New York Shredgate Goes Electronic

Hold on a minute...this sounds efficient.


Implementation of an online reporting system means there are now electronic records and parents and guardians accused of child abuse are now able to immediately request the records to find out if they are on the central registry.

Online Statewide Central Register Clearance System

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services has implemented a Web-based application, the “Online Clearance System,” that supports the mandate under Section 424-a of the Social Services Law for legally authorized agencies to inquire of the Statewide Central Register (SCR) as to the existence of any indicated reports of child abuse and maltreatment against an applicant prior to employment, certification, or licensure in the child care field. The “Online Clearance System” allows designated authorized users access to electronically submit Database Check requests to the SCR, thereby replacing the mailing of the paper LDSS-3370 form. SCR responses are delivered to the agency electronically so as to further reduce the overall processing time. To receive a registration packet or obtain more information, you may contact your licensing agency or call the SCR at 518-474-1567.

Your name is probably on the registry and you would never know.  If you are found to be on the registry, make them remove it.  This is why I consider this to be an efficient system.  If your name is on the registry, in theory, it should only be a click and you are removed but 5 will get you 10 that there are no policies in effect to establish protocol for the keeper of the record to expunge.


I like the idea of this database as it is a great tool for State Medicaid Fraud Control Units and Inspector Generals to identify and verify Medicaid fraud in child welfare.  Electronic record maintenance is hitting the big screen in child welfare and I can also place another wager that after the Administrators read this, they will be holding fear conferences to figure out how to get around this unexpected manifestation of transparency.


Simply put, New York is putting its dirty laundry on the front law for private attorneys to do their thang.

In light of the New York "Shredgate" scandal, I am creating a public awareness campaign to encourage all parents and guardians of the State of New York to go and request clearance checks of the Central Registry to crash the database.

New York denied thousands accused of child abuse the chance to clear their name

New York Office of Children and Family Serices's Shredgate