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.

 The Boy Scouts of America and the State of Pennsylvania have strict requirements when working with youth. To be a registered adult volunteer, you must complete the following items:

• Complete the mandatory PA Clearances and Uploaded to Hawk Mountain Council, see PA Clearances and Verification Forms section below.
• Go to www.my.scouting.org and take Youth Protection Training. Once you have completed the training, please print the certificate and attach it to your application. You are required to complete this training every two years.
• Complete a BSA Adult Volunteer Application and give approval for a background check.

Background clearances required by Pennsylvania law are good for five years.

History

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, registered and unregistered, in the Hawk Mountain Council are affected in two ways; we are mandated child abuse reporters and required to provide background check clearances.

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 – Link to Google form.

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

PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK

Free for volunteers! – Click Here for more information.

PENNSYLVANIA CHILD ABUSE HISTORY CLEARANCE

Free for volunteers! – Click Here for more information

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

Volunteers needing to obtain the FBI fingerprint-based background check should begin the process by visiting Idemia’s website and then follow the steps below.

Please Note: This is required for those who have lived in Pennsylvania less than 10 years

Click here for IdentoGo PA Page

• Click on Locate an Enrollment Center first to find the location for providing your fingerprints which is closest to you, this is a resource to find the closest location to you only. The company is continuing to add new fingerprinting locations.
• 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 have to complete the FBI Criminal Background Check, however, you must complete a Resident Volunteer Verification Form (PDF).