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Frequently Asked Questions

-FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-

 

What definitions might I need to know to volunteer?

Volunteer – One who voluntarily offers a service to the school district without compensation over a period of time (see categories below).

Long-Term Volunteer – One who voluntarily provides a service to the school district, without compensation, from time to time throughout the entire school year. Said service does not necessarily have to be performed on consecutive days; the intent, however, is to use a long-term volunteer over an extended period of time throughout the school year.

Overnight/Off Campus Chaperone/Volunteer – One who voluntarily provides a service to the school district, without compensation, as a chaperone on a trip where the students leave the campus or stay overnight at a hotel, motel, camp, school, or other arrangements approved by the school district.

Visitor – One who enters the school for a specific purpose such as a conference with a teacher or administrator or to provide a one-time service (such as an assembly, presentation to classes, bringing treats into a class). A visitor does not provide an ongoing service to the school district or interact one on one with the children. A visitor does not act in a caretaking role with the children and is not left in the company of the children without approved supervision. 

Affidavit – To be signed in place of obtaining your Federal Criminal History Background Check – Act 114. An Affidavit can only be signed if you have lived in the State of Pennsylvania for at least ten years or more. It does does not need to be notarized; it needs only to be signed and handed in with the rest of your obtained clearances.

TB Test – A type of diagnostic test for Tuberculosis to be done before you can volunteer with children. This test only needs to be done once, provided that you keep your other clearances up to date. (We keep TB Tests 30 days past your last expired clearance.) Most doctors’ offices ask that you schedule an appointment, have the test administered, schedule a return visit, and then ask that you come back three days later to have it read. Some find it more convenient to use an Urgent Care for this test, as there is no appointment scheduling involved. Please be advised, however, that there might be an additional cost to you depending on what your health insurance covers. Please speak with an insurance representative before deciding.

What clearances/certifications do volunteers in Lower Dauphin School District need?

Volunteers are required to submit the following:

  • State Police History Record – Act 34 (dated within the last 5 years)
  • Child Abuse History Clearance – Act 151 (dated within the last 5 years)
  • Federal Criminal History Background – Act 114 (dated within the last 5 years)
    • OR a signed Affidavit if you have lived in Pennsylvania for 10 years or more
  • TB Test results that read negative. Must be dated within the last 3 months (90 days)
  • A signed Volunteer Information Form

Why do we need all this information?

Due to changes in the state law in 2015, all volunteers who have “direct contact” with students are required to have everything listed above.

What should I do once I receive my clearances?

Originals of the clearances will be mailed to the applicant’s home address or sent electronically if submitted online. Those originals, along with the TB test and signed Volunteer Information Form must be presented to the District’s Human Resources Department. You can drop them off either at the District office or at your child’s school office to be sent to Human Resources. The District’s office hours are Monday through Friday 7:30am – 4:30pm. Clearances will also be accepted via email. 

Do I have to wait until I have it all before turning it in?

No, you do not need to wait until you have everything to send it in or drop it off.

How often do I need to update my certifications?

Volunteers are required to update their certifications as indicated below.

  • State Police History Record – Act 34 (Every 5 years)
  • Child Abuse History Clearance – Act 151 (Every 5 years)
  • Federal Criminal History Background – Act 114 (Every 5 years)
  • Affidavit (Only needs completed once)
  • TB Test (Only needs completed once, provided you keep all clearances up to date)

Who pays for the clearances/certifications?

It is the responsibility of the volunteer to pay for their clearance and certifications. As a Volunteer you should only need to pay for the FBI clearance. 

How much does a TB test cost?

This is dependent upon your health insurance coverage. We suggest that volunteers speak with an insurance representative before making a choice about where to have the TB testing done.

How much do the clearances cost?

  • State Police History Record – Act 34 (Free for volunteers)
  • Child Abuse History Clearance – Act 151 (Free for volunteers)
  • Federal Criminal History Background – Act 114 (Estimated cost is around $23)
  • Affidavit (Free for volunteers)

What happens if the TB test comes back positive?

It does not happen often, but there are times when a test will read positive. This does not mean that a person has Tuberculosis, as false positives do occur. When this happens, a follow up X-ray is required to certify that the volunteer does not have TB. A doctor will need to give you a script certifying that the X-ray follow up showed negative for TB. In leiu of this, a written note from a doctor stating that a patient has been examined and does not have TB can also be supplied. The letter should include; the patient's name, date, and be signed by a doctor.

Do I need to supply a new TB test every time my clearances expire?

No, as long as you keep your clearances current you will only need to supply one TB test to us.

  • Note: If all of your clearances expire we will keep your TB test results for 30 days before shredding it. If this occurs you will need to supply new test results to us.

How much time will it take to receive the clearances?

It depends. The Child Abuse and State Police clearances are sometimes ready the same day. Volunteers that submit the applications online often receive all of their certifications back in as little as 5 days. However, we generally advise individuals to allow for 2-4 weeks if they are submitting their forms online.

Whom should I contact if I have questions?

You can contact the Human Resources Depart at (717) 566-5303 or email Melissa Fullerton.

How do I know if my clearances have expired?

Clearances expire 5 years from the date of issuance. Generally, someone in the Human Resources Department will contact you a few months before any of your clearances are due to expire, with instructions on how to obtain new ones.

I have a “previous record” on one of my clearances. Does this prevent me from volunteering?

“Previous records” are reviewed by the Director of Human Resources and approval is either given or denied. Generally, this does not prevent a person from volunteering. Volunteers receive notification from the Human Resources Department regarding the approval.

I have sent in everything that was required, now what?

The Human Resources Department will process your clearances and information. An e-mail is sent out when volunteers have “officially” completed the approval process. Each Volunteer gets a badge to wear while volunteering. Badges are made at the beginning of each month. (If we receive your clearances after the 1st, we will make your badge at the beginning of the next month.) An e-mail notification will be sent when your badge is ready and waiting to be picked up. Until your badge is ready, you are able to volunteer in the school district. The school secretaries have access to the Approved Volunteer database. They will be able to verify that you have completed your clearance process, even if you do not have a badge yet.

 

Last Updated on 3/15/2021