This email newsletter update provides helpful information from the Bureau of Certification.
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Important Message from Tanya Vasquez, Director, 
Bureau of Certification
 
Subject: New Vendor for Digital Fingerprinting and What It Means for You

Note: This announcement is a reissue which reflects the correct phone number of 1-844-321-2101 to pre-register for fingerprinting. We apologize for any confusion. 

The Commonwealth has transitioned to a new vendor for digital fingerprinting. The new vendor, IDEMIA, is now accepting registrations and completing Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprinting for Pennsylvania agencies. 

You are required to pre-register before you go to your fingerprinting site. Once pre-registered, you may walk in during a location's posted hours of operation or you can schedule an appointment in advance. You do not have to schedule an appointment, however, scheduling an appointment may lead to lesser/no wait times.  

To pre-register for an FBI Background Check and find a fingerprinting location, applicants should go to  www.identogo.com
 
IDEMIA uses Service Codes to identify the reason an applicant is being fingerprinted. This Service Code is required to complete the pre-registration process. For Child Care and other Early Learning Program Professionals, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has provided the following clarification identify the Service Code to be utilized.
 
If an applicant does not have a service code, this information, along with the description of other DHS service codes, are available on  www.KeepKidsSafe.pa.gov under  GET A CLEARANCE.
 
How to Pre-Register for Fingerprinting
  1. Go to www.identogo.com.
  2. Enter your zip code into the box labeled Find the nearest IdentoGO Center.
  3. Select the location most convenient to you. (You will have a chance to change this later in the process).
  4. Click Schedule an Appointment located in the blue box on the right-hand side of the page. An appointment is not required, but it is recommended.
  5. Click on Digital Fingerprinting on the lower left side of the page.
  6. Enter the appropriate code from below.
 
Service Code
Applicant Type
Department
OCDEL
1KG6ZJ DHS Volunteer Department of Human Services Unpaid individuals who are not included in the regulatory ratio in child care and other early learning programs.  The Volunteer Clearance cannot be used later for evidence of a clearance for employment purposes.
1KG738 Child Care Services/Program Employee or Contractor Department of Human Services Child Care Center and Group Child Care Center/Home Staff operating under 55 PA Code Chapters 3270 or 3280.   
1KG74S Family Child Care Home Provider Department of Human Services Family Child Care Home Staff operating under 55 PA Code Chapter 3290.
1KG756 Employee >=14 Years Contact w/ Children Department of Human Services Early Learning Programs such as Family Center, Head Start, or Home Visiting.
1KG78K Individual >=18 Years in Licensed Child Care Home Department of Human Services Non-staff persons who reside in the residence where child care services are offered under 55 PA Code Chapters 3270, 3280 or 3290.
 
After selecting the Service Code:
  1. Select Schedule or Manage Appointment on the new screen.
  2. Complete the fields for your name and contact information. Then click on Next until all registration pages are complete. 
  3. Select the Location and Time if scheduling an appointment. Appointments are not required, but are recommended.
  4. Select which documents you plan to use on the day of your appointment. Make sure you have them when you go for your fingerprinting.
  5. Payment is due at the time of fingerprinting. When pre-registering, indicate what form of payment you will be using at the fingerprinting site. 
  6. Money order, certified check, cash or credit card are accepted. Certified checks and money orders can be made payable to MorphoTrust.
  7. IMPORTANT! When you go to be fingerprinted, you will receive a receipt with your name, amount paid, and authorization number printed on the receipt. The receipt includes the date and time you were fingerprinted. The authorization number that prints on the receipt is the number that you can use to check their status on the IdentoGO site. This receipt can also be used as verification that you have applied for your FBI clearance.
Those without internet access can call 1-844-321-2101 to pre-register for fingerprinting.
Program Self Assessment Checklist to Support Certification Compliance 
 
OCDEL has released new user-friendly tools, designed to assist Child Care Center, Family and Group Child Care Home Providers in performing periodic reviews of their facility operations to achieve compliance with OCDEL certification regulations. When used regularly, these checklists can help to identify program strengths and gaps in the understanding of and compliance with OCDEL regulations.  View the Self Assessment Checklists and supporting webinar recording.
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning supports families 
and their children, from prenatal through school age, by using data, research and 
stakeholder guidance to assure high quality services.