Pennsylvania
Overview
Effective January 1, 2015, revisions to a Pennsylvania child protection law will require volunteers (any adults serving in unpaid positions) who are individually responsible for the welfare of a child or children, or who will have direct contact with a child or children, to have the background clearances described below.
Please note: Volunteers under the age of 18 only need to fill out this form and email it to [email protected] All other volunteers will follow the instructions below.
What Clearances are Required?
- Report of PA Criminal History from the Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH) – FREE
- Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services – FREE
- Fingerprint-based FBI criminal history clearance submitted through the Department of Human Services – COST $27.50 (TechGirlz will reimburse full-time students once all documentation is received).
Please note, volunteers who have lived in PA for the last 10 years may complete the TechGirlz Affidavit Form in place of the FBI Check. An FBI check is not necessary for those who have lived in PA for ten years or more.
How to obtain PA-Mandated Background Clearance Certifications
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History
- Go to this link: https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp
- Click the yellow New Record Check (Volunteers Only) and follow directions
- Volunteer Organization Name: TechGirlz
- Save the screening documents to pdf and email to [email protected]
Child Abuse History Clearance from Department of Human Services
- Go to this link: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
- Create a new account and follow the directions
- Volunteer Category: Other
- Agency Name: TechGirlz
- Save the screening documents to pdf and email to [email protected]
FBI Fingerprinting (only needed for those who have not lived in PA for ten years.)
- Go this link: https://uenroll.identogo.com/
- Use service code 1KG6ZJ and follow the prompts
- At the end there will be a link to show where you can go to get fingerprinted
- Payment will be collected at the time of fingerprinting
- Save the screening documents to pdf and email to [email protected]
Note: This process will take several weeks and must be completed prior to attending all TechGirlz programs.
Final Step
Print/Scan all background screening documents to a .pdf file format and email to [email protected] We are required to keep all documents on file.