To chaperone on field trips or to volunteer at the school, parents must complete the three clearances described in this guide below.
Clearances
Although background clearances are not required to volunteer at all adult education providers, some may ask you to submit them. By sending your clearances to the Office of Children and Families, we’ll streamline the process by storing and sending them to organizations where you may volunteer in the future. Click on each for instructions on obtaining the most popular clearances:
Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance
- Go to this link: https://epatch.pa.gov/home
- Click “New Volunteer Record Check.”
- Fill in the required information and submit.
- Once the results load, click “View Certificate form” or download the clearance using the control number provided.
- Send the completed clearance to adultedu@phila.gov.
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- Go to this link: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
- Click “Create Individual Account.”
- Provide necessary information and check your email for the temporary password.
- Return to the website and select “Individual Login.” i Select “Access my clearances.” Log in using your ID and the temporary password, answer security questions, and set a new password. ii At the bottom of the confirmation page, click “Close this window” to be directed back to the log in screen. Sign in using your new ID and Password.
- Accept terms and conditions. Select “Create Clearance Application.”
- Choose “Volunteer Having Contact with Children” as your application purpose, and select “other” as the volunteer category, with “Philly Reading Coaches” as the Agency Name.
- Complete the application, optionally providing your social security number.
- Confirm that you haven’t received a volunteer certification free of charge in the past 5 years and submit the application. Select “NO” when asked if you were provided an authorization code and submit the application.
- You will receive confirmation emails for application submission and processing, usually within 20 minutes.
- Once your results process, return to the portal and click “To View the result, click here.” Send the PDF clearance to adultedu@phila.gov.
FBI Criminal History Clearance
Residents of PA for less than 10 years:
- Follow this link: https://uenroll.identogo.com/
- Enter Service Code: 1KG6ZJ
- Fill in the required information i You are not required to provide employer information ii Answer NO when asked for an authorization code
- This clearance requires you to go to an IdentoGO enrollment center to complete a fingerprint scan. Before submitting the form you will select a location and day/time that is convenient for you.
- After your appointment your FBI clearance will come in the mail. Send either a scanned copy of the clearance or a CLEAR picture of the entire clearance to Adultedu@phila.gov
Residents of PA for 10 or more years:
- Sign the FBI Clearance Waiver (PDF) and send the signed PDF to adultedu@phila.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Are my clearances free?
Both the PA Criminal History Clearance and PA Child Abuse Clearance are free for volunteers.
Why am I being asked for a payment for my PA Child Abuse Clearance/ PA Criminal History Clearance when it is free for volunteers?
If you are being asked to provide payment information for those two clearances, then you did not indicate that the clearance was for volunteer purposes.
What if I already have my clearances?
We can accept clearances that are less than 5 years old since the date they were ran.
I’ve already had my clearances done with another organization, but I don’t have copies, what do I do?
Most organizations maintain clearance files for all volunteers. Reach out to the organization and see if they can provide you with copies.
Who should I reach out to if I still have more questions?
If you have any more questions you can email: adultedu@phila.gov