Safeguarding Youth
Scouting is a place where young people can come together for fun in a safe environment. We take this seriously!
Safeguarding Youth Begins With You!
Scouting America and the state of Pennsylvania have strict requirements when working with youth. Background clearances required by Pennsylvania law are good for five years.
To Serve As A Registered Adult Leader In The Scouting America, You Are Required To Do The Following:
- Complete a BSA Adult Volunteer Application and give approval for a background check.
- Go to www.my.scouting.org and take Safeguarding Youth Training. Once you have completed the training, please print out the certificate and attach it to your application. You are required to complete this training annually.
- Successfully complete the mandatory PA clearance checks.
- Once you have completed and received all the required clearances upload them here.
Obtaining PA Clearances
Pennsylvania laws requiring mandatory background checks require many Scouting volunteers to get two (possibly three) background checks. These clearances must be renewed every five years.
What Clearances Are Needed and What Do They Cost?
- Pennsylvania State Police Response for Criminal Background Check – Free
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance – Free
- FBI Fingerprint-Based Record Check – $22.60
Volunteers who have lived in PA for at least the past 10 consecutive years may complete the Laurel Highlands Council Affidavit in lieu of the FBI Fingerprint-Based Record Check.
How Does a Person Apply for the Clearances?
The Department of Human Services clearances page has all the state information and links needed.
PA State Police Criminal Background Check
Online submission: Apply for PSP clearance online via the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) website.
Note: Social Security number is needed for the online application.
Alternative method: Print and mail the SP4 164A form to the indicated address.
Questions: Call (717) 783-9973 or toll-free at (1-888) 783-7972 for assistance with the form.
FBI Criminal History Clearance
Fingerprinting: The commonwealth uses IDEMIA (IdentoGo) for digital fingerprinting.
Registration and Information: Go to www.identogo.com and use code 1KG6ZJ to start the registration. Visit an IdentoGo site for fingerprinting; this background check is multi-step. The website lists authorized fingerprinting sites and required identification.
Questions: FBI Clearances at (717) 783-6211 or (1-877) 371-5422 or IDEMIA Registration, Processing, Billing at (1-844) 321-2101.
Submitting Pa Background Checks
Once you get the certifications of the background checks, please be sure to make several copies of each and be sure to retain the originals – so you can make additional copies as needed.
Next, you’ll need to figure out who needs a copy. Laurel Highlands Council does. Your chartering organization may, and your unit might. Your unit leadership can help you figure that out.
Here are several ways any individual could submit the background check certifications or waivers:
- PREFERRED – If you are a current adult volunteer updating a clearance, please use our Clearance Management Portal to upload directly to your profile by clicking on the button below.
- MAIL – You could mail a copy of the certifications to Laurel Highlands Council at 1275 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
- DROP OFF – You could bring a copy of the certifications to one of the three service centers. *Please be sure to bring a copy and retain the orignials for your records
A member of our staff will review your submitted clearances. You will receive an email message letting you know if your clearance was approved or if additional information will be needed.
LHC will update the key unit leaders on who has submitted their certifications from their unit. Some units may also give specific instructions on submitting the certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Barriers To Abuse
Find all updates regarding barriers to abuse here.
Clearances
Before Reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s some terminology that might help: Act 153, Act 15, PA mandated Background checks – PA Act 153 of 2014 required, among other things, specific background checks for adults working with children. On July 1, 2015, PA Act 15 of 2015 became law and amends much of Act 153. We will refer to this combination of laws, referring to the background checks, as PA-mandated Background Checks. Many resources still refer to Act 153, while a few reference Act 15.
Background checks, clearances, documents, and certifications are used interchangeably in various papers and websites that address the PA-mandated background checks. Certifications have replaced clearances, documents, and background checks in the wording of the law and most websites. Unit – is a Scouting term and refers to Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, Venturing Crews, Sea Scout Ships, STEM Scouts labs, and Explorer Posts.
Chartered organization – is a community organization that Laurel Highlands Council partners with to deliver the Scouting programs – if you are not familiar with the concept, think “sponsor.” These additional clearances add extra layers of protection to the Boy Scouts of America’s comprehensive Youth Protection Program – and that’s a good thing for our Scouts. It does take a little extra time and effort to understand and comply with the requirements – but it’s the law! LHC is committed to helping our volunteers through every step of the process. FAQ’s Q: Who in my unit is required to have clearances? All registered volunteers, regardless of position, are required to obtain and submit all statemandated clearances. New volunteers must complete their clearances to submit along with their application before volunteer service begins. Non-registered volunteers over the age of 18, which includes, for example, parents, relatives, and friends, who provide care, supervision, training or control of a youth member in lieu of parental control and/or have regular and repeated contact (routine interaction) with youth members that is integral to the volunteer activities are required to submit the clearances, as well.
Q: Who in my unit is required to have clearances?
All registered volunteers, regardless of position, are required to obtain and submit all state-mandated clearances. New volunteers must complete their clearances to submit along with their BSA application before volunteer service begins.
Non-registered volunteers over the age of 18, which includes, for example, parents, relatives, and friends, who provide care, supervision, training or control of a youth member in lieu of parental control and/or have regular and repeated contact (routine interaction) with youth members that is integral to the volunteer activities are required to submit the clearances, as well.
Q: What are some examples of non-registered volunteers who are required to have clearances and some who are not?
Here are a few useful examples:
- Lion and Tiger Adult Partners are participants in the Scouting America program as a parent so they aren’t considered to be volunteers and clearances are not required of them.
- Adults who stay occasionally at a meeting to help out, but it isn’t a regular weekly occurrence are not required to provide clearances.
- An adult who is recruited by the unit to transport youth members to camp and/or events is required to obtain the state-mandated clearances.
- A parent helping youth members with fundraisers (such as the Popcorn Show n’ Sells), where the parent could be responsible for a child other than their own, is required to provide clearances.
- Clearances are not required for community volunteers serving on Eagle Boards of Review
Q: Are Merit Badge Counselors required to have the clearances?
Yes, whether parents are present or not.
Q: Do I have to re-do my clearances every year?
No – the clearances are good for 60 months.
Q: How long does it take for the clearance results to come in?
Some of the clearances may come back within a few minutes but others may take as long as four weeks. This is why it’s very important to start the process well in advance of when you’d like to begin volunteering.
Q: If I already completed the three state-required clearances for work or another organization where I volunteer, do I have to do them again for Scouting?
No, as long as they are current. You should retain the originals of all your clearances and provide copies to the LHC. The one exception is if you’re providing the Volunteer Disclosure (FBI waiver), then it must be the council’s version since it has language specific to the Laurel Highlands Council.
Q: Does Disclosure Statement Application for Volunteers (FBI Waiver) have to be notarized?
No, but your signature must be witnessed by another adult and both pages of the form must be provided to the LHC.
Q: Do I have to request a copy of the FBI Fingerprint-Based Clearance results?
Yes, you must request a copy of the results, which will be called “unofficial results.” The Council cannot accept just a copy of the fingerprint registration.
Q: When I process my PA State Police Criminal History Clearance on-line, will a certificate showing the results be created automatically?
No – you’ll need to follow the prompts to create and print the certificate, which will have a watermark on it. (There will be a page with “Certification Form” in blue that you’ll click on, which will then be followed by a question requiring you to click “OK” and then the certificate will open up for you to print.
Q: Do I need to have all three of my clearances before I submit them to the Council?
If you are a new leader, it is best if all of the documents are submitted together along with the Adult Leader Application. You can attach copies of your clearances to that form and submit the entire “package” at one time.
Our new clearances portal will identify each individual clearance needing to be renewed and send an email to that volunteer specifically about that individual clearance.
If you have other valid clearances, you wish to submit at that time (even if not yet due to expire) you can certainly upload those as well.
Q: Do I need to use a specific web browser to access the PA clearances portal?
No, any contemporary web browser should work without issues.
Q: Whose responsibility is it to ensure background check clearances are obtained?
At the unit level, is the responsibility of the unit committee chair and chartered organization representative to ensure that compliance is handled before the volunteer service begins. At the district level, it is the responsibility of the district chair and district executive. At the council level, it is the responsibility of the council president and the Scout executive. Moreover, a new volunteer will not be registered until the council has evidence of compliance.
Q: If I Already Have Current Clearances, Can I Use Those for Scouting?
Clearances are transferable for volunteers. Clearances are good for five years from the date they were obtained so if you recently completed the background checks for another organization, you can use them for your Scouting position as well.
An updated Youth Safety Fact Sheet can be found here.
Mandated Reporting
Every adult, regardless if you are a parent, a registered leader, or a volunteer, is a Mandated Reporter. If you suspect abuse, report it. If you hear something that could be abusive, report it. If someone tells you they were abused, report it.
If you suspect or know of abuse but don’t report it, you are liable and be charged a large fine or go to jail. Any person making a good faith report is protected.
If you see abuse happening, call the police immediately.
There are two ways to report abuse: Call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313 or Report electronically.
REPORTING CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT
Trained specialists are available 24/7 to receive referrals of suspected child abuse and general child well-being concerns. Mandated reporters are certain adults, who are legally required to report suspected child abuse if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse. The law requires that the mandated reporter identify themselves and where they can be reached. In addition to having documentation that the report was made, this information is also helpful so that if clarification on the situation or additional information is needed, the children and youth caseworker can contact the mandated reporter.
Mandated reporters may report by telephone or electronically through the Child Welfare Portal. In addition, permissive reporters are individuals who are encouraged to report suspected child abuse, although not required by law. Permissive reporters can make a report at any time they suspect a child is the victim of child abuse. Permissive reporters may report anonymously. Permissive reporters can report by telephone by calling 1-800-932-0313.
Once you have made your report, please contact the Scout executive at 412-471-2927 and provide them with the report number and/or person you talked to. This will allow the SE to take additional steps that Scouting requires.
Thank you for your dedication to protect our youth.
Safeguarding Youth Training
In order to continue providing a safe and secure environment for today’s youth, the Scouting America requires all adult members (volunteers and staff) to take Safeguarding Youth Training. The training is fully supported and endorsed by the Laurel Highlands Council.
Here are three things you need to know about the training:
- What is Safeguarding Youth Training?
Safeguarding youth is a value at the core of the Scouting movement. It is vital to maintain a culture of active supervision, awareness, and safety at all levels of Scouting. Safeguarding Youth training will help you prevent harm to youth, is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers and is a joining requirement. You must complete all the lessons in this course and achieve an 80% or better score on the Course Test to receive credit for this training.
- Who is required to be Safeguarding Youth Trained?
All registered adult leaders and volunteers. All Scouting America employees. All registered adults must also obtain their Pennsylvania State Background Clearances.
- How do I complete Safeguarding Youth Training?
Training can be accessed by logging into my.scouting.org.
Current volunteers needing to update or retake the course should click on the profile icon in the top right corner and nagivate to “My Training” in order to have the training updated in thier current membership profile. If you are a current volunteer and need help to retake the course, click here for a quick “how-to” video.
NEW volunteers should click on the Safeguarding Youth logo and continue to follow the prompts until the training begins.
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The Scouting America, Laurel Highlands Council serves youth members and volunteer adult leaders throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania and portions of the Potomac region in Maryland and West Virginia.