Tribal Health Programs: Concerns About Background Verifications for Staff Working With Indian Children

Past and ongoing audits found that Tribal health programs that received Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act funds from the Indian Health Service (IHS) were not conducting required Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint background checks for all employees, contractors, and volunteers who have regular contact with Indian children. This creates an increased risk that an individual with a disqualifying criminal history in a different State could be hired into a position with regular contact with Indian children.

This vulnerability warrants IHS's immediate attention because it may compromise the safety and well-being of Indian children who receive treatment at Tribal health programs funded by IHS.