PARENTS MUST BECOME PGASD SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED VOLUNTEERS 

BEFORE THE MARCH PTO MEETING 

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CHAPERONE LOTTERY

Complete Your Clearances for Free!

Effective July 25, 2015, PA background check fees for volunteers have been waived. We are encouraging parents to complete their clearances while they are free. Clearances are valid for 5 years from the issue date.

Please submit all required documents to the elementary school office at one time! Your packet will be sent to the school board for approval. Once approved, you will be able to volunteer for any school related activity.

If you have lived in the state of Pennsylvania for 10 years or more, you will need to complete the following:

• • PGASD Volunteer Application

  • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check

  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance

If you have lived in the state of Pennsylvania for less than 10 years, you will need to complete the following:

• • PGASD Volunteer Application

  • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check

  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Check

PGASD Volunteer Application

Please print and complete the application. The completed application should be submitted to the elementary office with copies of your clearances.

Click here to print the application form!

Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check

This is a very simple process and a clear record will allow you to print your certificate immediately. Be sure to print a copy for yourself and one to submit to the school.

Click on this link and choose "New Volunteer Record Check" to complete the process: https://epatch.pa.gov/home

When asked for the Volunteer Organization, please enter Pine Grove Area Elementary PTO. Our phone number is 570-345-2731.

Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance

This clearance takes a bit longer and requires a two step process. You will first create an account on the Child Welfare Portal and then use it to complete the clearance. You will need an email account to complete this clearance online.

Follow these directions:

• 1. Click on this link to start the process: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

  2. Click on “Create Individual Account”

  3. Click on “Next”

  4. Fill in the required information to create an account

  5. When prompted, check your email for a code

  6. Close your browser so that you are logged out of the system

  7. Click this link: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

  8. Click on “Individual Log In”

  9. Click on “Access my Clearances”

  10. Click on “Continue” at the bottom of the page

  11. Log in with your user name and the code from the email

  12. Create your own password

  13. Click close

  14. Log in with your username and the password you created

  15. Follow the directions to start your application.

  16. When you are asked, check “Volunteer Having Contact with Children”

  17. Choose “Other” for Volunteer Category

  18. Enter “Pine Grove Area Elementary PTO” for Agency Name

  19. Follow the directions to enter your personal information and sign the application.

  20. When asked if your agency has a code, choose “No.”

  21. After submitting your application, watch your email. You certificate should come in about 14 days. Please print it and submit a copy to the elementary office.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Check

This clearance is required for those who have not lived in PA for at least 10 years to be sure that they have not committed crimes against children in other states. Because this is a federal level clearance, the fee has not been waived and you will need to pay to complete it. This clearance requires you to register and pay online and then go in person to be fingerprinted at an approved location. You will need photo identification when you go to be fingerprinted.

Click here for further information, to find a location, and to register online: https://uenroll.identogo.com/      Service Code: 1KG6XN

Please staple all documents together and submit them to the elementary school office at one time!

NOTE: When your Volunteer Application and ALL of your clearance certificates are received by the PGAES office, your name will be submitted to the PGASD school board. After approval at a board meeting, you will be considered a board approved volunteer. Approval typically occurs at the next regularly scheduled school board meeting after the certificates and application are received by the PGAES office. 

This approval is necessary for liability purposes and must occur before a parent/guardian may chaperone.  Once a parent has been school board approved as a volunteer, they do not need to fill out the volunteer application again or be re-approved. They simply turn in updated certificates to the PGAES office to replace those that have expired.

Already have clearances from your job or another organization?

Great! You do not need to fill out the online forms again! You just need to submit copies of the certificates to the PGAES office, along with a completed PGASD School Volunteer Application. Make sure they aren’t expired; clearances are valid for 5 years. Once the application and copies are received, your name will be submitted to the school board for approval as a volunteer.