To upload new clearances and apply for approval in the Affinity system:


Go to this link, HERE
1. Click on the blue “to begin REGISTRATION please click here” at the top of the page.
2. Once there, login.  You will see all the family members
3. You will have the option to add family members or to continue, you want to continue.
4. The next screen will list all those eligible in the family to register for this, to the right of your name, you will see a ‘register as coach/admin’ button, please click that. 
5. It will then come up with what you asking you to select the play level and the only option is Background Check.
6. Once you select that, your information will come up on the screen, in the middle of this screen, you will see ‘click here to show photo or certification upload’
7. This is where you will see to upload the documents.  Towards the bottom, you will see ‘club additional information’, please pick your club. 
8. At the bottom, you want to select the ‘save and next page’.
9. Walk through the rest of the steps, agree to the ELAs if there are any (they may not apply, but can’t go any further).
10. The Payment page will come and should say no payment due. 
11. Keep on until you get to the end. 
12. This will create the application for approval.  You will go ‘under Review’
13. If everything is in order, you will be approved, if there is anything amiss with the documents, Tim McCoy from PA West will email you directly with what needs to be corrected.  If everything is in order and he can approve you, you will not hear anything from him.  Kind of a ‘no news is good news’!

Should you have any questions, please contact the club's Registrar, John Tarpey.

The PA Child Protective Services Law changed effective January 1, 2015.  The change no longer permits organizations like PA West Soccer to conduct background checks through a third-party provider.  All background checks must be completed using the provider designated by Pennsylvania per the requirements of the law.  Individuals fall into two categories…paid and volunteer…and each has its own set of required clearances. All individuals must upload the required documents into the PA West Soccer Online Risk Management System (link to the portal and additional info at the bottom of the page).

Volunteers must provide the following:

  -State Police Criminal Record Check

  -PA Child Abuse History Clearance

  -if PA resident for at least the past 10 years…a complete and notarized Volunteer affidavit

  -if PA resident for less than the past 10 years…FBI Criminal Background Check
 - Completed SafeSport Training

Individuals who are paid to oversee the children/have direct contact with children must provide the following:

  -State Police Criminal Record Check

  -PA Child Abuse History Clearance

  -FBI Criminal Background Check
 - Completed SafeSport Training

All individuals must upload the required documents into the PA West Soccer Online Risk Management System  Click Here to begin uploading documents

How To Obtain Your Background Checks
PA State Police Report:

PA State Police Criminal Record Checks are free for volunteers and cost approximately 22.00 for those who are paid.  They can be obtained online by visiting the State Police web site - Click Here.

Child Abuse History Report:

PA Child Abuse History Clearance requests may be made online - Click Here  They are free for volunteers and the cost is approximately 20.00 for those who are paid.

Volunteer Waiver Affidavit or FBI Criminal Background Check:
If you have been a been a PA resident for the last 10 years, you can submit the affidavit.  The document does need to be notarized.  If you have not lived in PA for the past 10 years, you will need to complete the FBI Clearances.  Both expenses are reimbursable from TJSC.

Volunteer Qualification Affidavit (PDF): Click Here

To request an FBI Fingerprint Clearance: Click Here   This link will take you to the page managed by Identogo for the Commonwealth of PA to help individuals attain an FBI clearance. The service code to apply for volunteer fingerprinting is 1KG6ZJ. The approximate cost will be $21.35.  

SafeSport
U.S. Soccer has developed the Safe Soccer Framework as a foundation from which all participants in the soccer community, be they athletes, coaches, referees, administrators, or volunteers, play an active role in creating an environment free from emotional, physical or sexual abuse. The Safe Soccer Framework is a comprehensive program of policies and process, screening, education and training, reporting, monitoring, and enforcement designed to help participants detect and report abuse, respond to it, and prevent future occurrences. This Framework applies to U.S. Soccer national level programs. Please seen Policy 212-3 below for information applicable to U.S. Soccer’s Organization Members.

Safesport has a refresher course that needs completed yearly.