Clearances & Mandated Reporter Training

Have you indicated interest or applied?

This information is for individuals who have indicated volunteer interest and completed an application. We recommend completing these steps before obtaining clearances.

Start Your Journey

Criminal Background Clearances

Volunteers are required to submit (3) different criminal history background clearances before beginning their volunteer duties. The three (3) clearances, which must all be current (within 4 years), include:

Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance

Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check

FBI Criminal History Background Check

For active CASA volunteers, background clearances are required to be updated every 4 years.

Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check

Cost: Free for Volunteers

Reason for request: Volunteer - New Record Check

Preferred Method:
Online Application
Results are returned immediately if no record exists.

Paper Application:
http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov/resources/clearances/pspcrimck/index.htm

PA State Criminal History Record Check

It is important to note that this clearance has two parts. The first entry of personal information is on behalf of the person checking for a record, which is you. The second entry of personal information is about the person you are checking on, which is also you.

Go to: https://epatch.state.pa.us

Select 'New Record Check' (Volunteers Only).

Check the box to 'Accept' terms of service to proceed.

You will see a screen with blanks asking for you to fill them in. For "Volunteer Organization Name," please use Crawford County CASA. For "Volunteer Organization Telephone Number," please use 814-337-4471.

For the remaining blanks, please enter your personal information, including your home address, and preferred email and phone number. Please click 'Next' when you are done.

The next screen will ask you to verify all of the information you just entered. Please click 'Proceed' if your entries are error-free. If you made a mistake, you are able to click 'Back' and correct your information.

The next screen you see will ask for the personal information of the person you are checking for a record on (yourself). Re-enter your information and select 'Enter this Request'.

The screen will reappear, scroll down, and select 'View Queued Record Check Requests' and click 'Finished' to complete the clearance.

Verify your name, social security number, date of birth, sex, and race, then select 'Submit'.

Your name and a control number should appear. Click on the 'Control Number' next to your name.

You will then need to click on 'Certificate Form' under your information. This will take you to your printable clearance.

Please print your final certificate of clearance.

FBI Criminal Background Check

You must register before you arrive for fingerprinting. Registration is available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Go to https://uenroll.identogo.com

Enter service code - 1KG6ZJ

Answer all the questions given on each page and click Next.

Search for an Enrollment Center for a location for fingerprinting and then click Next.

Select Date and Select Time for fingerprinting appointment or checkbox for Walk-In (scheduled appointments take priority over walk-ins).

Hit Submit.

You will be prompted to confirm the appointment. Your payment of $22.60 will be made at the IdentiGo by Morpho Trust Center via credit card, debit card, or money order. No cash or personal checks will be accepted.

Print the enrollment screen (you will also receive an email from IdentoGo confirming the appointment).

If there is a delay in getting the clearance, call IdentoGo/Morpho Trust: 1-855-845-7434 (FBI Digital Fingerprinting).

Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance

Time required: 2-3 weeks

Cost: Waived one time in a 5-year period

Reason for request: Volunteer

Go to https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

Create a Keystone ID account
1. This account will be used to check the status of your clearance application and for future website use.
2. Once created, you will receive an email confirmation and temporary password; you must wait to receive this information before moving forward with your application.
3. Click on the Child Welfare Portal link within your email.

Select Login

Select Access My Clearances

Select Continue after scrolling down to the bottom of the page.

Re-enter your Keystone ID and temporary password; you will then be prompted to create a permanent password.

Once your permanent password is created, you will be redirected back to the login page; enter your new password and Keystone ID.

Agree to the Terms and Conditions

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Continue.

Select Create Clearance Application.

Follow the instructions outlined on the website to complete the application.
1. Select Volunteer Having Contact with Children: Applying for the purpose of volunteering as an adult for an unpaid position as a volunteer with a child-care service, a school or a program, activity or service, as a person responsible for the child's welfare or having direct volunteer contact with children as the purpose.
2. Select Other as the Volunteer Category.
3. Input CASA as the Agency Name

After submitting all the information, select Submit Application.

What are the next steps of the process after I submit my application?

You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been successfully submitted. Please save this confirmation email for your personal records as proof of submission.

The PA Department of Human Services will process your application and you will receive email notification of the outcome within 14 days. You can review the submitted application at any time through your Child Welfare Account.

Once you receive email notification of your completed application, please follow the instructs to provide a copy to CASA.

If you have trouble accessing the Child Welfare Portal website at any point, please contact the DHS Help Line at 1-877-343-0494. Between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

As part of the requirements of becoming a volunteer, you must complete the mandated reporter training. The training requires 3 hours to complete, but you do not have to complete it all at one time. Once you have completed the training, you will receive a certificate of completion. That certificate needs to be sent to our office to be added to your volunteer file. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us.

Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Clearances & Mandated Reporter Training

Have you indicated interest or applied?

Obtaining Clearances

Criminal Background Clearances

Mandated Reporter Training