Safeguarding Our Children and Youth

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Safe Church Training ~ 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 is required to complete this training every three years.
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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 session that will be offered on Safeguarding Our Children and Youth, and will need to provide copies of clearances that the state requires.​

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Volunteering with Children and/or Youth at SCPC

Here are instructions we have made to help you go through the process of obtaining the clearances need to volunteer with children an youth in Pennsylvania.

​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 updated Fall 2024 (pdf)

Questions? Contact Deannine Shipman, Director of Education and Program  (814-238-2422)

These clearances are required to be updated every 5 years. If you have any questions, please reach out to Laura in the church office.