Safeguarding Our Children and Youth
Documents
Click below to download and print the Volunteer Application form:
Volunteer Application Form (includes Affidavit) (pdf) Volunteer Affidavit (pdf) Click below to download and print the policy: Policy for Safeguarding our Children and Youth 2021 (pdf) Questions? Contact Deannine Shipman, Director of Education and Program (814-238-2422) Our online refresher training is not operational at this time as we are offering in-person training.
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Safe Church Training ~ First Time Volunteer Training
Safe Church training is something we require of all volunteers, in addition to sending us copies of their clearances. We offer these trainings yearly in the Fall and Winter. Each volunteer should do an in-house training to begin with, as soon as they can after volunteering. SafeChurch training is required for all those who volunteer in our building with our programs. If you were trained before, and its been a few years, please take this as a refresher! You may contact the church office to find out when the next training will be scheduled at 814-238-2422. SafeChurch Trainings Fall 2021
Thursday, December 2nd at 7:00 pm on Zoom Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85769378039?pwd=cUxkTVY0Q3pWWHJyOC9vejZ3Sllwdz09 Meeting ID: 857 6937 8039 Passcode: 897142 Monday, December 6th at 7:00 pm on Zoom Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85404396482?pwd=cW1kcG11N2FraUhJY0VNTS9vMUYwZz09 Meeting ID: 854 0439 6482 Passcode: 682453 Due to the pandemic, we have not offered this training in quite awhile. These two trainings will be done on ZOOM. If you sign up, you will need to either get a booklet ahead of time in the main office, ask for one to be emailed to you or download one here or from the link to the left. We follow the booklet in the Zoom training.
This course needs to be repeated every three years. So if you feel like it's been 3 years, please take this again! We have these two planned so far, and will add more only if needed at this point. This is a 45 minute quick overview of SCPC policies that pertain to our church and programs. If you are in doubt about whether or not you should attend, check with a program staff person, or just plan on attending as a refresher! Laura Steager and Deannine Shipman will be the lead presenters at these events. Volunteer Application Forms are available here, or click the link to the left - paper copies are also available outside the church office. These are required for everyone who volunteers in the church with children and youth. |
Mandated Reporter Training
For those interested in having mandated reporter training, here is a link to an ONLINE version. It will cost you $30 to take the online course. Often there are mandated reporter trainings around town that we will keep an eye on and post here when available. SCPC will host one from time to time as well.
For those interested in having mandated reporter training, here is a link to an ONLINE version. It will cost you $30 to take the online course. Often there are mandated reporter trainings around town that we will keep an eye on and post here when available. SCPC will host one from time to time as well.
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The History about SCPC's Safeguarding Our Children and Youth Policies
In 2003 a concerned committee made up of SCPC staff, who work with children's and youth programs, and members of our personnel committee, decided it was long overdue to have a policy in place that would ensure the safety of children and youth in our building and in our programs. Our goal, in response to Biblical mandates and societal needs, is to maintain a safe, secure, and nurturing place, where children may grow, and where employee and volunteer teachers are equipped to minister to the needs of children and youth. This policy also serves to protect those who volunteer their time with our children. As a church, it is our religious, moral and ethical obligation to take steps to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect, and any sexual misconduct in any form. In that light, this policy has been adopted to set and enforce behavior consistent with Scripture; to maintain a safe environment; to provide procedures for investigation and response; and to define a procedure by which employees and volunteers are recruited and supervised when working with children and youth. All of the SCPC staff have background checks for criminal records and a child abuse history clearance. Anyone who volunteers at State College Presbyterian Church with our children and youth ministry will need to fill out a Volunteer Application Form, and go to one of the Safe Church training sessions that will be offered on Safeguarding Our Children and Youth, and will need to provide copies of clearances. |
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Volunteering with Children and/or Youth at SCPC
Many of you already know the process for volunteering at the church, however we ask that you PLEASE read on to make sure you are aware of the 2015 changes if you plan on participating as a volunteer with children and/or youth. Anyone who volunteers ON A REGULAR BASIS with children and/or youth will need clearances.
The laws changed this past year stating all volunteers who are “responsible for the welfare of a child/youth or having direct contact with children/youth” must complete at least 2 background checks.
Also, there is in place a waiver for the cost of all volunteer's applications for the PA Child Abuse History Clearance and the PA Criminal Background Check effective July 25, 2015. This means that both are now FREE of charge (once every 5 years)!
Here is the link to obtain all clearances: http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov/resources/clearances/index.htm
Here you can apply for: FBI Fingerprinting (the volunteer code you will need to register for the fingerprinting is 1KG6ZJ), the PA Child Abuse History Clearance, and the PA State Police Criminal Background Clearance. If you have questions or are unsure, you may call 1-844-321-2101.
The law also states that these clearances are to be updated every 5 years.
If you, as a volunteer, have lived in PA for at least 10 years or more, you will sign an affidavit on the SCPC volunteer application form stating this fact. If you have NOT lived in PA for the past 10 years, you are required to do the FBI fingerprinting. This is not a free service - the current cost is $22.60. This is a federal service not a state one.
If you are unable to cover the cost of this independently, please notify the director of the program you are volunteering with within the church.
Anyone who has their clearances on file currently with SCPC as a volunteer or an employee will be notified if they will need to update their clearances.
Many of you already know the process for volunteering at the church, however we ask that you PLEASE read on to make sure you are aware of the 2015 changes if you plan on participating as a volunteer with children and/or youth. Anyone who volunteers ON A REGULAR BASIS with children and/or youth will need clearances.
The laws changed this past year stating all volunteers who are “responsible for the welfare of a child/youth or having direct contact with children/youth” must complete at least 2 background checks.
Also, there is in place a waiver for the cost of all volunteer's applications for the PA Child Abuse History Clearance and the PA Criminal Background Check effective July 25, 2015. This means that both are now FREE of charge (once every 5 years)!
Here is the link to obtain all clearances: http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov/resources/clearances/index.htm
Here you can apply for: FBI Fingerprinting (the volunteer code you will need to register for the fingerprinting is 1KG6ZJ), the PA Child Abuse History Clearance, and the PA State Police Criminal Background Clearance. If you have questions or are unsure, you may call 1-844-321-2101.
The law also states that these clearances are to be updated every 5 years.
If you, as a volunteer, have lived in PA for at least 10 years or more, you will sign an affidavit on the SCPC volunteer application form stating this fact. If you have NOT lived in PA for the past 10 years, you are required to do the FBI fingerprinting. This is not a free service - the current cost is $22.60. This is a federal service not a state one.
If you are unable to cover the cost of this independently, please notify the director of the program you are volunteering with within the church.
Anyone who has their clearances on file currently with SCPC as a volunteer or an employee will be notified if they will need to update their clearances.
What this means FOR YOU at SCPC….
Step 1 If you completed a volunteer application form already at some point before this August 2015, AND have been a resident of PA for 10 or more years, please complete and return the required affidavit. (copies available outside of church office by the middle of July)
Step 2 If you have NOT yet filled out a Volunteer Application Form, please print one off from the link above, or get one outside the church office.
This new version of the Volunteer Application Form includes an affidavit for folks to sign that states you have lived in PA for at least the past 10 years.
Step 3 If you have not lived in PA for at least 10 years, you are required to do the FBI fingerprinting clearance. (see the link above to get to the official site.)
Step 4 Sign up for a SCPC Safe Church training, unless you attended one last year.
Step 5 Make sure SCPC has your application form, signed affidavit or FBI fingerprint background check, copies of your clearances, and that you finished a Safe Church training.
You are all set!
Any questions, please contact the director of the program with which you volunteer or wish to volunteer at SCPC.
Click below to download and print the Volunteer Application form:
UPDATED Volunteer Application Form (includes Affidavit) (pdf)
Volunteer Affidavit (pdf)
Click below to view the entire policy:
Policy for Safeguarding our Children and Youth REV 5-2015 (pdf)
Questions? Contact Deannine Shipman, Director of Education and Program (814-238-2422)
Step 1 If you completed a volunteer application form already at some point before this August 2015, AND have been a resident of PA for 10 or more years, please complete and return the required affidavit. (copies available outside of church office by the middle of July)
Step 2 If you have NOT yet filled out a Volunteer Application Form, please print one off from the link above, or get one outside the church office.
This new version of the Volunteer Application Form includes an affidavit for folks to sign that states you have lived in PA for at least the past 10 years.
Step 3 If you have not lived in PA for at least 10 years, you are required to do the FBI fingerprinting clearance. (see the link above to get to the official site.)
Step 4 Sign up for a SCPC Safe Church training, unless you attended one last year.
Step 5 Make sure SCPC has your application form, signed affidavit or FBI fingerprint background check, copies of your clearances, and that you finished a Safe Church training.
You are all set!
Any questions, please contact the director of the program with which you volunteer or wish to volunteer at SCPC.
Click below to download and print the Volunteer Application form:
UPDATED Volunteer Application Form (includes Affidavit) (pdf)
Volunteer Affidavit (pdf)
Click below to view the entire policy:
Policy for Safeguarding our Children and Youth REV 5-2015 (pdf)
Questions? Contact Deannine Shipman, Director of Education and Program (814-238-2422)
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State College Presbyterian Church
132 West Beaver Avenue State College, PA 16801 Phone: 814-238-2422 email: officescpc@gmail.com Sunday Worship ~ In the Sanctuary 10 :15 am - face masks are optional Live-Streamed Worship ~ An email is sent out on Saturdays (to those on our mailing list) with a link to our live-stream of the worship service on YouTube at 10:15 am on Sundays. If you would like to join our mailing list, please click here Stay and Play Preschool 814-237-1154 stayandplayscpc@gmail.com Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Friday: 9:00 - noon Normal Building Hours: (the building may be closed during summer and vacation times. it's best to call ahead at 814-238-2422)
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 9:00 pm Friday: 8:30 am-Noon Saturday: Closed Sunday: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm |
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