Vestavia Hills is now strongly recommending faith-based day care centers undergo background checks for their employees and obtain a license from DHR.
The city is encouraging faith based child care centers to obtain a DHR license and conduct background checks, which is currently not required by Alabama state law.
The day care program at the First Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills is more than thirty years old. Director of Child Development Jennifer Cox says their employees are double checked before they're hired.
"Actually we do background checks on anybody that works with children, whether they be volunteer or a worship teacher," Cox says.
The day care center is church exempt, but they have regulations of their own.
"We have to apply for church exempt status through DHR, we are still inspected by the health and fire department to make sure those codes are up to date and current."
However, some faith based day care centers do not require these regulations. something the city of Vestavia Hills is now strongly encouraging.
"We want the public to be aware that some child care situations are not regulated by any governing body and they're aren't background checks," Executive Director of Childcare Resources, Joan Wright says.
Monday's resolution stems from the January arrest of 74-year old Robert Frost. He was charged with two counts of first degree sexual abuse.
Wright says Monday's vote was a step in the right direction.
"Parents should be asking already are you licensed and what does that mean and are you doing background checks to the staff here."
Wright hopes other municipalities will follow suit, and these requirements soon become Alabama state law.
