What’s New?

On December 31, 2014, a new child protection law went into effect in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  As of July 1, 2015, any adult volunteer who supervises a minor child or has direct contact with children needs clearances submitted prior to their volunteer service.  These clearances must be filed with the church office.

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Does this mean me?

Direct contact with children is defined as the care, supervision, guidance or control of children or routine interaction with children. If you volunteer for any of the following you are required to obtain your own clearances and submit copies of these to Morrisville Presbyterian Church:

• MPC Nursery

• Sunday School (preschool through grade 12)

• One Room Summer Sunday School

• Vacation Bible School

• Youth Mission Trips

• Youth Club
   

What clearances do I need to provide?

You will need to provide at least these two clearances:

• For information on all clearances needed Click Here

• Report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Click Here to access the PSP website

• Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services Click Here to access the DHS website

And if you have NOT been a continuous resident of Pennsylvania for the past 10 years, you will need to provide:.

• FBI Clearance and fingerprinting. Click Here

For a link to Fingerprinting locations. Click Here

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Additional directions for MPC volunteers to complete the Child Abuse History Clearance Application

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1. At the Child Welfare Portal, click on “Create a New Account”.  Provide the requested information (You make up the Keystone ID to be your new username – up to 10 characters).  After submitting this info, you will receive an email confirming your keystone id, and providing a temporary password.

2. Click on link above (yes, again) to access the DHS website.  This time click on “Access my Clearances”, and then”Select Access Clearances”, login, change your password.  You will then be logged out.

3. Click on link above (yes, for the 3rd time), login, using your new password,  and select “Create Clearance Application”

• Purpose of Clearance – Check the Volunteers box

• The applicant’s name must be the applicant’s full legal name. An initial is not acceptable for a first name.  The address listed must be applicant’s current home address.  This is also where the results of the clearance will be mailed.

• The applicant’s Social Security number is voluntary. If filling in the Social Security number please fill in the entire Social Security number.

• Age – Fill in the applicant’s current age.

• Date of Birth – Fill in the applicant’s date of birth (Example: 01/22/1990).

• Daytime Phone Number – Fill in the number where the applicant can be reached in the event that there are questions about the information on the application.

• Sex – Check the appropriate box for male or female.

• County You Live In – Fill in the name of the county where you reside, e.g. Bucks.

• Previous Names Used Since 1975 – The applicant must list any and all full legal names that they have ever had since 1975.  This includes maiden names, aliases and also known as (aka) names.

• Previous Addresses Since 1975 – List all addresses where the applicant has resided since 1975. If the applicant cannot remember the exact mailing addresses since 1975, filling in as much information as possible about the location will be acceptable.

• Household Members – Include anyone that the applicant lived with since 1975 (parents, guardians, siblings, children, spouse (ex), paramour, friends, etc.). If the applicant was under the age of 18 in 1975 this section must include other household members (e.g. Parents) who lived with the applicant or with whom the applicant lived.  Please note the household member’s relationship to the applicant, their age (to the best of your knowledge) and their sex.
   

Is there a cost for these clearances?

• The PSP clearance is now free for volunteers.

• The Child Abuse History Clearance is free for volunteers.

• The FBI clearance costs $22.60 through the Department of Human Services

MPC requests that volunteers cover any costs themselves, but will reimburse expenses if requested.

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All necessary instructions and links to apply for these clearances can be found at

http://www.dhs.state.pa.us/findaform/childabusehistoryclearanceforms/index.htm

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What do I do with these clearances?

Once you have obtained the required clearances, bring or mail them to the MPC office where we will keep them on file as required.  You should keep a copy for yourself.

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Is this a one-time certification?

No.  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires renewal every 60 months based on the date of each individual clearance.  Laurie Jacobson will keep track of renewal dates and will remind you every five years of upcoming recertification dates.

You must have these clearances before you can perform as an educator at MPC or serve in a supervisory capacity in any activity with children or youth.  Background checks are also required for adults participating in overnight events (e.g. retreats, lock-ins, ski trips, mission projects).

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What if I already have clearances from other organizations where I work with youth or minors, such as Scouts or sports?

Clearances may be transferred to MPC if any person obtained the above clearances within the previous 60 months.  Copies of all required clearances MUST be filed with Laurie Jacobson in the MPC office, even if you have clearances elsewhere in Pennsylvania.  Additionally, if you have clearances in other states, such as New Jersey, you MUST get the required PA clearances and provide those certificates to Laurie in the MPC office.