OLTL Issues Clarification on Background Checks

OLTL Issues Clarification on Background Checks

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Last week, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) issued the following message to clarify criminal history background checks and child abuse history requirements:

In accordance with 55 Pa. Code § 52.19(d), hiring policies shall be in accordance with the PA Department of Aging’s (PDA) Older Adults Protective Services Act policy as posted on the PDA website. The Criminal History Background Checks page of the PDA website contains an OAPSA and Act 28 Summary, which summarizes criminal history background checks. The process is as follows:

All applicants must submit to a PA State Police (PSP) criminal history background check. Applicants can use the online process at Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) or mail the request with a money order or cashier’s check made payable to “Commonwealth of PA” to the State Police for processing. If there is no criminal record, the PSP will forward a letter stating the same. If there is a criminal record, the PSP will forward a copy of the rap sheet to the requester.

If the applicant has not been a PA resident for the two consecutive years before application, they will need to have a PSP criminal history background check completed and an FBI Background Check. All requests for FBI background checks must be made directly through 3MCogent Systems, a 3rd party electronic background check processor contracted by the Department of Aging. The fingerprinting registration process is conducted through Cogent online. The fee for the FBI background check is $23.00. The fingerprints will be forwarded to the FBI for processing by PDA. When the application has been processed by the FBI, the results will be returned to PDA. PDA will send letters to both the facility & applicant. The applicant will receive a copy of the FBI criminal history record information if applicable.
Note: It’s possible that the fee for FBI background checks cited above could change over time.

In addition, agency employees who will be providing services in a home where children reside must also obtain a Child Abuse History Certification from the PA Department of Human Services (DHS). Child Abuse History Certifications are obtained online at the Child Welfare Portal, or through the PA DHS ChildLine and Abuse Registry, P.O. Box 8170, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-8170, (717) 783-6211 or toll free at (877) 371-5422. More information is available at the PA DHS Child Abuse History Certification website. Prior to provisionally hiring a person for employment as described in 55 Pa. Code Ch. 52.20, the clearances required prior to providing services in homes where children reside must be completed.

Any questions about the information in this listserv message should be sent electronically. You can also contact Fady Sahhar, Director of PD&A Division.

Fady Sahhar
Fady is responsible for policy and regulatory matters related to Physical Disabilities and Aging, with primary focus on personal assistance, employment services, and service coordination. Emphasis is placed on engaging the Office of Long-Term Living and the Community HealthChoices Managed Care Organizations, coordination of care with Behavioral HealthChoices MCOs, and collaborations with other advocacy and provider associations. Fady is also the President / CEO of ProVantaCare, an RCPA-affiliated company focused on contracting with MCOs, and is the President of XtraGlobex, a consulting firm focused on Value-Based Payment contracting. He brings extensive experience in the advocacy and operations of human services providers in physical disabilities and aging, from his role at Liberty Resources, Inc., and his service with a number of nonprofit services providers. He earned an MBA in Marketing from The University of Tennessee and a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Capella University.

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