PURPOSE - As a tax-exempt faith-based organization, Praise Christian Fellowship (PCF) values volunteer service within the church community. Pennsylvania State Law requires background checks for adult individuals (18 years of age or older) having direct contact with children. This is defined as the care, supervision, guidance or control of children and routine interaction with children. Praise Christian Fellowship understands that many church volunteers serve in various capacities that often impact multiple ministries. Consequently, PCF requires the same background checks for all volunteers, regardless of where they desire to serve. In addition to background checks, PCF requires all volunteers to attend a Guardian System Training. A volunteer position with Praise Christian Fellowship is conditional upon acceptable results of the background inquiry as determined by PCF. The information received from these checks will be used only for the purpose of determining appropriateness for a volunteer position working with or around children in ministry at PCF. Matters appearing on these background inquiries will not necessarily disqualify an individual from volunteering at Praise Christian Fellowship. 

A New Volunteer Packet can be given to the prospective volunteer and can be found at the Welcome desk. Please fill out the appropriate information on the Checklist and give the Checklist to the Communication Coordinator so they know to begin the process. 

PCF STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE - A signed authorization form (Praise Christian Fellowship Background Inquiry Release) is required before any clearances may be requested. Blank clearance paperwork will be kept at the welcome desk for prospective volunteers. When an individual has shown a desire to serve in ministry at Praise Christian Fellowship, the following must take place PRIOR to the individual being scheduled to serve.

1. The prospective volunteer will be given a packet with the following documents to be filled out and returned to the Communication Coordinator for processing:

• Praise Christian Fellowship Background Inquiry Release Form and personal information form.

• FBI Fingerprinting History step-by-step instructions OR • Disclosure Statement for Volunteers

• Instructions for Completing the PA Child Abuse History Certification Online*

OR

• Consent/Release of Information Authorization Form for the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification

AND

• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification*  *NOTE – a Payment Authorization Code must be obtained from the Communication Coordinator.

2. A Volunteer Clearance Checklist will be started and given to the Communication Coordinator.

3. When the forms have been filled out and returned, the Communication Coordinator will complete the following:

• Process the PA Criminal Record Check online.

• Maintain the checklist and collect and secure all paperwork and clearance certificates once complete.

4. Volunteer will attend a Guardian Training Seminar to comply with requirements for Pennsylvania mandatory reporting, and to understand PCF behavioral rules and guidelines.

5. All reports will be reviewed by the Communication Coordinator.

• If no criminal record exists, the Communication Coordinator will inform the ministry leader that the volunteer is cleared to serve.

• If reports reveal any unfavorable results, the Communication Coordinator will inform a committee including the Senior Pastor and Children’s Ministry Director to review the findings to determine how/if the volunteer may serve.

6. Before scheduling a new volunteer, all ministry leaders must receive confirmation by the Communication Coordinator that the volunteer has been cleared to serve in the specific capacity.