Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the procedure change?
Under amendments to the state Child Protective Services law, all teachers, staff, administrators, contractors and volunteers who come into contact with students must obtain criminal background check and child abuse clearances from the FBI, PA State Police and Department of Human Services every 60 months.
The new rules are based on recommendations from a Task Force on Child Protection. The new volunteer clearance requirements go into effect August 25, 2015.
How do you distinguish between a visitor and a volunteer?
A visitor is viewed as an individual who is attending and/or observing an event or activity without providing a service to the students, staff, or school/district operations. Some examples of these events would include but are not limited to: Back-to-School Nights, Parent/Teacher conferences, American Education Week, holiday concerts, etc.
School visitors do not need to follow the new clearance guidelines, but will still be required to present a driver’s license or government issued photo identification to the school’s receptionist. This ID is scanned into the Raptor System and is cross-referenced with the data base maintained by Raptor Technologies of sexual offenders throughout the United States.
Is there a cost associated with clearances?
Yes, detailed information can be found by clicking the links below. The following costs are associated with each clearance for volunteers:
Act 34: PA State Police Clearance- FREE for volunteers
Act 151: Child Abuse Clearance- FREE for volunteers
Act 114: FBI Fingerprint Criminal Clearance- $27.50 at an approved location
The cost for obtaining these required background clearances (total of $27.50) shall be covered by the volunteer.
Do I need a Tuberculosis (TB) test?
PA State Code and District policy requires all volunteers to have a TB test completed if you are volunteering more than 10 hours per week. If you will not be volunteering more than 10 hours per week, you do not need to complete the TB Test per the Department of Health.
How long are my clearances and Volunteer badge good for?
Your clearances will expire five (5) years from the date on the clearance. If you have a clearance issued on 3/20/2015, your clearance will expire on 3/20/2020. Your volunteer ID badge will have an expiration date on the badge. This is the date that one or more of your clearances will expire. You will be asked to obtain new clearances and a new badge will then be issued to you at that time.
How long is my TB test good for? Will it need to be renewed?
State law does not require your TB test to be renewed. Therefore, once you obtain your TB test initially as a volunteer, we will not ask you to get another one completed for your length of time as a volunteer.
Where do I submit all of my Volunteer Paperwork?
All paperwork can be turned into the Administration building or emailed to Loretta Allen. The Administration building is the white building directly behind the Middle School. Address: 1901 E Paper Mill Road, Oreland, PA 19075. If you would like to drop off your paperwork in person, please click the "Book Now" button on the bottom of the Volunteer Clearance Information page.
Please contact Loretta Allen with any questions at loretta_allen@sdst.org.