What is TrustLine?

TrustLine was created by the California Legislature in 1987 and is a powerful resource for parents hiring a nanny or babysitter. TrustLine is California’s registry of in-home child care providers who have passed a background screening. All caregivers listed with TrustLine have been cleared through a fingerprint check of records at the California Department of Justice. This means they have no disqualifying criminal convictions or substantiated child abuse reports in California.

Administration

TrustLine is a child protection program of the State of California and the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network. The California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Justice assist in managing and distributing the information.

Program Highlights
TrustLine is the only child care registry in California with access to the most up-to-date and detailed databases at the California Department of Justice and the FBI

TrustLine is effective. Its database, which is updated continuously, screens out individuals who have been convicted of murder, manslaughter, child molestation, assault with a deadly weapon, willful child cruelty and other crimes. Thousands of individuals with criminal records have been denied a listing on the registry.

All employment agencies are required by law to register their caregivers with TrustLine upon placement. Parents should call TrustLine to make sure the employment agency has registered their caregiver with TrustLine.

Easy to Use

Parents can check if a provider is listed on TrustLine by calling 1-800-822-8490 and giving the provider’s full name, driver’s license number or other approved identification.

Easy to Register

Child care providers complete an application from TrustLine and send it to the California Department of Social Services along with a set of fingerprints (used to check Department of Justice and FBI records) and appropriate fees. If there are no disqualifying California or FBI criminal convictions of substantiated child abuse reports, the provider’s name is added to the registry.

Information

The general public can receive more information about TrustLine by calling 800-822-8490 or logging on at www.trustline.org.