SELECTION OF APPROVED ADULTS
To protect the children/youth in our care, the following guidelines are established for those who desire to work with children/youth less than 18 years of age.
Approved Adults must:
Required Application Forms to Become an Approved Adult
The following forms are located in the Appendix:
Required Clearances
Church volunteers are not required by the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) to obtain background checks. However, most churches, including Laurel Street Mennonite Church have policies requiring volunteers to obtain the following clearances:
1. Child Abuse History Clearance Form (CY-113) ($10)
2. Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check Form (SP4-164) ($10)
Background checks will be repeated every three (3) years; and after a break in service of more than one (1) year.
Volunteers that have obtained the above clearances through other employment may submit copies of such clearances to the Church as long as they were given within the past two (2) years. Anyone with clearances older than this must obtain new clearances for working with children in the church.
Prospective employees applying to engage in occupations with a significant likelihood or regular contact with children, in the form of care, guidance, supervision or training must obtain new background checks as a condition of employment. This would include (for example) a Christian Education Director, Youth Pastor, and other church staff expected to have regular contact with children. Employees are required by the CPSL to obtain background checks.
All church staff hired 7/1/08 and after with a significant likelihood of contact with children must also obtain FBI clearance (fingerprinting) in addition to the above background checks ($33).
See https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_dpw.htm (COGENT) to locate a fingerprint processing center near our church.
To protect the children/youth in our care, the following guidelines are established for those who desire to work with children/youth less than 18 years of age.
Approved Adults must:
- Attend Laurel Street Mennonite Church for a minimum of 6 months.
- Complete an Approved Adult application form and the required clearance forms. Clearances are required for all applicants. It is encouraged that the applicant pay the filing fees for clearances. If there is a hardship, and he/she is unable to pay these fees, he/she may ask the church Safe Sanctuary Coordinator for assistance. Cash or checks made payable to Laurel Street Mennonite Church are acceptable forms of payment.
- Attend a standard initial training session.
- Sign and comply with the Child Protection Covenant.
Required Application Forms to Become an Approved Adult
The following forms are located in the Appendix:
- Approved Adult Application
- Consent/Release for return of Child Abuse Clearance to Church
- Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check Form
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form
- Letter of Acceptance as an Approved Adult
- Child Protection Covenant
Required Clearances
Church volunteers are not required by the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) to obtain background checks. However, most churches, including Laurel Street Mennonite Church have policies requiring volunteers to obtain the following clearances:
1. Child Abuse History Clearance Form (CY-113) ($10)
2. Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check Form (SP4-164) ($10)
Background checks will be repeated every three (3) years; and after a break in service of more than one (1) year.
Volunteers that have obtained the above clearances through other employment may submit copies of such clearances to the Church as long as they were given within the past two (2) years. Anyone with clearances older than this must obtain new clearances for working with children in the church.
Prospective employees applying to engage in occupations with a significant likelihood or regular contact with children, in the form of care, guidance, supervision or training must obtain new background checks as a condition of employment. This would include (for example) a Christian Education Director, Youth Pastor, and other church staff expected to have regular contact with children. Employees are required by the CPSL to obtain background checks.
All church staff hired 7/1/08 and after with a significant likelihood of contact with children must also obtain FBI clearance (fingerprinting) in addition to the above background checks ($33).
See https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_dpw.htm (COGENT) to locate a fingerprint processing center near our church.