Clearance Info

Bethel Park School District Volunteer Clearance Information

OVERVIEW 
The Bethel Park School District encourages the involvement of parents and guardians as volunteers in our schools.  Pennsylvania State Law (Act 15) now requires that EVERY volunteer who has direct contact with students to have the necessary clearances on file with the School District.
Direct Contact with Children is defined by State Law as the “care, supervision, guidance or control of children or routine interaction with children.”
In keeping with the legislation and the legislative definition of Direct Contact, the District has developed the following guidelines to exemplify what does and does not constitute Direct Contact.
  1. Field trips, classroom parties, book fairs, band trips and chaperoning scholastic club competitions/music trips are some examples of events when parents are supervising, guiding, controlling and interacting directly with students.  In events where adults are there to work with children, these individuals MUST have clearances.
  2. At school-related events where parents and grandparents are attending with their own child and they are NOT supervising, guiding or controlling other children, these individuals would NOT be required to have clearances. In these events, the adult is attending as an audience member.  Examples include the Talent Show, Special Person’s Breakfast, Dismissal Time, Open House and attending events and performances as spectators.


WHAT CLEARANCES ARE NECESSARY?

 The Bethel Park School District requires the following clearances:
  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
  • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (Act 34)
  • FBI Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114)
    • Volunteers who have resided in Pennsylvania for ALL of the past 10 years and have never been convicted of a Disqualifying Offense (see list below) may request a waiver of the FBI Fingerprint Clearance.  (See section below titled “You do NOT need the FBI Clearance if you meet the following TWO criteria.”)
In addition, the following form must be signed and submitted.
  • Acknowledgement of Volunteer Obligations — The new State Law also requires volunteers to notify the District within 72 hours if they are arrested or convicted of a Disqualifying Offense.  To ensure that all volunteers are aware of this requirement, you will be required to sign and submit a copy of the Acknowledgement of Volunteer Obligations when you submit all three clearances.  Please click on the link below to download the form.
HOW DO I GET MY CLEARANCES?
Listed below are the details of the required clearances, including the costs and timelines for obtaining the clearances.
PA Criminal Record Check
Cost: Free if you are a volunteer.
Expected Wait Time: Should be received within two weeks
Manner Received: You will receive your results online with a paper copy
PA Child Abuse History Clearance
Cost: Free if you are a volunteer
Expected Wait Time: Should be received within two weeks
Manner Received: Online with paper copy
Federal (FBI) Criminal History Record Check
Cost: $27.00
Payable With: Online with credit card, money order or cashier’s check
Expected Wait Time: Should be received within two weeks
Manner Received: Mailed to your home
Other Important Information:
  1. The fingerprint background check is a multiple-step process.
  2. The applicant must register prior to going to the fingerprint site:
    • Registration is completed online 24 hours/day, seven days/week at www.pa.cogentid.com.  You can also register by phone at 1-888-439-2486 Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM.  Please select “PA Department of Education” when registering.
    • The fee is $27 and can be made online at the above web address using a credit or debit card. Money orders or cashiers checks, payable to “3M Cogent” will be accepted at the fingerprinting site for those applicants who do not have the means to pay electronically. No cash or personal checks will be accepted.
  3. Once you register, you have 90 days from the registration date to go to one of the fingerprint locations to get your fingerprints.  To see a list of approved fingerprint locations, please click here.

You do NOT need the FBI Clearance if you meet the following TWO criteria:

  1. You have been a resident of Pennsylvania for the ENTIRETY of the past 10 years AND
  2. You have NEVER been convicted of a Disqualifying Offense (Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Stalking, Kidnapping, Unlawful Restraint, Rape, Statutory Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Aggravated Indecent Assault, Indecent Assault, Indecent Exposure, Incest, Concealing the Death of a Child, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Dealing in Infant Children, Prostitution and Related Offenses, Crimes Related to Obscene and Other Sexual Materials and Performances, Corruption of Minors, Sexual Abuse of Children, Named as the Perpetrator of a Founded Report of Child Abuse OR WITHIN THE 5-YEAR PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING, convicted of a Felony Offense under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act).
If you can answer “yes” to both of the above points, you are eligible to waive the Federal Criminal History Record Check (FBI Fingerprint).  Please click on the link below to download a FBI Fingerprint Clearance Waiver.
ONCE ALL OF YOUR CLEARANCES ARRIVE:
  • Once you have received ALL THREE clearances (or two, plus the waiver if you are eligible for that), please call Mary Beth Gregg at 412-854-8402 to schedule an appointment to turn in your paperwork at the Bethel Park School District Administration Building (301 Church Road).  When you come for your appointment, you must bring the ORIGINALS (and one copy to expedite the process), the signed Acknowledgement of Volunteer Obligations and Photo Identification.
  • All volunteers must appear in person.  No one can bring your clearances in on your behalf.
  • Your clearances will be reviewed and copied for the District’s files. The originals will be returned to you.  Your name will be added to a School and Central Database of Volunteers who have submitted all clearances and paperwork.
  • Your photo will be taken to create a plastic Qualified Volunteer ID Card.  You will need to present/wear this card every time you are volunteering.  The card, once created, will be sent to the school of your choice to be picked up when you volunteer. Please bring this card with you to school EVERY TIME you volunteer and show it to the school secretary when you sign in.  If you lose your Volunteer ID Card, replacement cards are $5.  PLEASE NOTE: You will NOT receive your Volunteer ID Card the day you present your clearances, so please allow five days from the time you present your paperwork to receive your card.

Volunteers MUST be approved by Central Administration and issued a Qualified Volunteer Card to be eligible to volunteer.  Please do not take your clearances to the schools.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you have questions, please click here to see a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Thank you for your cooperation to help the District comply with State Law and to ensure the safety of all of our children.
Important Downloads
 

 


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