New FBI Clearance Required

All of the following individuals are now required to submit Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history background checks in addition to child abuse and Pennsylvania State Police background checks as a condition of employment/approval:

• Prospective foster and adoptive applicants and their adult household members;
• Individuals who want to operate child care facilities; Individual who want to work in child care facilities;
• Individuals seeking to operate child care services;
• Individuals applying for employment with a significant likelihood of regular contact with children;
• Self-employed family day care providers;
• Family day care home household members age 18 and over who live in the home at least 30 days in a calendar year; Community Rehabilitation Residential (CRR) host home families; and
• Respite provider families.

Current employees and providers of child care facilities are not required to obtain FBI clearances as a condition of continued employment by the same legal entity or continued operation. Employees may transfer to another child care service under the same organization without having to obtain FBI clearances as a condition of transferring. This follows the same procedures already in law under the Child Protective Services Law.

An employee hired on a provisional basis will have to submit proof of application for an FBI criminal history clearance in addition to the current provisional hiring requirements in the Child Protective Services Law. The length of the provisional hire period is unchanged. Pennsylvania residents may be hired on a provisional basis for a single period of no more than 30 days. Out-of-state residents may be hired on a provisional basis for a single period of no more than 90 days.

Prospective employees applying to engage in occupations with a significant likelihood of regular contact with children, in the form of care, guidance, supervision or training must obtain background checks as a condition of employment. These individuals, including but not limited to social service workers, psychiatrists, hospital personnel, counselors and therapists, librarians and doctors. Any additional requirements surrounding provisional hiring periods or licensing implications related to the completion of background checks for these individuals should be directed to the appropriate licensing entity.

The Department of Public Welfare is utilizing Cogent Systems to process fingerprint-based FBI record checks. The fingerprint based background check is a multiple step process. Effective July 1, 2008, the Cogent Systems Web site www.pa.cogentid.com/index_dpw.htm, allows individuals to apply online, as well as provide detailed information regarding the application process. The cost of obtaining the FBI criminal record check is $36.

FBI Clearance Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Child Care Providers (PDF download)

More information about this new requirement can be found by search for Bulletin #3490-08-03 in our Bulletin Search.

If you cannot find the information you need, please contact DPW.