DCYF does background checks to help safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of children in out of home care. By doing background checks, the department reduces the risk of harm to children from individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes. The department's regulations require the evaluation of your background to determine your character, suitability, and competence before you are issued a license, contract, certificate, authorization to be employed at a group care facility, or authorization to have unsupervised access to children.