Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Church Safety

In an effort to strengthen our church communities to be safe spaces for all people, Mosaic Conference works diligently to provide resources regarding preventing abuse, supporting all survivors and ensuring child protection.

Anyone who believes that a Mosaic minister has engaged in misconduct or ministerial sexual misconduct should contact the Mosaic Conference office (Marta Castillo – mcastillo@mosaicmennonites.org) to make a report. 

Salford Peace Camp

Pennsylvania’s Child Protection Law requires clearances on employees and volunteers who have “direct contact” with children and makes all those with frequent direct contact with children and all credentialed leaders (clergy) mandated reporters. Mosaic Conference has decided to implement the same requirements for all of the Conference’s credentialed leaders regardless of the state they live and serve in. Under this new law clearances are also required for other church volunteers. Understanding who needs clearances and getting all of the documents in order can be overwhelming. To aid in this process here are the need to know items.

If you have any questions regarding the needed clearances please feel free to contact the your Leadership Minister or Marta Castillo, Associate Executive Minister.


Who needs clearances?
All employees age 14 and older and volunteers over the age of 18 who have “direct contact” with a child or children. This includes all credentialed leaders regardless of their contact level with children. A child is defined by the law as anyone under the age of 18. Direct contact can be defined as those acting in lieu of or on behalf of a parent or guardian, someone providing care, guidance, supervision and or has routine interaction.
For Mosaic Conference congregations, individuals needing clearances include:

  • All credentialed leaders
  • Sunday School Teachers and assistants
  • Nursery volunteers
  • Any childcare worker during special events or service times
  • Youth sponsors/ leaders
  • Chaperones for events

What clearances need to be obtained?
Below you will find information and links to assist you in obtaining the necessary clearances for your state. Please note that your congregation, employer or Conference may require additional forms and background checks. Below are the ones required by law.

These background checks are valid under Pennsylvania law for five years. However, some organizations require them to be renewed yearly. Mosaic Conference requires credentialed leaders to renew their background checks every three years with a credential renewal cycle.

NOTE: all clearance information will be sent back to you and you are responsible for showing the original to your church and/or conference office.

All States:
It is expected that if an individual has lived in in their current state of residence for the last 10 years and/or is applying for a volunteer (unpaid) position that they would:

  • sign a Child Protection/Criminal Record Background Affirmation document, as they are not required to complete the FBI background check.

A sample of this document can be found here.  Also, Souderton Mennonite Church currently uses a “Volunteer Covenant” that can be viewed here. Regardless of the length of residency, all credentialed leaders in Mosaic Conference are required to complete FBI background checks.

One Source Background Check

Mosaic will send you a link to complete your personal information for the background check.

The link will be good for the span of one week.

If you need another link or have questions, please contact Stacey Mansfield – smansfield@mosaicmennonites.org.

When you submit your information, we will receive a copy of your background check.

If you would like to have a copy, please let us know.

The cost for this check is $22.  Please send the payment to the Mosaic Office – 1000 Forty Foot Road, Suite 100, Lansdale, PA 19446 or make a PayPal payment here.

One Source Background Check

Mosaic will send you a link to complete your personal information for the background check.  The link will be good for the span of one week.  If you need another link or have questions, please contact Stacey Mansfield – smansfield@mosaicmennonites.org.

When you submit your information, we will receive a copy of your background check.If you would like to have a copy, please let us know.

The cost for this check is $22.  Please send the payment to the Mosaic Office – 1000 Forty Foot Road, Suite 100, Lansdale, PA 19446 or make a PayPal payment here.

One Source Background Check

Mosaic will send you a link to complete your personal information for the background check.  The link will be good for the span of one week.

If you need another link or have questions, please contact Stacey Mansfield – smansfield@mosaicmennonites.org.

When you submit your information, we will receive a copy of your background check.  If you would like to have a copy, please let us know.

The cost for this check is $22.  Please send the payment to the Mosaic Office – 1000 Forty Foot Road, Suite 100, Lansdale, PA 19446 or make a PayPal payment here.

  1. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (SPA-164) can be obtained online through the Pennsylvania State Police web-based computer application called “Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History,” (PATCH) here: Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) website. Additional Instruction: NOTE: look for the “Certificate Link” once you have completed all the steps. The certificate is what is needed for those requesting your clearances. A sample can be seen here.  1) Click “Submit New Record”; 2) Complete the form and click “Next”; 3) Fill out additional information and click “Proceed”; 4) Complete form and click “Enter this Request”, then “Finished”; 5) On the next page click “submit”; 6) On the following page you will need to click the “control number” and on the final page click “certificate form.” 7) Save the certificate for your record and submit to the person/organization requesting your clearance.
  2. Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance can be submitted and paid for online through the Child Welfare Information Solution (CWIS) self-service portal.  You will need to create an “Individual Login” and then proceed with the required steps. Once your login is created you will need to login to submit a clearance request. Once your clearance is processed you will receive an email notifying you. At that time log in again and obtain a pdf of your certificate (sample here). This certificate is what is needed to prove you are cleared. Remember your login for the Child Welfare Information Solution self-service portal is vital as this portal is also where you will submit suspected child abuse.
  3. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Checks (Act 114) are processed through IDEMIA, and are required for individuals in paid positions OR volunteers who have lived outside of their current state of residence in the past 10 years. To complete this item you will need to register online and make an appointment to be fingerprinted.  CLICK HERE and enter the following Service Code: 1KG756.  From there, click “Schedule or Manage Appointment” and fill out the form.  Upon submission, the system will prompt you to enter your zip code and choose a location to schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted; if an appointment is unavailable you can choose to be a “walk-in.” You will be required to pay the fingerprinting fee of $27.50, and payment will need to be made on-site at the time of your fingerprinting; you cannot pay online. You will also need to present a valid U.S. driver’s license or one of the identification documents from this list at your appointment. Once you have been fingerprinted, you should receive a certificate in the mail in 6-8 weeks.

One Source Background Check

Mosaic will send you a link to complete your personal information for the background check.  The link will be good for the span of one week.

If you need another link or have questions, please contact Stacey Mansfield – smansfield@mosaicmennonites.org.

When you submit your information, we will receive a copy of your background check.  If you would like to have a copy, please let us know.

The cost for this check is $22.  Please send the payment to the Mosaic Office – 1000 Forty Foot Road, Suite 100, Lansdale, PA 19446 or make a PayPal payment here.

  1. Virginia Criminal Record can be obtained via mail, certified results are required. Requests should be submitted on a SP-167 form. Purpose is Employment. “Mail Reply To:” Can either be yourself or your congregation or Conference.  There is a $20.00 fee that can be paid online or via company check or money order to: Department of State Police, P. O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23261-5076.
  2. VA Department of Social Service Central Registry Form should be completed and submitted. Instructions and the form to request your background search can be found here. “Mail Search Results To” should be your congregation or Conference. Note: This form needs to be notarized.
  3. National Child Protection Act FBI National Record Check requires that you submit a fingerprint card. 1)  Go to the IdentoGO website and enter the following Service Code: 1KG756.  2) Click “Submit A Fingerprint Card By Mail” and fill out the form. For “Employer Information” enter your congregation or Conference’s information.  For “Would you like to locate the IdentoGO Enrollment Center nearest you?” Click “Yes.” On the “Location” section select “Mail A Fingerprint Card”. 3) Complete the Payment information. 4) Go to the appropriate site to get your fingerprints taken. 5) Follow the instructions for mailing in the Fingerprint cards. 6) When you receive the results in the mail, send them to your church or Conference. NOTE: If there is not an IdentoGo location near you, you are able to have your finger prints taken through the Virginia State Police. You must complete the following form to obtain your fingerprint cards: COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA – DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE REQUEST FOR FINGERPRINTS.
  1. STATE CRIMINAL CLEARANCE: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), is the central repository for criminal history information for the state of Florida. A criminal history check can be requested at https://shield.fdle.state.fl.us/shield/app/ecorsp?7.
  2. CHILD ABUSE CLEARANCE: Background screening for Child Abuse Clearances for clergy in the State of Florida is not currently available, and is therefore waived for Florida residents.
  3. FBI FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE: An Identity History Summary must be requested from the FBI by applying for the request and submitting fingerprint card. A step-by-step process for starting the application process and obtaining fingerprints can be found at https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/. You must enter an email address to begin the process; look for the blue box that says “Enter your e-mail address to get started!”

One Source Background Check

Mosaic will send you a link to complete your personal information for the background check.  The link will be good for the span of one week.  If you need another link or have questions, please contact Stacey Mansfield – smansfield@mosaicmennonites.org.

When you submit your information, we will receive a copy of your background check.  If you would like to have a copy, please let us know.

The cost for this check is $22.  Please send the payment to the Mosaic Office – 1000 Forty Foot Road, Suite 100, Lansdale, PA 19446 or make a PayPal payment here.

Healthy Boundaries

Healthy boundaries are a gift. They are helpful guidelines that give shape to our relationships. God set boundaries in the creation of the world, not to limit creation, but to protect it and let it flourish. Having healthy boundaries is a prevention to abuse. The Conference is committed to providing ongoing healthy boundary training for our credentialed leaders.

Find training resources on the FaithTrust Institute YouTube channel HERE.

Healthy Boundaries 101

Required for all credentialed leaders in Mosaic Conference who have not yet taken it (if you took 101 in the past, you do not need to repeat it).

Upcoming Healthy Boundaries 101 Training:

AMBS: Healthy Boundaries 101 | 8 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. ET | Instructor: Ed Kauffman

Maintaining healthy boundaries protects not only the congregation and congregants from clergy abuse and trauma, but also protects the pastor from burnout and misuse of their power and position. We will explore issues of power, relationships, and maintaining health. This training meets the requirements of MC USA for all pastors.

Register by Feb. 9 | Cost: $75 + $18 materials cost | Register Here

Healthy Boundaries 201

We encourage credentialed leaders to take Healthy Boundaries 201 training.

Upcoming Healthy Boundaries 201 Training:

FaithTrust Institute: Monday, January 10, 2024 from 9:00am to 4:30pm (EST)

  • Location: Goshen, IN (exact location TBD)
  • Instructors: Michael Danner & Nancy Kauffmann
  • Cost: In-person – $35 (includes lunch); Virtual – $25

Register Here



Mandated Reporter Training

Each state has their own laws regarding who is legally mandated to report suspected child abuse and neglect. Mosaic Conference holds that all credentialed leaders are ethically and biblically responsible to care for the most vulnerable and therefore even if not required by law should report any suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. All credentialed leaders in Mosaic Conference are therefore required to be trained in mandated reporting for the state in which they live/work.  See below for info on obtaining this training.

ALL CREDENTIALED LEADERS SHOULD PURSUE ONLINE TRAINING IN THEIR STATE OF RESIDENCE.

Complete the online training provided by the California Department of Social Service. If you are a credentialed leader you are required to complete both the General Training course and the Clergy Module. Instructions for both are below. To complete the training:

  1. Go to https://mandatedreportertraining.com/start-now/.
  2. Register for an individual.
  3. Choose the California Training.
  4. The training will take approximately 3 hours to complete.
  5. Please print out or save a copy of your electronic certificate to send to the office at office@mosaicmennonites.org.
  6. A final test is given at the conclusion that requires 80% or higher to pass. Upon passing, you will be able to print out a certificate of completion; note, this certificate is only valid if you have completed the general training already. Once you have completed this please provide both the General Training and Clergy Module Certificates to the Conference office.

Complete the 2-hour web-based online Mandated Reporter Training provided by The New York State Office of Children & Family Services. To do so complete the following steps:

  1. Create a STARS Human Service Learning Center account. Instructions and registration Instructions for New HSLC User can be found here.
  2. When you receive a username & password by email with a link to the HSLC homepage, visit the homepage and in the main menu, select “User”, then “My Registration” and you will be directed to the current registration page. Click the mandated reporter class title in the grid and then click on the link below “Content” to start the class.
  3. You must complete the class within 30 days. You will receive a certificate of completion after taking the course; please provide a copy of this certificate to the Conference.

Complete the online training provided by Mandated Reporter Training website.

  1. Go to https://mandatedreportertraining.com/start-now/.
  2. Register for an individual.
  3. Choose the New Jersey Training.
  4. Choose General Training.
  5. The training will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete.
  6. A final test is given at the conclusion that requires 80% or higher to pass. Upon passing, you will be able to print out a certificate of completion.
  7. Please print out or save a copy of your electronic certificate to send to the office at office@mosaicmennonites.org.

Click here to take the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center’s online training.

Mandated Reporter Training – PA  (in Spanish)

Complete the online training provided by the Vermont Agency of Human Services-Department for Children & Families. To do so:

  1. Go to https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1087433 – fill out the form to enter the webcast, or log in if you have previously registered.
  2. This training takes about 2 hours to complete, and participants will be given a final test to receive a Certificate of Completion; A copy of this certificate must be provided to the Conference if you are credentialed with Mosaic Mennonite Conference.

Review A Guide for Mandated Reporters In Recognizing And Reporting Child Abuse And Neglect and complete the online training provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services. To do so:

  1. Go to https://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cps/mandated_reporters/cwse5692/story.html to begin the course. Because no certificate is offered at the end, credentialed leaders are required to sign and return an Affirmation Form and a copy of the final training screen showing a 90% or higher score on the training quiz for their credential credit. The Affirmation Form can be accessed here.
  2. It is advised that all credentialed leaders and anyone working with children familiarize themselves with A Guide for Mandated Reporters In Recognizing And Reporting Child Abuse And Neglect.

The State of Florida offers a one-hour online course, “Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect”. Go to https://www3.fl-dcf.com/rcaan/ and click “New User” to create an account, which will track your progress through the course.

Mandated Reporter Training for Maryland: https://training.reportabusemd.com/

Congregational Misconduct:

Confidential Communication with Clergy Regarding Child Safety:

Holding a Sunday Service on Child Safety:

(All books listed below are available at the Conference Center Library for checkout, unless otherwise noted.)

Child Protection Resources:

Books to use with Children
Helpful Websites for Parents
Presentations/Handouts
Websites
  • Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) – NOVA is a nonprofit organization that helps victims of all types of crime and is local to Bucks County, Pennsylvania
  • Keep Kids Safe PA – is the Pennsylvania government website with all information related to the new child protection laws enacted in 2015.

General Addressing/ Preventing Abuse of All People Resources:

Articles
Books (also see reading lists from Faith Trust Institute)
Websites

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