Safe Sanctuary

Overview

First United Church of Christ strives to create a safe environment for all, especially for the most vulnerable among us.  Maintaining a safe environment refers not only to ministries that take place at our church building, but also for off-site activities, electronic communications, and print communications.

More Information

    For more information about our SafeConduct policies, please contact the church office.

Reporting

If a child or other person is in immediate danger, please call 911 immediately.

 In the event of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

     A mandated reporter shall make an external report to ChildLine at:

           electronically at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis
or
calling 1-800-932-0313 and submitting a CY47 Paper Form to be mailed to the county children and youth agency where the suspected abuse occurred

          Click on this www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov link for information as to who is a mandated reporter.

     An additional internal report shall also be made to one (or more) of the following:

          Consistory President
          Consistory Vice President
          Christian Education Chairperson
          Pastor

  For the current list of our church leadership team, click on this Church Leadership link.

Documents

     Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (in pdf format)

     Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check (in pdf format)

     Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check - for Volunteers (in pdf format)

     Pennsylvania Disclosure Statement for New Non-Paid Volunteers (in pdf format)
          * For those serving in a non-paid position at First UCC

     Pennsylvania Disclosure Statement for New Paid Staff (in pdf format)
          * For those serving in a paid staff position at First UCC

Pennsylvania CY47 Paper Form (in writeable pdf format)
* For making a written report of suspected abuse

Links

     Pennsylvania's Keep Kids Safe Website: www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov

     Pennsylvania Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting: www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis

     Pennsylvania Department of Child Welfare: www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

     Pennsylvania Department of Education: www.education.pa.gov

     Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance: www.pa-fsa.org

Clearance Links

     Instructions and links for all three clearances are at: www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov

 The individual links for the three clearances are below:

     Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification: www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis
          * Child Abuse History Clearance

     Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History: epatch.state.pa.us
          * Criminal History Clearance

     Pennsylvania's Vendor for Fingerprinting - IdentoGO: www.identogo.com
          * FBI Fingerprint Clearance
            Information about the FBI Fingerprint Clearance can be found at:
                 http://www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov/resources/clearances/fbifinger/index.htm

Those who work directly with youth (and those who oversee another person within First UCC, who works directly with youth) are required to satisfactorily complete both the Child Abuse History and Criminal History clearances and submit the PA Volunteer Disclosure Statement. All paid staff and those who have lived outside of Pennsylvania with the past ten years must also satisfactorily complete the FBI Fingerprinting clearance and the PA Employee Disclosure Statement.

Training Links

     Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance: PAFSA Mandated Reporter Training

     University of Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Mandated Reporter Training

     Boy Scouts of America: Youth Protection Training