As of July 1, 2015, new child protection laws took effect in Pennsylvania that require any club volunteers in direct contact with children to have child abuse clearances and specific background checks—the same ones needed to volunteer in your child's school. Full information on the legislation and reporting requirements is available at:

• keepkidssafe.pa.gov
• PA Dept of Human Services

Additionally, Methacton United is required to maintain copies of clearances for all volunteers. We must have this documentation in hand prior to the commencement of your volunteer activities. Simply put:

Specifically, all coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, and even parents that are helping out more than one time are required to have the clearances listed below.

• Child Abuse History Clearance (link)
• PA State Police Criminal Record Check (link)
• Fingerprint-based FBI Federal Criminal History (link)
• Affidavit of Compliance (link) This affidavit is only applicable in lieu of the FBI background check if you have lived in Pennsylvania continuously for the previous 10 years. See keepkidssafe.pa.gov for full requirements and information.

Copies of all documentation must be emailed to our Secretary and Risk Management Coordinator at secretary@methactonunited.org. Please indicate the position and program for which you have volunteered.