Maryland Schools Scrutinized Over Expired Background Checks; DC Foster Children Receive Dignity Boost
Montgomery County, MD & Washington, D.C. – August 22, 2025 – Two significant stories are unfolding today, one raising concerns about student safety in Maryland and the other offering a beacon of hope for vulnerable children in the nation’s capital. A newly released Inspector General’s report has revealed a substantial backlog of expired background checks for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff, while Washington, D.C. is celebrating the success of a campaign to replace garbage bags with duffel bags for children entering the foster care system. This is a breaking news development with implications for school security and child welfare nationwide.
Montgomery County Schools Address Background Check Concerns
Montgomery County Public Schools, the largest school district in Maryland, is scrambling to address a critical issue: nearly half of its 30,000 faculty and staff – approximately 13,000 individuals – have expired background checks. The Inspector General’s report, released August 4th, highlighted that around 5,000 of these individuals may have had contact with children without the benefit of current child protection service screenings. Principal Thomas Taylor initially questioned the report’s methodology but has since expressed gratitude to Inspector General Megan David Limalzi for bringing the matter to light.
While all employees have been fingerprinted, participation in the ongoing “RapBack” background check program – a continuous monitoring system – isn’t universal. MCPS is now implementing a plan to update background checks for employees onboarded before 2019, a process expected to take months. The district is also introducing a visual indicator of approval: employee badges will now be oriented vertically to signify a current, cleared background check. Five mobile teams will begin reviewing records on a case-by-case basis starting Monday, with a phased rollout continuing through the first weeks of the school year.
Evergreen Context: Background checks for school personnel are a cornerstone of student safety. The RapBack system, utilizing FBI fingerprint databases, provides a crucial layer of ongoing monitoring, alerting schools to any new criminal activity. However, maintaining these checks requires consistent funding and administrative effort. The MCPS situation underscores the importance of proactive compliance and robust systems to ensure the safety of our children. For parents concerned about school safety protocols, contacting your local school district and advocating for comprehensive background check policies is vital. This situation also highlights the need for SEO optimization of school district websites to provide clear information on safety measures.
D.C. Foster Children Receive a Symbol of Dignity
In a profoundly moving development, the Washington, D.C. Children and Family Services Agency, in partnership with Children and Family Partners Organization, has launched the “Dignity Package” campaign. This initiative provides new duffle bags to foster teenagers, replacing the heartbreaking practice of using garbage bags to transport their belongings. The campaign is a direct result of the 2024 Foster Youth Baggage Amendment – affectionately known as the Lisa Act.
The Lisa Act is named after Cohen, a 56-year-old naval veteran, world boxing champion, and soon-to-be grandmother, who experienced the foster care system firsthand, enduring 13 placements and carrying her possessions in garbage bags. Inspired by her own experiences and her background as a social worker, Cohen initially raised $10,000 to purchase 100 Samsonite duffel bags. Her story is a testament to resilience and the power of advocacy.
The “Dignity Package” aims to collect 1,100 duffel bags (two per child) along with clothing and toiletries for 560 foster children and 1,000 children in home care. Thanks to generous donations, including a significant contribution from DC United, over 2,142 duffel bags have already been collected with just 16 days remaining in the campaign. “I am very grateful,” Cohen shared, deeply moved by the outpouring of support.
Evergreen Context: The Lisa Act and the “Dignity Package” campaign represent a growing awareness of the emotional needs of children in foster care. Providing basic necessities like duffel bags may seem small, but it sends a powerful message of respect and self-worth. Supporting foster care organizations, volunteering time, or becoming a foster parent are all ways to make a tangible difference in the lives of these vulnerable children. This story is a prime example of how local initiatives can address systemic issues and create positive change. For those interested in learning more about foster care and adoption, resources are readily available through the Child Welfare Information Gateway (https://www.childwelfare.gov/).
These two stories, though vastly different in scope, underscore the importance of vigilance in protecting children and the power of compassion to uplift those in need. As MCPS works to ensure the safety of its students and D.C. continues to provide dignity to its foster youth, these developments serve as a reminder of the ongoing commitment required to build a brighter future for all children. Stay tuned to Archyde.com for further updates on these and other Google News-worthy stories.
