PHAA's Background Clearances Policy
Purpose
PHAA is committed to safeguarding children and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and trust. In accordance with Pennsylvania law, certain background clearances are required for individuals who have direct contact with children. This policy explains who must obtain clearances and which documents are required.
Who Needs Clearances?
Any adult (age 18 or older) who serves in an unpaid role involving responsibility for a child’s welfare or who has direct volunteer contact with children in a school, program, activity, or service must obtain background clearances. This includes PHAA evaluators, who interact with families and children as part of their professional duties.Required Clearances
Most Pennsylvania evaluators, especially certified teachers, may already possess these documents. PHAA evaluators are not employees of PHAA and are not paid by the agency. They contract directly with families for evaluation services. Their role most closely aligns with the legal definition of a volunteer under Pennsylvania law; therefore, the following clearances are required by Pennsylvania law:
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification (CWIS - apply online)
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record Check (PSP - mail in request)
- If they have not lived in Pennsylvania for the last 5 years, or if they are also a teacher (not just an evaluator), they have to comply with a third requirement: FBI Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Check (DHS - schedule online; at the top of the page they enter their service code as a teacher: 1KG756 or as just a volunteer/evaluator: 1KG6ZJ)
PHAA evaluators should maintain current copies of their clearances and provide them to families upon request.
Questions
If you have questions regarding this policy or clearance requirements, please contact PHAA directly.