INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana child welfare officials are launching an online portal making it easier to conduct background checks on those who work with children.

The Department of Child Services said Thursday that the portal will go live next week.

Officials say it will shorten the time needed to screen people such as teachers or volunteers who request to work with children. They say it will cut what is now a 21-day process down to 10 days.

It includes a criminal background search, a check of sex offender records and a review of previous DCS cases to see if there are any allegations of abuse or neglect.

DCS has been under scrutiny since former Director Mary Beth Bonaventura resigned in last December, warning about service cuts.