Safe Sanctuaries Screening Procedures

Careful screening is one way to reduce the abuse of children. We recognize that screening of children’s workers is a morally complex and controversial issue. St. Paul’s UMC and Wesley Foundation requires screening of all paid Staff persons and for all individuals 18 years of age or older who apply for an unpaid position as a volunteer children’s worker responsible for the welfare of a child or having direct contact with children.

The decision to screen is based on criteria inherent to the position and is not based on the personal qualities of the volunteer. In all cases, screening must be accompanied by careful application of safe operating procedures.

An employer or individual who intentionally fails to require an applicant for employment or volunteer service to submit the required certifications commits a misdemeanor of the 3rd degree.

All visitors and unpaid youth aged 14 thru 17, who participate in children’s activities, shall be required to provide:

  • Standard contact information
  • Signed St. Paul’s Volunteer Participation Covenant or signed St. Paul’s Youth Volunteer Participation Covenant.

All paid staff persons, 16 years of age or older, must obtain the three following 3 clearances:

  • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Report;
  • Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance (ChildLine);
  • FBI Criminal History Report (Fingerprint-based background check).

All persons 18 years of age or older who apply for an unpaid position as a volunteer (persons in positions of Children’s Activity Coordinator, Mentor, Helper/Resource/Support Person) will be required:

  1. To complete an application packet that includes:
    • Statement of personal beliefs, gifts and talents.
    • Listing of 3 non-related references. This list shall have complete contact information for all references.
  2. To obtain the three following 3 background clearances:
    • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Report;
    • Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance (ChildLine);
    • FBI Criminal History Report (Fingerprint-based background check).

NOTE: The FBI Criminal History Report is not required for incumbent or prospective volunteers: (i) who have resided in Pennsylvania continuously for a period of 10 years prior to becoming a volunteer or applying for volunteer status and who sign a Volunteer Affidavit affirming that they have not committed certain crimes that otherwise would prohibit them from being a volunteer responsible for the welfare of a child or having direct contact with children; or (ii) who have received such Report at any time since establishing residency in Pennsylvania and provide a copy of the Report to the person responsible for the selection of volunteers.

Failure by employee or volunteer to disclose information that would be a basis for denying employment or volunteer status is a third degree misdemeanor.

Parents and guardians are always welcome to accompany their children in all children’s activities. These persons will be considered “visitors.” A visitor must sign in/out and is not counted in the Two-Adult rule.

Persons with pending Criminal/Child Abuse Clearance/FBI Criminal History Report or Affidavit applications may serve in Children’s Activities when a cleared, non-related adult is present.

An applicant must maintain an active relationship with St. Paul’s UMC and Wesley Foundation of at least six months before serving as a Children’s Activity Coordinator or Mentor with children.

The three background clearances must be renewed every 60 months, as required by the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (CPSL).

The Senior Pastor or his/her designee is responsible for reviewing and following up on each PA criminal, PA child abuse, and FBI fingerprint clearances and for the confidentiality of the process. Each individual’s Safe Sanctuary file will be maintained in a locked file cabinet by the Senior Pastor and/or his designee. The Senior Pastor must inform the District Superintendent of the State College District of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church that a person has been disallowed from working with children. The clearance form of the disallowed person must then be provided to the District Superintendent for retention.

No outside group may use St. Paul’s facilities where children will be involved (either as participants or childcare) unless they follow St. Paul’s policies, which include background clearances, the Two-Adult rule, etc.

Individuals who have been convicted of child abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, or ritual) or whose name appears on Megan’s List, may not work in any church-sponsored activity or program for preschoolers, children and youth.