.”

The report points to risks in core child-safety systems, including cases where addresses of children receiving DCF care matched addresses of registered Level 2 or Level 3 sex offenders.

“Our analysis identified 25 instances in which the addresses of Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders matched addresses of children receiving DCF care.”

CORI means criminal record checks, BRC means background record checks, PII means personally identifiable information, and SORB means the Sex Offender Registry Board.

“The objectives of our audit were to determine (1) whether DCF was ensuring that all of the required medical screenings and examinations of children placed in its care were being conducted, (2) whether DCF was conducting the required Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks on its employees, (3) whether DCF was ensuring that all of its service providers had the required background record checks (BRCs), (4) whether DCF was complying with applicable laws and regulations when granting waivers to individuals who have criminal records to allow them to participate in foster care, (5) whether DCF was properly safeguarding and disposing of documents such as client records that contain personally identifiable information (PII), and (6) whether DCF was using information available from the state’s Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) to further ensure the safety of children placed in its custody.”