WATSONTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
PROCEDURES FOR VOLUNTEERCLEARANCES
1.PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK
a.Go to
b.Select “New Record Check” button. NOTE: This option is ONLY for volunteers.
c.Follow instructions and provide all information as completely and accurately as possible.
d.$10 Fee is WAIVED as of July 25, 2015 for VOLUNTEERS ONLY.
e.If no criminal record, clearance will be generated immediately, AND THENPRINT.
f.Original must be reviewed by church for verification of authenticity, and a copy is made, initialedand dated by person viewing it for the church’s records and the original is given back.
2.PENNSYLVANIA CHILD ABUSE HISTORYCLEARANCE (CHILDLINE)
a.Go to
b.If you have not already done so, register for an account.
c.Follow instructions to apply for a new Child Abuse History Clearance as a VOLUNTEER.
d.Complete all information as completely and accurately as possible and submit.
e.$10 Fee is WAIVED as of July 25, 2015 for VOLUNTEERS ONLY.
f.Allow up to 2 weeks for processing of clearance request; unofficial certification will be made available through online account once clearance request has been completed.
g.Official clearance certification will come in the mail to the person requesting the report – Original mustbe reviewed by church for verification of authenticity, and a copy is made, initialed and dated byperson viewing it for the church’s records and the original is given back.
3.FBI CRIMINAL HISTORY REPORT (Fingerprint-based backgroundcheck)
a.Go to
b.Select “Pennsylvania Department of Human Services” (2nd box in 1st row).
c.Find a location convenient to you for fingerprinting (the UPS Store in Lewisburg across from Walmart is most convenient to the church’s location).
i.Use this site to check hours and register or call for anappointment.
ii.Check the “what to bring”page.
iii.Fee is$25.75.(*as of July, 2015)
1.Payonline.
2.Or by MONEYORDER.
d.Report will come in the mail – Original must be reviewed by church for verification of authenticity, anda copy is made, initialed and dated by person viewing it for the church’s records and give the originalback to theindividual.
e.NOTE: The FBI Criminal History Report is not required for incumbent or prospective volunteerswho have resided in Pennsylvania continuously for a period of 10 years prior to becoming a volunteeror are applying for volunteer status. A signed and notarized Affidavit affirming that they have not committedcertain crimes that otherwise would prohibit them from being a volunteer responsible for the welfare of achild or having direct contact with children is REQUIRED in lieu of the FBI Criminal History Report for those volunteers who meet the above listed residency requirements. This Affidavit has been prepared by the Susquehanna Conference’slegal counsel and will be provided toyou. Copies are available in the binder outside of the Family Life Center at Watsontown UMC.
4.All three clearances must be obtained EVERY 60months. If current clearances are more than 36 months old, they must be renewed before December 31, 2015.
5.Trak-1, the Susquehanna Conference’s previous method of obtaining clearances, is no longer acceptable.
NOTES RELATED TO SAFE SANCTUARIES POLICIES:
1)Clearances are only one portion of the Safe Sanctuaries policies of our church. The Safe Sanctuaries policies are designed to be a holistic program to ensure the safety and security of our programs, ministries, and of all of those to whom we minister.
2)Safe Sanctuaries trainings are offered regularly by the Susquehanna Conference and are open to all who work within the churches and ministries of the Conference. Please consider attending one of these trainings if you have not done so recently. To be in compliance with the church’s Safe Sanctuaries policies, you must have completed a live or online Safe Sanctuaries training within 36 months. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh also offer free online training for Mandatory and Permissive Reporters of abuse which can be found at reportabusepa.pitt.edu.
3)Pennsylvania law defines anyone who accepts responsibility for a child as part of a regularly scheduled program, activity, or service, whether that person is paid or unpaid, as a mandated reporter of child abuse. Pennsylvania law further provides no privilege of non-disclosure regardless of the confidence of the disclosure; this means that you are required to report suspected child abuse even if you are asked not to do so by the alleged victim or other person disclosing the abuse. Reporting procedures include calling Childline (1-800-932-0313) as soon as possible, informing your ministry leader and/or the Pastor as appropriate, and filing the appropriate paperwork (either PA form CY-47 in paper form, or the electronic report through the CWIS portal). Willful failure to report suspected child abuse as a mandated reporter is a crime and carries with it criminal penalties in cases where child abuse is found to have taken place and willful failure to report by a mandated reporter is found to have occurred.
4)If you have interest, please request a copy of the church’s Safe Sanctuaries policies for your review to ensure that you are aware of your responsibilities as a servant leader in the church, as well as to keep yourself aware of what our church is doing to actively protect the most vulnerable of our parishioners.
5)If you have the clearances required on the opposite side of this paper for another purpose (e.g. employment, etc.), and they are current (issued within 60 months), they are acceptable for Safe Sanctuaries purposes in the church, provided that original copies are made available for inspection by church leadership. Note that the clearances are only valid for Safe Sanctuaries purposes for 60 months from their issue date, regardless of when they are submitted to the church.
6)In order to qualify for the exemption with Affidavit from the FBI Criminal History Clearance requirement, you must have resided for the 10 most recent continuous years in Pennsylvania and have no record reported on both the PA State Police Criminal Record Check and the PA Child Abuse History Clearance. A notarized copy of the completed and signed Affidavit must be on file with the church to comply with the requirements of the exemption.The Affidavit will be required at the same intervals as other clearances.
7)If you have any questions about the Safe Sanctuaries policies of the church, Safe Sanctuaries training, or obtaining your required clearances and/or Affidavit, contact the Pastor, Youth Director, or Preschool Director.
2015/07/25