Criminal and Child Abuse Clearances
Procedure for obtaining criminal and child abuse clearances, prior to working with children.
If you will be working with children, many schools and agencies require us to be sure that you do not have a background that would put children at risk when they are with you. It can take 4-6 weeks to complete this process so please start as soon as possible. The Gelfand Center will cover the cost of these background checks and will process the paperwork. Once you have received your clearances be sure to KEEP the certificates since you will need to show this to the school or agency where you volunteer.
- The Criminal Clearance Form [.pdf] is obtained through the Pennsylvania State Police. Please print and complete the form.
- We must also request a Child Abuse Clearance Form [.pdf] for you. Again, print and complete the form.
- Please fill out a Child Abuse Release form [.pdf] which allows your clearance to be sent directly to the Gelfand Center.
For each form make sure that you use your local (Pennsylvania) address (SMC or apartment); the Department of Child Welfare will not process them if you use an address that is not in Pennsylvania. Also, be sure to sign and date the Child Abuse Clearance form. Finally you must send documents with original signatures. The Department of Child Welfare will not accept scanned or faxed forms.