Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office has issued a warning about serious issues within the state Department of Early Education and Care that put children at risk. The audit, covering Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2022, highlighted concerns about the department’s handling of reports of suspected abuse and neglect, high-risk complaints, licensing visits, and more.
The audit found that in two cases, internal investigations were performed by the programs where the abuse occurred, rather than EEC investigations, compromising the seriousness of the cases. Furthermore, high-risk investigations were compromised by assigning licensors instead of EEC investigators, potentially putting children at risk. Other issues included lack of timely licensing visits, insufficient training on identifying signs of abduction and human trafficking, and employees missing required background checks.
DiZoglio emphasized the urgent need for addressing these concerns to protect children. The EEC has responded by stating that significant progress has been made since the audit period, including improvements to regulations, background check processes, language access, and diversity initiatives. The department is committed to addressing the concerns raised in the audit.
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