Child Protective Services Law
Over the last year, lawmakers in the State of Pennsylvania having been working towards updating the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL), the laws which are intended to protect children from abuse and neglect. Over the last several months, they have passed some 22 new laws and amendments to strengthen child protective services practices in Pennsylvania. Several of these changes directly impact the ministries of Mt. Zion UCC. We, as a church, are required to comply with these new regulations, but more importantly, we are called by God to do our very best to protect the safety of children. It is a privilege and honor to minister with children and youth and we want to continue to do so in ways that both honor the law and our commitment as disciples of Christ.
In order to be in compliance, the following is needed from all volunteers who work with children (even in one time capacities such as Vacation Bible School or Messy Church):
~ a Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance Certification and
~ a Certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Child Abuse Clearance).
~ if you have lived in Pennsylvania less than ten years, a FBI Federal Criminal History Clearance (includes fingerprinting).
We know that many of you have already obtained these clearances through your employment or volunteer work in schools or other social service and nonprofit settings. If you have had these reports completed within the last 36 months, then providing copies of these clearances to Mt. Zion is all that is needed. If you have any questions regarding whether or not you need to obtains clearances, please contact Pastor Danielle.
If you need to obtain these clearances, it is a simple process. You can complete the clearances online or by paper application. There is a small fee associated with each clearance. You are welcome to submit the applications and pay for them yourself, or you can submit your receipts to Mt. Zion UCC for reimbursement. The cost of background checks for volunteers and staff was included in the 2015 budget. You can obtain paper applications in the folders in the church office, or you can obtain the clearances online by going to the Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance Portal at:
http://www.dhs.state.pa.us/findaform/childabusehistoryclearanceforms/index.htm
Beyond the requirement of clearances, the new laws also expand the list of who is a "mandated reporter" to include volunteers who work with children. A mandated reporter is a person who is required to make a report if they suspect abuse or neglect of a child.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the church office or any member of the Mt. Zion Child Protection Task Force (listed below). Included in this envelope you will find a checklist to help guide you in completing the necessary information. Once the steps are completed, you can return copies of your clearance verifications and volunteer information sheet to the labeled box in the church office where the information will be locked each day. Please keep originals for your records. Thank you again for your care for the children of Mt. Zion and for your attention to this important matter!
God bless you,
The Mt. Zion Child Protection Task Force
In order to be in compliance, the following is needed from all volunteers who work with children (even in one time capacities such as Vacation Bible School or Messy Church):
~ a Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance Certification and
~ a Certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Child Abuse Clearance).
~ if you have lived in Pennsylvania less than ten years, a FBI Federal Criminal History Clearance (includes fingerprinting).
We know that many of you have already obtained these clearances through your employment or volunteer work in schools or other social service and nonprofit settings. If you have had these reports completed within the last 36 months, then providing copies of these clearances to Mt. Zion is all that is needed. If you have any questions regarding whether or not you need to obtains clearances, please contact Pastor Danielle.
If you need to obtain these clearances, it is a simple process. You can complete the clearances online or by paper application. There is a small fee associated with each clearance. You are welcome to submit the applications and pay for them yourself, or you can submit your receipts to Mt. Zion UCC for reimbursement. The cost of background checks for volunteers and staff was included in the 2015 budget. You can obtain paper applications in the folders in the church office, or you can obtain the clearances online by going to the Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance Portal at:
http://www.dhs.state.pa.us/findaform/childabusehistoryclearanceforms/index.htm
Beyond the requirement of clearances, the new laws also expand the list of who is a "mandated reporter" to include volunteers who work with children. A mandated reporter is a person who is required to make a report if they suspect abuse or neglect of a child.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the church office or any member of the Mt. Zion Child Protection Task Force (listed below). Included in this envelope you will find a checklist to help guide you in completing the necessary information. Once the steps are completed, you can return copies of your clearance verifications and volunteer information sheet to the labeled box in the church office where the information will be locked each day. Please keep originals for your records. Thank you again for your care for the children of Mt. Zion and for your attention to this important matter!
God bless you,
The Mt. Zion Child Protection Task Force
Volunteer Information Checklist
This checklist is for your convenience. Once you have completed all the necessary items, please return your volunteer packet to the church office. There is a labeled box with manila envelopes provided where you can put your materials. Your information will be kept secure in the church office.
_____ Completed Volunteer Information Sheet
_____ Mandated Reporter Acknowledgement or Sign up for Information Session
_____ Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance Certification
_____ Certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Child Abuse Clearance)
_____ if you have lived in Pennsylvania less than ten years, an FBI Federal Criminal History Clearance (includes fingerprinting).
_____ Optional: Receipt(s) from the cost of clearances for reimbursement (if desired).
This checklist is for your convenience. Once you have completed all the necessary items, please return your volunteer packet to the church office. There is a labeled box with manila envelopes provided where you can put your materials. Your information will be kept secure in the church office.
_____ Completed Volunteer Information Sheet
_____ Mandated Reporter Acknowledgement or Sign up for Information Session
_____ Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance Certification
_____ Certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Child Abuse Clearance)
_____ if you have lived in Pennsylvania less than ten years, an FBI Federal Criminal History Clearance (includes fingerprinting).
_____ Optional: Receipt(s) from the cost of clearances for reimbursement (if desired).
Request for Criminal Records Check
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Or go to https://epatch.state.pa.us for faster results (sometimes immediate) with a credit card
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Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance Form
| child.abuse.clearance.pdf |
Mt Zion UCC Volunteer Information Sheet
| volunteer.infosheet.pdf |