Central Registry Change Notice

On November 1, 2022, the laws associated with the Children’s Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry changed. As a result of these changes, the Division of Child Welfare Licensing (DCWL) must now run a CPS background clearance to determine if a current or prospective
employee of a child care organization has a confirmed case regarding the abuse or neglect of a child. This includes cases that may have resulted in the employee’s name being listed on the Central Registry, as well as prior substantiated investigations that may not have risen to the level of Central Registry placement.

All child placing agencies and child caring institutions must now submit requests for CPS background checks to DCWL prior to hire.
Requests to DCWL must be submitted on a CWL-4624 form.

All CPS background check requests must be submitted electronically to MDHHS-CPSBackgroundChecks@michigan.gov.  Clearances will be processed within five business days.

If a prospective employee has a confirmed case involving abuse or neglect of a child, DCWL will conduct an administrative review of the prospective employee’s CPS background.

Upon learning that the employee has a confirmed case for abuse or neglect of a child, whether through a CPS-MIC investigation, or a CPS investigation involving the employee’s own children, the agency must submit a CWL 4624 form to DCWL. The agency should email the
completed form to MDHHS-CPSBackgroundChecks@michigan.gov and note in the email that the form is for an active employee with a newly confirmed case for child abuse or neglect.

If an active employee has a confirmed case involving abuse or neglect of a child, DCWL will conduct an administrative review of the employee’s CPS background. Active employees with a confirmed case of abuse or neglect must be placed on administrative
leave while the case review is pending.