Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Since 2018, DHS has required Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) background checks for employees of facilities or programs licensed, contracted, or regulated by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide community-based services to individuals with developmental disabilities.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 30:6D-77 et seq., provider agencies must ensure that no employee is included on the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) child abuse registry.
Requirements
- All new employees’ completed CARI applications must be submitted to DCF within 10 days of hire.
- No prospective community agency employee who refuses to consent to or cooperate with a child abuse registry check can be considered for employment.
- Any current employee required to undergo a child abuse registry check who refuses to consent or cooperate must be immediately removed from their position and terminated.
- Agencies must act upon the results of a positive CARI check within 24 hours of receiving notice from DHS by email.
- If the results include notice of appeal rights, the employee must appeal directly to DCF.
- Contact Us with additional questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The application requests information about the employee, their children, and their current and previous addresses. Employees should provide all requested information in the secure online system. More complete information produces more accurate results.
The process can take from 10 days to one year in some cases.
In most cases, if a record is found, the employee has already exhausted appeal rights. If not, they may contact DCF directly to appeal. Appeal proceedings are between the employee and DCF—neither DHS nor the provider agency will be notified.
Yes. The employee must be terminated within 24 hours of notification by DHS. DHS ECCU will require confirmation that termination occurred.
Yes. All employees, including the executive director, owner, and those who do not provide direct care, must have a CARI check.
