Mandatory Background Check Instructions for MYC VOLUNTEERS

To comply with PA State Laws, volunteers must submit background check results before they participate in their volunteer activity/position.

NOTES:

A total of 3 documents must be submitted (the 3rd document is either an FBI Fingerprint check or the Volunteer Disclosure Statement). This process can take several weeks, so please start ASAP. Most people will only need the first 2 background checks (available at no cost for volunteers). If you need the FBI fingerprints, you will need to pay for this cost (approx. $25).

Background checks will need to be re-done every 60 months (5 years) or in accordance with current PA state laws.

Which background checks do Volunteers need?

IF the volunteer has lived in PA for the entirety of the past 10 years – two clearances (PA Childline & PA State Police). Both are free for volunteer status. PLUS a signed Volunteer Disclosure Statement regarding residency and affirming no offenses or convictions (this replaces the FBI fingerprints).  Click here to print the affidavit.

IF the volunteer has NOT lived in PA for the entirety of the past 10 years – all three clearances are needed: PA Childline (free), PA State Police (free) & FBI Fingerprints (approx $25).

What if I already have some / all of these background checks? Please submit copies to the MYC Office ASAP (see submitting results instructions below) so we can verify whether or not they can be used to comply with the laws.

To complete your background checks, you will need:

• a computer with internet access,
• a list of all of the previous addresses where you have lived and the names of all the people with whom you lived or currently live with (including parents, siblings, etc). Give your best effort with the information. If you do not know everything, type in what you do know (i.e. if you can’t remember the entire address where you used to live, put in a partial address from what you can remember).
• a credit card for payment (only if you need the FBI Fingerprints)

TURNING YOUR RESULTS IN TO MYC – you are responsible for submitting results for background checks to MYC. You should submit each result as soon as you receive it. You can email files to the MYC Office at [email protected] OR put the results in an envelope (keep a copy for your files) and either place it in the MYC Drop Box by the front entrance to MYC or mail it to MYC, 1 Youth Way, Media PA 19063.

INSTRUCTIONS for HOW TO COMPLETE EACH BACKGROUND CHECK:

#1. PA Child Abuse History Clearance - Can be completed online. Go to the link below and click on "new user" to set up your login/user profile. Save the login/password information as you’ll need it again later.

https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

You will need to choose the “volunteer” status in order for the check to be free. Please note that volunteer status background checks can not be used for employment.

• When you successfully finish, you'll see a screen that says "Submission Confirmation" and "success". If you get timed out during the application/payment process, please log back in to your account and your application will be accessible to finish and submit.
• A few days later, you will receive an email indicating that your Clearance Certification is ready to print/save. You will need to log back in to your account in order to access the certificate.

#2. PA State Police Criminal Record Check:

Go to this link and complete your background check. Make certain that you print OR save as a file the "Certification Form" at the end of the process.

You will need to choose the volunteer status option in order for the check to be free. Please note that volunteer status background checks can not be used for employment.

***When you get to the “results” page, you will need to click on your record # that starts with an R in order to actually see your results certificate. The certificte will be 1 page with a large seal of the state of PA superimposed over the text of the page.***

#3. FBI Fingerprint Background Check: this is a 3-step process, please read directions.

**If you are a minor ages 14-17, see Notes 1 and 2 below.

**Only needed if you have not lived in PA continuously for the past 10 years.  If you lived in PA continuously for the past 10 years, you need to sign a Disclosure Statement instead (MYC website). 

Step 1 - register online first using the "Volunteer Service Code" of 1KG6ZJ -- https://uenroll.identogo.com/   

Step 2 - go to the fingerprint center you selected during registration to have your prints done (you need to bring with you a valid form of ID as listed here ) 

Note 1: Minors ages 14-17 are exempt from obtaining FBI clearances if both of the following apply: a) the minor has lived in PA during the entirety of the previous 10 years, or if not a resident for the entirety of the previous 10 year period, has received an FBI clearance at any time since establishing residency in PA (and provides a copy of that FBI clearance); and, the minor and their parent /guardian complete and sign the PA Disclosure Statement for Employment.   https://www.cmu.edu/hr/assets/act-153/act-153-disclosure-statement.pdf

Note 2: If you are a minor 14 years of age or older obtaining FBI fingerprints, and do not have a valid driver's license or driver's permit, you will need an ID Waiver for a Minor form as well as other identification (see the form).  A parent or legal guardian must accompany you to the fingerprint location.

Please see the information at the top of these instructions on how to submit your results for each of the background checks to MYC. You should submit each result to MYC as soon as you receive it.

A note on confidentiality: MYC will keep your background check results confidential.  Our Background Check Policy is available upon request to [email protected].

As always, please contact us if you have any questions or need assistance with completing these items. The MYC office tel# is 610.566.5877 or email is [email protected]