A DCPP case can affect employment because certain findings are entered into state and federal background check systems used by employers in child care, health care, education, and other regulated fields. A substantiated finding of abuse or neglect can appear on a background check and may limit or disqualify a person from certain jobs. An unfounded or dismissed case generally does not carry the same lasting effect, though you may still need to go through a process to clear your name entirely.
What Is a DCPP Case and How Does It Begin?
The Division of Child Protection and Permanency, known as “DCPP,” investigates reports of suspected child abuse or neglect in New Jersey. A case usually starts after a call to the state hotline from a teacher, doctor, neighbor, or family member. Families in Cherry Hill fall under the Camden Central and Camden North local offices, both based at 55 Haddonfield Road in Cherry Hill, so many local investigations are handled close to home. At the end of the investigation, DCPP issues one of four findings:
- Substantiated
- Established
- Not established
- Unfounded
Only a “substantiated” or “established” finding typically follows a person into future employment or background checks.
Can a DCPP Investigation Show Up on a Background Check?
Not every investigation appears on a background check. Only findings that meet a certain threshold, generally substantiated or established, are entered into the New Jersey Child Abuse Record Information system, often called “CARI.” Employers in fields that involve direct contact with children are required by law to run a CARI check on employees and volunteers, including:
- Public and private schools
- Day care and child care centers
- Youth sports and after-school programs
- Foster care and adoption agencies
A record in this system can result in a denied position or termination from a current job, even if criminal charges were never filed.
How Do DCPP Findings Affect Job Applications?
Job applications in regulated industries typically ask whether an applicant has ever been the subject of a substantiated child abuse or neglect finding. Answering this question honestly matters, since employers can verify the answer through official databases. A substantiated finding can disqualify an applicant from working in schools, health care facilities, foster care agencies, and similar settings. Beyond regulated fields, a DCPP record does not automatically appear on a standard criminal background check, since DCPP findings are civil, not criminal, in nature. This distinction matters for people applying to jobs outside of child-focused industries.
Does an Unfounded DCPP Case Affect Employment?
An “unfounded case,” meaning DCPP did not find enough evidence to support the allegation, generally does not appear on CARI checks and should not follow a person into future employment. New Jersey law requires DCPP to expunge unfounded records from its files after a set period, though the exact timeline depends on the circumstances of the case. Parents who receive an unfounded finding should confirm that the record has been properly removed, since clerical delays sometimes occur. A finding of “not established” falls in a middle category and may still require review to confirm it will not affect future background checks.
What Can Parents Do to Protect Their Employment Record?
Parents facing a DCPP investigation have the right to respond to the findings and, in many cases, appeal a substantiated or established result. An appeal can be filed with the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law, and a successful appeal can change the finding and remove it from CARI. According to the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, parents are notified in writing of a finding and given information on how to challenge it. Parents may request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge.
Contact an Experienced New Jersey DCPP Lawyer at the Law Offices of Theodore J. Baker for Help With Your DCPP Case
A New Jersey DCPP lawyer at the Law Offices of Theodore J. Baker understands how a DCPP case can affect employment and background checks, and the firm is ready to help protect your record and your future. If DCPP has contacted you about a report or investigation, contact our office today. For an initial consultation, call 856-210-9776 or contact us online. Located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.