Safe Sanctuaries

Creating a safe, loving environment is one of the foundations of what we do as God's people. Developing an atmosphere that protects our children is critical. We, as Christians, must be diligent about this task. The Western Pennsylvania Conference highly recommends that every church adopts and implements a Safe Sanctuary Policy and creates a Safe Sanctuary environment within the church facility and throughout its ministry.
 

On this page are resources to your church implement its own Safe Sanctuaries policy. 
 
The following publication will help in this work:

Safe Sanctuaries, Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church and for Children and Youth  by Joy Thornburg Melton
Find this book on Amazon                              Find it at Cokesbury

How to Obtain FBI Clearances, Pennsylvania Criminal History and Child Abuse Clearances

FBI Clearance Process
Applicants MUST register prior to going to a fingerprinting site.  Registration can be completed either on the phone or online.
1.     The Website to register is www.pa.cogentid.com and is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
2.     Telephone registration is available at 1-888-439-2486, Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm EST.
3.     Applicants may receive a confirmation number.
4.     The fee for the FBI clearance is $33.00 and can be made online with a credit card or by bringing a Money Order/Cashiers Check payable to “Cogent Systems” to the Fingerprinting site.  No cash or personal checks will be accepted.