CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAW AND ITS IMPACT ON VOLUNTEERS IN THE HAWK MOUNTAIN COUNCIL

Scouting is where young people can come together for fun in a safe environment.

Scouting America and the State of Pennsylvania have strict requirements when working with youth. To be a registered adult volunteer, you must complete three simple steps:

1. Complete the mandatory PA Clearances and submit them to us, see PA Clearances and Verification Forms section below for more information and ways to get them us.
2. Complete a Scouting America Adult Volunteer Application or navigate to BeAScout.org to find the unit you would like to join. Adults can now sign up directly online.
   • If signing up online, it is imperative that you send us your clearances as soon as possible. To comply with PA state law, adults in Scouting America must have valid clearances at all times.
3. Navigate to my.scouting.org and take the Safeguarding Youth Training (you may hear this referred to as “Youth Protection Training” – this is the updated version).

Background clearances must be renewed every five years. We will remind you but it is a good idea to keep track of your dates on your end as well.

Why is this necessary?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enacted the Child Protective Services Law in 2015.  The intent of this law is to protect the youth of Pennsylvania.  All youth-serving organizations within the Commonwealth are covered under this law.  All volunteers and staff, both those registered and unregistered, in the Hawk Mountain Council are affected by this in two ways; we are:

• Mandated child abuse reporters. To report suspected child abuse in PA, you can visit the Dept. of Human Service website here.
• Required to provide and maintain up-to-date background check clearances (see below for more information).

PA Clearances and Verification Forms

Once you have completed and received your clearances, you must upload all three of the state-required copies to the Hawk Mountain Council Upload Clearances System, see buttons on the page or CLICK HERE.

If you need assistance or have questions, please contact the the Hawk Mountain Council using the contact form below or call (610) 926-3406 x 1210.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK

CLICK HERE to be redirected to the website to obtain this clearance. Select “New Volunteer Record Check” and follow the steps. Once the clearance application goes through, download the certification form and send it to us.

You can also check the status of previous checks from that website.

PENNSYLVANIA CHILD ABUSE HISTORY CLEARANCE

CLICK HERE to be redirected to the website to obtain this clearance. Select “INDIVIDUAL LOGIN” and follow the steps. Once the clearance application goes through, download the results and send them to us.

Please note: this clearance usually takes a few days to a couple weeks to come back – make sure that you use a valid email address that you check often.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

Please note: this is only required for those who have lived in Pennsylvania less than 10 years

Volunteers needing to obtain the FBI fingerprint-based background check begin the process by following the steps below.

CLICK HERE for more information.

• The code for volunteers is 1KG6ZJ. The code for employees and summer camp staff is 1KG756.
• Click on Schedule or Manage Appointment.
• Follow the prompts for completing the required information and printing the registration form to take to the fingerprinting location.

RESIDENT VERIFICATION FORM

If you have lived in Pennsylvania for more than 10 years, you do not need to complete the FBI Criminal Background Check but must complete a Resident Volunteer Verification Form (PDF). The form requires a signature from you and a signature from a witness on your end. Once complete, please submit to us directly.

How do I get you my clearances?

• Email them to [email protected]
• Mail to or drop off at our office, 5027 Pottsville Pike, Reading, PA 19605
• Use the upload button below (requires a Google Account – the link gives you an option to create one if you would like to use this option if you do not have one)

Where do I submit my clearances once I have them?

Clearances can be mailed to the office, dropped off at the office during business hours, or emailed to your District Executive.

(Due to the potential for sensitive information, we cannot accept submissions via fax.)

CALLING ALL CUB SCOUT LEADERS!

Membership season is almost here and we want to ensure you have the resources needed! We will be offering 4 online Zoom Recruiting Sessions and we ask that at least two leaders from each Pack attend ONE of these sessions. 

Topics Include:

• Online Promotions, Sign Up Night Mechanics, Online Registration, Be A Scout.org, QR Codes, Peer to Peer Recruiting Patches, Setting Adult Volunteer and Youth Recruitment Goals, BSA Brand Center, FREE Summer Cub Scout Activities, NEW BSA Fees

Session Dates & Times:

• Monday, July 13, 6:30PM
• Tuesday, July 14, 6:30PM
• Wednesday, July 22, 6:30PM
• Thursday, July 23, 6:30PM

How do we sign-up?

• Contact your District Executive via email or by calling 610.926.3406

Who can/should attend?

• Every Cub Scout pack is asked to have two leaders attend. We encourage the leader that handles membership or sign-up event to attend one of these training events!