Amid a statewide labor shortage, lawmakers are looking at ways to lower a key entry barrier for child care workers.
The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing last week for LR191, which calls for an interim study into the statutorily required fingerprint-based background checks for child care workers. State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, who introduced the resolution, said the process poses a serious threat to an already struggling industry.
Lawmakers established the fingerprinting requirement through two bills in 2019 and 2020 in order to put Nebraska in compliance of the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act. Since then, some providers have said delays in the process have held up new and existing workers, and have even cost some businesses qualified applicants.
Most of the child care workers who testified at the hearing agreed with fingerprint background checks as a concept, but said the current process is unnecessarily cumbersome. Leslie Baker with Fits and Giggles Daycare in Norfolk said the turnover rate in the child care industry is already high.
“We cannot afford to lose anyone who wants to work in child care to a job in another industry, just because they are seeking immediate employment,†Baker said at the hearing on Wednesday.
Fingerprinting is done at Nebraska State Patrol offices, which already poses a challenge for some applicants who live far away. Baker said some applicants have had to travel over 100 miles for this purpose.
A bigger problem, however, is the delays both in setting appointments for taking the fingerprints, and the waiting period for them to be processed. Mitchell Clark, policy adviser for First Five Nebraska, said this part of the process should take between seven to 10 days, but Nebraska’s average in 2022 was 25 days.
Theresa Thibodeau, CEO of the Heartland Independent Business Association, said she heard from an owner of a child care establishment who waited roughly six months for her fingerprints to be processed, which put her at risk of losing her license.
Kelsey Remmers, a manager with the patrol’s criminal identification division, said the average timeline for conducting background checks on child care workers before submitting the results to the Department of Health and Human Services was eight business days. After altering the process slightly in August, she said the patrol was able to reduce its average to roughly five business days.
This left committee members questioning the discrepancy between the patrol’s timeline for the background checks and the delays that child care workers experience. Remmers said she wasn’t sure of the reason because the patrol only is one piece of the process.
“We’re kind of the middle man of the process,†Remmers said.
Lawmakers passed legislation this year adding two patrol staff to work on processing fingerprints, although those staff weren’t designated specifically for handling fingerprints of child care workers. Charity Menefee, director of DHHS’ division of public health, said her department has nearly doubled its staff for processing applications, from five to nine employees, although two of those positions remain unfilled.
“We understand and acknowledge that this is a complicated process, and are exploring every opportunity we can to identify and simplify the steps while ensuring we meet federal and state requirements,†Menefee said.
Tami Soper, youth care policy advocate for Boys Town, suggested several ways the state could improve this process. She said DHHS and the state’s licensure office follow different timelines for processing background checks and noted it would be more efficient if they consolidated their efforts.
Soper also suggested officials make fingerprinting available at service area sites for state departments to reduce travel times for workers who live far away from a patrol office. In addition, she suggested that Nebraska could return to a process taken up during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed child care workers to work provisionally while their background checks were being evaluated.
Top Journal Star photos for October 2023
(From left) Aksel Bartles, 5, his sister Rexa, 2, and mother Missy trick or treat during the Boo at the Zoo event at the Lincoln Children's Zoo, on Oct. 26, 2023.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Lincoln Pius X players react after Keeleigh Knobbe (7) scores match pointÌýof the A-7 district championship against Papillion-La VistaÌýÌýon Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, at Pius X High School.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Sara Madsen and her husband, Brady Clark, shoot pool at Madsen's Bowling & Billiards on Wednesday. Sara Madsen has taken over management Madsen's Bowling & Billiards from her cousin Benjamin Madsen.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
St. Teresa Catholic School second-grade student Nicholas Bauman makes a field goal attempt from the hold of University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomore Tyler Aldredge during Memorial Stadium birthday party on Monday. The stadium celebrates its 100th anniversary this season.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nebraska's Laney Choboy makes a diving save in the fifth set at the Devaney Sports Center, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska players celebrate the victory against Wisconsin on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Laney Choboy (right) went to the ground and slapped the floor.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Northwestern's Garnett Hollis, Jr. successfully defends a throw intended for Nebraska's Jaidyn Doss in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Northwestern’s Devin Turner (9) intercepts a pass intended for Nebraska's Thomas Fidone (24) on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 during a match at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Nebraska was up 10-6 going into the half.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE Journal Star
Halyna Chekushkina (from Ukraine) serves traditional Ukrainian food to guests during an appreciation dinner on Friday hosted by House of Prayer in Lincoln. Chekushkina, a member at House of Prayer, immigrated to Lincoln from Ukraine three years ago.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast's band members return to the bleachers before a high school football game against South Sioux City, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at Union Bank Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Lincoln East players stand for the pledge of allegiance before taking on Gretna at Seacrest Field, on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Jaye-Lynne Meyer of Plattsmouth browses a selection of native plants on Friday during a plant sale at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA) Greenhouse on the UNL East Campus. All proceeds from sales go towardÌýfunding statewide arboretum programs.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Lincoln East's Mallorie Meyer (right) celebrates after a kill by her teammates in the second set during the HAC tournament championship match at Lincoln Southeast High School, on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Traffic flows steadily east along K street as the sun sets behind the Nebraska State Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Norris' Alivia Hausmann reaches out as she attempts to save the ball in the third set at Lincoln Lutheran High School, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Hastings' Moritz Kaufmann falls to his knees as he celebrates winning the Class B No. 2 singles title Tuesday at Woods Tennis Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln Christian's Andrew Penrod celebrates after he and partnerÌýBenjamin Mooss won the Class B No. 2 doubles state title Tuesday at Woods Tennis Center.Ìý
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska players stand ready as the starting lineup is announced before taking on Penn State at the Devaney Sports Center, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska's Laney Choboy celebrates after a point in the second set at the Devaney Sports Center, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln East's Hunter Nelson returns the ball in the No. 1 singles championship match at the Class A state tennis tournament, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at the Woods Tennis Center.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Nebraska's Bekka Allick hits the ball as Michigan State's Julia Bishop attempts to block it during a match in October at the Devaney Sports Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Lexi Rodriguez dives for the ball against Michigan State in the first setÌýon Friday at the Devaney Sports Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Ashland-Greenwood’s senior centerfielder Bree Schefdore (11, center) and junior second-base Joslyn Sargent (9) wait out a tornado warning with several other teams in a warehouse on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 during the state softball championships at Bill Smith Softball Complex in Hastings.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE Journal Star
Kearney's Maddox Miller (10) runs the ball while pursued by Lincoln Northeast's Trystin Mahoney (16) Devin Fenster (84) and Jacian Brown during the first quarter at Seacrest Field, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Beatrice's Delanie Roeder attempts to make a diving catch at the center field fence during the sixth inning at Bill Smith Softball Complex, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Hastings.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Waverly's Olivia Grube celebrates after scoring in the first inning at Bill Smith Softball Complex, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Hastings.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Pius X's ´¡²ú²ú¾±²µ²¹¾±±ôÌý Just (first left) looks back teammate Tatum HeimesÌýas she and her teammates interlock pinky fingers during the national anthem at at Bill Smith Softball Complex, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Hastings.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest's Hadley Madson (first left) celebrates with her teammates after hitting a two-run home run against Lincoln EastÌýduring the Class A state softball tournament Wednesday in Hastings.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Waverly's Hallie Lauenstein lays out to save the ball from hitting the ground against Omaha Duchesne on Tuesday in Waverly.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln East golfers celebrate after winning their first-ever Class A girls golf team title on Tuesday at Riverside Golf Club in Grand Island.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Lily Golden, who turned 5 on Monday, plays on a ropes course at Roca Berry Farm. The farm features a number of tourist attractions available to guests throughout the fall season.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Lincoln activist Renee Sans Souci (from left), Steve Laravie Jr., executive director of the Indian Center, Kylesse Walker of Omaha and University of Nebraska-Lincoln students Sophie James and Anastasia Pitts hold hands and dance as they gather in front of the Nebraska state Capitol to honor Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nebraska’s pitcher Jordy Bahl (98) reacts to her strikeout to end the final inningÌý against Creighton on Sunday at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln. Nebraska won the match, 12-4.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE Journal Star
Nebraska’s Reese Borer (8, left) celebrates her goal against Iowa with teammate Abbey Schwarz on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Hibner Stadium. Nebraska won the match 4-2.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE Journal Star
Illinois' Nicario Harper (0) brings down Nebraska's Anthony Grant (23) with in the third quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska fans celebrate with Ethan Nation (28) after the game against Illinois on Friday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska players walk out of the visitors' tunnel before taking on Illinois on Friday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Phalen Sanford (37) and Chief Borders (14) celebrate with Grant Tagge (56) after he comes up with the ball following a fumble on a kickoff to Illinois during the second quarter on Friday in Champaign, Ill.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
College View Barbers' Gary Francisco cuts the hair of longtime customer John Gustafson on Friday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest softball players celebrate after winning the A-5 district championship against Lincoln North Star on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, at Doris Bair Complex.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Claire Cude, a kindergartner at Fairbury Public Schools, laughs as she feeds lettuce to a giraffe on Wednesday during Sensory Safari at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Lincoln Pius X's Kami Wemhoff is late for the dig against Fremont in the first set, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Lincoln High School student Alexianna Lathan, 14, walks home from school on Monday. wearing a dinosaur onesie. “It’s pajama day,†she said, part of Lincoln High's homecoming week that culminates Friday with the Links' football game against Lincoln East at 4:30 p.m. at Seacrest Field, followed by the homecoming dance that night.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE Journal Star
Alex Lee, 9, holds a sign on the steps of the state Capitol on Sunday during a trans-rights rally. Beside him sits his brother, 4, whose parents requested not be named. “For the past few years, we’ve been advocating for trans kids’ rights,†said Alex’s mother, Jennifer Lee. “Alex wanted to share his story because a lot of kids don’t have both of their parents supporting them,†Jennifer said. “Most people assume it’s ‘woke’ moms with green hair making their kids be trans, and that’s not what’s going on. You can either support your trans kid or you can bury them,†she said.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
University of Nebraska-Lincoln students Abby Steffen (center) and Gina Gage (right) laugh as they stand together under a red and white tarp over the student fan section before the match against Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE Journal Star
Michigan's Kalel Mullings carries the ball against Nebraska in the fourth quarter, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule wipes his head as he watches the action against Michigan.Ìý
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Marcus Washington fends off Michigan's Josh Wallace as he returns the ball in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium, on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska's Javin Wright (right) walks off the field following the Huskers loss to Michigan at Memorial Stadium, on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. The Huskers lost to Michigan, 45-7.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska's Billy Kemp (1) is brought down by Michigan's Josaiah Stewart (5) during the game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE Journal Star
Michigan's Roman Wilson (left) scores a touchdown by pinning the ball on Nebraska's Isaac Gifford's helmet in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
York native Hunter Hadenfeldt, 11, plays games on a phone in the back of a car at a tailgate lot underneath the Highway 34 bridge outside of Memorial Stadium, on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Auburn’s Nixon Ligouri (8) scores a touchdown against Lincoln ChristianÌýon Friday at Lincoln Christian.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast's Kadin Logan is brought down on a run by Lincoln Southwest's Landon McDaniel in the second quarter Friday at Seacrest Field.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest parent Tiffany Kafka (right) helps the runners cool down, including her daughter Mya Kafka (266) and teammate Silvy Munn during Lincoln Public Schools Championship, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Pioneers Park.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Vincent “Big Red†Foster hoists the hand of his new bride, Teresa Taylor, on Friday during their wedding at SPORTS FANtastic on Havelock Avenue.Ìý
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
A pass intended for Lincoln East's Noah Burhoop is broken up by Millard South's Javonte Walker in the third quarter at Seacrest Field, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
The stands that rise above Seacrest field are reflected in the helmet visor of Lincoln East's Luke Lindquist, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
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