Which of the following is NOT one of the four critical CCR efforts to protect children in care?

• A. Inspection
• B. Technical assistance
• C. Background checks
• D. Investigations

Answer: (C)

Protecting children in care relies on active oversight activities that involve direct interaction with providers and ongoing monitoring. Inspections verify that facilities meet licensing standards in their everyday operations. Investigations follow up on complaints or serious concerns to determine what happened and what corrective actions are needed. Technical assistance helps providers understand and meet requirements, often preventing issues before they arise. The fourth element typically centers on ongoing monitoring and enforcement to ensure sustained compliance. Background checks, while essential for safeguarding by screening individual staff, occur earlier in the hiring process and are not part of the CCR oversight activities themselves. Therefore, background checks are not one of the four critical CCR efforts.