Creating a safe, loving environment is one of the foundations of what we do as God's people. Developing an atmosphere that protects our children is critical. We, as Christians, must be diligent about this task. To that end, Grace Church has a Safe Sanctuaries policy in place to protect children.
Changes in Pennsylvania Law to Prevent Child Abuse
All paid church staff members (beginning at age 14) are required to get three clearances:
Applying for the FBI Criminal Record Check (fingerprinting)
CLERGY AND PAID STAFF
1. Go to https://www.identogo.com.
2. Click on “Get fingerprinted.” (upper right hand of page) Put in your state.
3. Click on “Digital Fingerprinting.” Enter Service Code: 1KG756 : Employee older
than 14 with Contact with Children.
4. Schedule appointment. This will step you through the process to sign up for an
appointment at a center of your choice, in your region.
5. Estimated amount due is $22.60
6. Call the Helpdesk at 844-321-2124 if assistance is needed.
FOR VOLUNTEERS
ALL volunteers age 18 and over who deal with children and youth the following:
are required to obtain the PA Criminal History Report from the PA State Police (Criminal Background Check) AND certification from the PA Dept. of Human Services (Child Abuse Clearance).
Volunteers (18 and older) who have resided in continuously in PA for 10 or more years need to provide:
a) PA Criminal History Report Certificate (criminal background check)
b) Child Abuse Clearance
SEE TOP OF PAGE FOR STEPS TO OBTAIN THESE REPORTS.
Volunteers who HAVE NOT lived in Pennsylvania continuously for 10 years must also provide FBI Criminal Record Check (fingerprinting).
1. Go to https://www.identogo.com.
2. Click on “Get fingerprinted.” (upper right hand of page) Put in your state.
3. Click on “Digital Fingerprinting.” Enter Service Code: 1KG6ZJ (DHS Volunteer)
4. Schedule appointment. This will step you through the process to sign up for an
appointment at a center of your choice, in your region.
5. Estimated amount due is $21.35
6. Call the Helpdesk at 844-321-2124 if assistance is needed.
For complete up-to-date information on the laws, how to get clearances and other related information visit Pennsylvania's new Keep Kids Safe website at keepkidssafe.pa.gov
How to Obtain Clearances
https://eptach.pa.gov/homeThe Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance can be submitted and paid for online through the Child Welfare Information Solution (CWIS) self-service portal, compass.state.pa.us/cwis. Submitting an application online allows individual applicants to receive their results through an automated system that will notify the applicant once their results have been processed. Applicants will be able to view and print their results online. The self-service portal also provides the ability for organizations to create business accounts to prepay for child abuse clearances and have online access to the results.
For more information about the electronic submission of child abuse clearances or for information on obtaining the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check or Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Check, go to dhs.pa.gov/publications/findaform/childabusehistoryclearanceforms/index.htm
Follow these three links to be in compliance:
The PA Department of Human Services’ Keep Kids Safe PA website has complete details, including a Q&A about mandated reporting of suspected child abuse.
To help train mandatory reporters, this flyer describes and provides a link to a FREE online three-hour course for mandatory reporters. Developed by University of Pittsburgh, the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Children, Youth and Families, the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators, the course covers how to recognize and report suspected child abuse. Registration is required. Participants can then print out a certificate signifying their completion of the course.
