In 2015, The State of Pennsylvania enacted a new law to enhance the safety and protection of the youth in our state. In particular, the law requires additional background checks on adult volunteers at schools and other organizations, including URA Recreational League.

In summary, all adult volunteers must now obtain additional clearances from: 1) the PA State Police, and 2) the PA Department of Human Services. Additionally, volunteers that have resided in PA continuously for the last 10 years must also complete a "Background Check Signature Form" which affirms their 10 year PA residency, and also affirms that they have not been convicted of certain crimes as outlined on the form.

URA is an entirely volunteer organization.  Every year we are in need of coaches for every division.  All coaches, head and assistants must complete a background check.

Coach Screening / Background Check Policy Statement and Process Background Criminal background screening is conducted by a screening committee, a subset of the Unionville Community Recreation Association (URA) Board, in an effort to protect the children who participate in programs sanctioned by and all related activities associated with URA.  The criminal background screening is mandatory, no exceptions.

Please review ALL FAQs listed below for a better understanding of the process.

NEW FOR 2021: Babe Ruth Little League is requiring ALL baseball & softball volunteers to be cleared through their background check provider, Sports Engine, in addition to PYS. This is a mandatory requirement, Below is a pasted google link with specific instructions explaining the completion process. BRLL clearances are valid for 2 years.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19vACdZTLivXNS-cVUK80U31WiyRMNCyqEEou3PdtK4U/edit?usp=sharing 

All candidates for the above-mentioned positions must sign a Release Form for Criminal History which gives URA the right to check criminal history records and verify social security numbers. This will be executed directly, via our partners at Protect Youth Sports.  No other personal information will be checked or researched.  This is a two-step process and each step must be completed.

*Please note that all clearances must be completed through PYS, we will not accept email copies.  Additionally, we are not affiliated with the school to obtain your clearances through them.  Regardless if you have clearances on file for your job or volunteering at the school, you are still required to complete this process through PYS. There are NO exceptions to this policy.

Clearances are valid for 5 years with the exception of baseball which follows the Babe Ruth requirements for background checks every 2 years.

*If you are a HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, you do NOT need complete the background check. You will be contacted directly regarding the requirements to coach.

Step #1

The link where URA Coaches begin the background check process is:

https://opportunities.averity.com/urasports

After this application is completed PYS will run the PA Criminal Background Check.  In addition to that check, you will be required to complete a PA Child Abuse Clearance.  After you complete your application PYS will send you an introductory email with instructions for completing this application.  Please note that the email they send will include a .pdf attachment “PA Child Abuse History Clearance Navigation Manual” with detailed instructions for completing this application.  This application will likely take about 20 minutes to complete. This email will also include a code that you will need to enter at the end of the application. This code will be highlighted in yellow and easy to find.  As long as you enter this code, the completed certificate will be sent directly to PYS.

Please note that if you have already completed the PA Child Abuse Clearance for school or some other organization you will not need to complete the application again.  At the beginning of their introductory email, they will provide instructions to let you know how to provide them with a copy of the certificate.

Step #2

– FBI Fingerprint Background Check (this is only required if you have not lived in PA for the last 10 consecutive years)  If you have Fingerprints dated within this year you do not have to complete them again. PLEASE SEND A COPY TO [email protected]. In the subject line include the SPORT + background check. We will confirm the details and respond immediately. 

When you click on the link below it will take you to the vendor’s home page.  At the top, you can enter service code 1KG6ZJ to get started.  Once this is done you will need to click on the first option to schedule or manage an appointment.  There is a brief application that will need to be filled out. This should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.  At the end of the application, it will ask you to schedule an appointment. Please go ahead and schedule an appointment. As long as you schedule an appointment and send the confirmation email to [email protected] you will not be precluded from coaching.   Your contingent status will last until the appointment date at which time you must complete the fingerprinting in order to keep coaching.  If you are charged a fee you will need to (initially) pay this yourself.  This is the second and final document you will need to complete.  Please email this document [email protected], as well as a copy of the receipt you received when you signed up so that we can arrange reimbursement.  If you have lived in PA for 10 consecutive years please send an email to the same address and just indicate that you have lived in PA for the last 10 years

https://www.identogo.com/

Locations:

Once notification is received from PYS you will receive an email from URA confirming you are cleared to coach.  Please allow us 24-48 hours to respond.

Should you have any questions or require help completing these forms please send an email to [email protected] and we will put you in touch with your league's clearance coordinator directly. 

Reasons for being declined the opportunity to coach are noted below as part of this policy.

In some instances, factors of time may be taken into account when considering eligibility (i.e. length of time since the disposition of certain offenses).

The decision of this screening committee may be appealed, for the purpose of clarifying facts or explaining extenuating circumstances, to the screening committee.