Volunteer Packet
Dear West Oak Lane Charter School Supporter,
Welcome to another great year at WOLCS. We are pleased that you are part of our community. We are especially thankful for your support and that of our many volunteers. If you plan to volunteer or chaperone at WOLCS again this year, or if this will be your first time, please make sure that you get the clearances that you need.
After the Penn State University sex abuse scandal, the Pennsylvania legislature passed new laws changing how Pennsylvania responds to child abuse. These changes significantly impact schools.
With the changes in the law, everyone at WOLCS who is responsible for decisions regarding the selection of school volunteers must review background checks for their prospective volunteers as part of the selection process. School Volunteers are individuals who have direct contact with WOLCS students as part of their service to the school. Field trip Chaperones and guests ARE volunteers who must provide background clearances.
The information required is as much for your safety as it is for the safety of our students. All chaperones and in-school volunteers, must complete a volunteer application packet for approval, which includes the following:
Welcome to another great year at WOLCS. We are pleased that you are part of our community. We are especially thankful for your support and that of our many volunteers. If you plan to volunteer or chaperone at WOLCS again this year, or if this will be your first time, please make sure that you get the clearances that you need.
After the Penn State University sex abuse scandal, the Pennsylvania legislature passed new laws changing how Pennsylvania responds to child abuse. These changes significantly impact schools.
With the changes in the law, everyone at WOLCS who is responsible for decisions regarding the selection of school volunteers must review background checks for their prospective volunteers as part of the selection process. School Volunteers are individuals who have direct contact with WOLCS students as part of their service to the school. Field trip Chaperones and guests ARE volunteers who must provide background clearances.
The information required is as much for your safety as it is for the safety of our students. All chaperones and in-school volunteers, must complete a volunteer application packet for approval, which includes the following:
- Volunteer Application
- Copy of a valid driver’s license or state photo ID
- Pa. Child Abuse Clearance (No cost: Fee waived)
- Pa. State Police Criminal Record Check (No cost: Fee waived)
- Federal FBI (finger print) check ONLY if you have not lived in Pennsylvania for 10 consecutive years.
- Volunteer Affirmation Form
Volunteer packets along with required clearances must be submitted within the first 30-days of the school year for approval. Applications for clearances are made directly with appropriate state agencies. Clearances obtained this year, will be valid for 60-months.
You can complete an application and obtain background clearances by using links on the WOLCS website: Go to www.wolcs.org and follow the instructions listed under Background Clearances. Although clearances required for employment have related fees, once you indicate that the clearance is to be a volunteer on the application page the fees are automatically waived and you will not have to pay anything. You can also use the links below:
- Report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP): https://epatch.pa.gov/home
- Child Abuse History certification from the Department of Human Services (Child Abuse): https://www.compass.state.pa.us/CWIS
Additionally, anyone who has not lived in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years must complete an FBI clearance. This clearance requires fingerprinting. Also, unlike the state police background check, there is a required $27.50 fee. The application for the FBI clearance can be completed at: https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_dpw.htm. If you have lived in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years, you do not have to complete the FBI background check but, you must swear or affirm in writing by signing the Volunteer Affirmation Form that you are not disqualified from service because of a conviction for any offense referenced in the law.
Offenses referenced in the Child Protective Services Law include:
Offenses referenced in the Child Protective Services Law include:
- Chapter 25 (relating to criminal homicide)
- Section 2702 (relating to aggravated assault)
- Section 2709.1 (relating to stalking)
- Section 2901 (relating to kidnapping)
- Section 2902 (relating to unlawful restraint)
- Section 3121 (relating to rape)
- Section 3122.1 (relating to statutory sexual assault)
- Section 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse)
- Section 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault)
- Section 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault)
- Section 3126 (relating to indecent assault)
- Section 3127 (relating to indecent exposure)
- Section 4302 (relating to incest)
- Section 4303 (relating to concealing death of child)
- Section 4303 (relating to endangering welfare of children)
- Section 4305 (relating to dealing in infant children)
- A felony offense under section 5902(b) (relating to prostitution and related offenses)
- Section 5903(c) or (d) (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances)
- Section 6301 (relating to corruption of minors)
- Section 6312 (relating to sexual abuse of children)
- A felony offense under the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, committed within the five‐year period immediately preceding today’s date
- The attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit any of the above offenses
Complete Application packets must be submitted to the main office by the deadline listed on the application, and must include a valid driver’s license or state photo ID with all required clearances. No Exception! |
Please note: WOLCS has the right to use its discretion in disqualifying an applicant when charges/offenses and/or convictions are outside of the §6344 of the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services law.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation working with us to ensure that our children are safe. Please remember that you cannot attend things such as field trips without turning in your completed volunteer packet to the main office by the deadline.