Do ALL volunteers have to have clearances?
Beginning on July 1, 2015, almost ALL volunteers will be required to have background clearances. Clearances are required for all unpaid adult volunteers who are responsible for the welfare of a child or have the possibility of caring for, supervising, guiding or controlling children or routine interaction with children, regardless of the number of hours or frequency of the contact.
Please contact your building principal with specific questions and for details on what volunteer opportunities require clearances.
Why does the Peters Township School District require volunteers to get clearances?
The District has a duty to protect its students. These policies must be followed in accordance with state law.
I have already received my clearances through my employer or through a coaching position, will that work for the District?
If the clearances are the same as the ones required by the District, they can be used to satisfy volunteer requirements. They must not be more than 5 years old at the time they are given to the District. The clearances will expire when the oldest of the submitted clearances is more than 5 years old.
What clearances are required?
Three different clearances are required – (1) PA State Criminal Record Check, (2) PA Child Abuse History Clearance and (3) Act 114 Criminal History Record Check (“fingerprint”).
The new state law permits the District to waive a volunteer’s need to obtain the Act 114 Criminal History Record Check if requirements are met. Click here to learn more.
Why are 3 different
clearances required?
Each clearance request searches a unique database of records. The PA clearances for child abuse and criminal records are held in 2 different state databases, while the Act 114 clearance checks criminal history through a national database.
How long will it take
me to get my clearances once requested? You can usually obtain all three clearances within four weeks after you have submitted everything necessary.
What should I do once
I get my clearances?
Only after you get all of the clearances back, take them to the Central Administration Building (631 East McMurray Road) during normal office hours.Administrative Staff will review your clearances and will make a copy to keep for our files. The originals will be returned to you. Thereafter, your name will be added to a central database of volunteers who have submitted clearances. Please note that you should have four papers with your - PA Child Abuse, PA Criminal Record Check, Act 114 or the signed waiver, and the signed Acknowledgement of Volunteer Obligations.
What if I have older clearances that I got for volunteering with other organizations?
The District will accept
the clearances provided they are not more than five years old from the date of submission. The clearances will expire when the oldest of the submitted clearances is more than 5 years old.
How often will I have to update my clearances?
Every 5 years from the date of the oldest record submitted. Once any one of the clearances is older than 5 years, your name will be removed from the approved list and your clearances will be removed from our files and shredded.
What if I am not truthful about disclosing prior arrests or notifying the District of a subsequent arrest?
The statute makes the failure to disclose information a misdemeanor of the third degree.
What kind of offenses would preclude someone from being permitted to have unsupervised, direct student contact during his/her volunteer activity?
These offenses are listed in Section 111 of the School Code and include:criminal homicide, aggravated assault, stalking, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure, rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, institutional sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, indecent exposure, sexual intercourse with animal, incest, concealing death of child, endangering welfare of children, dealing in infant children, prostitution, obscene and other sexual materials and performances, corruption of minors, sexual abuse of children, unlawful contact with minor, solicitation of minors to traffic drugs. sexual exploitation of children and certain drug crimes.
How will I be able to remember when my clearances expire?
The District will maintain a list of volunteers who have submitted clearances, and the expiration date on the Volunteer tab of the District website.
How much do the clearances cost and can I be reimbursed ?
At this time, the total cost to get all 3 clearances is $22.60 (the fees for the 2 state clearances have been waived for volunteers). Unfortunately, the District is unable to reimburse you for the cost of obtaining the clearances. However, if paying for the clearances would be a financial hardship for you, please call your building principal. All calls will be kept confidential.
Do I have to get a TB test to volunteer at school?
Not usually. The only volunteers who have to get TB tests are those volunteers that had to be approved by the school board prior to starting their volunteer service. Usually these types of volunteers are volunteer coaches.
Are the clearance procedures all one step procedures?
No. The state clearance procedures are only one step. The Act 114 Clearance procedure is a 2 step process.You will first have to register online for an ID. You will then take that ID to an approved fingerprinting location to finish the process.
Where do I have to get fingerprinted?
Approved locations can be found
HERE.
Do the fingerprinting services use ink to take prints?
No. They will take your prints electronically, on a glass screen.
How long does the fingerprinting process usually take?
Usually 15 minutes if there is no one in front of you.
How may I get copies of my clearances that I submitted to the District?
You may obtain a copy by coming to the Administration Building during normal business hours. You must present photo ID and sign for the copy of the paperwork per FBI regulations.
What if I have a question about clearances that’s not here?
Please email your question to Shelly Belcher at
[email protected]. She will get an answer for you and then will post to this page to help others in the future.