Crookston home care service fined for delaying background checks

CROOKSTON, Minn. (KFGO-KVRR) A home care service in Crookston is accused of failing to perform timely background checks for employees who have contact with clients. The Minnesota Department of Human Services ordered Independence Plus, Inc. to pay a $600 fine for three background study violations. State officials say background checks on three employees hired between 2011 and 2014 were not conducted until August and September of 2026. The positions allowed unsupervised direct contact with persons served by the program. Independence Plus has the right to an appeal and hearing.