Volunteer Clearance Information
The well-being and safety of all students are a top priority at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School. Please be aware that parents who volunteer in the school, and parents who volunteer to be a field trip chaperone must obtain a prior background check/clearance in advance. This will be strictly enforced to comply with district policy and ensure the safety of the children. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and compliance with this policy.
How to Obtain Background Clearances:
Act 34 Criminal Background Check: You may obtain this online at https://epatch.state.pa.us .
As of 7/25/2015, there is no fee for volunteers who apply for this clearance.
Act 151 Child Abuse History Clearance: You may obtain this online athttps://www.compass.state.pa.us/CWIS .
As of 7/25/2015, there is no fee for volunteers who apply for this clearance.
FBI Clearance/Fingerprinting*: Application forms and instructions are available athttp://www.pa.cogentid.com/index.htm . The cost of the fingerprint service is $27.
You must register prior to going to the fingerprinting location.
*A prospective volunteer is required to obtain only the Pennsylvania State criminal background and child abuse clearances, and is not required to secure the above FBI/fingerprint clearance if, and only if, the following three conditions are met:
The prospective volunteer is applying for an unpaid position;
The prospective volunteer has been a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania continuously for the prior ten (10) year period; and
The prospective volunteer swears or affirms in writing that the prospective volunteer has never been convicted of a disqualifying crime in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or another state, district or foreign nation, or under a former law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Please be aware that background/safety clearances may take four weeks or longer to obtain. If you are interested in being a chaperone, please plan accordingly and obtain your paperwork early.
NOTE: Clearances will need to be renewed every 60 months (5 years).
Once you have obtained your clearances, volunteers must meet with the building principal to review the ORIGINAL copies of the requested documents. No copies will be accepted. Copies of the documents will be made by the principal and will be kept on file.
The principal will be available to meet with parents to review their clearances on the following dates:
October 13th (Wednesday) during the PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM
If these dates are compatible with parents' schedules, you may call the main office to schedule a mutually convenient time to review the clearances with the principal.
Please be aware that background/safety clearances may take four weeks or longer to obtain. If you are interested in being a chaperone, please plan accordingly and obtain your paperwork early.
NOTE: Clearances will need to be renewed every 60 months (5 years).