Background checks for California care centers outdated by decades

A recent audit of California care facilities revealed more than 1,000 registered sex offenders are currently employed by the companies, the Sacramento Bee reports. The audit, conducted this past summer by state auditor Elaine Howle, also noted that around 600 of those named in the report were considered "high-risk." "This report concludes that California can and must provide these children better protection and support," Howle said, as quoted by the news source. Bill Grimm, senior attorney at the National Center for Youth Law in Oakland, found it even more disturbing that the auditor - and not Social Services - turned up the shocking information. "We can draw the conclusion that child abuse investigations are not being done in some cases with professional standards," he said, as quoted by the newspaper. Social Services had recommended that cross checks of employees be conducted in 2008, KPCC-FM reports. However, it's clear that many facilities haven't followed through. The Bee adds that at least 36 individuals have been fired from their respective facilities since Social Services began investigations in July. Legal action against eight different homes has also been taken.