How We Protect Your Children

CEF^® is very careful for the safety of the children. We know that perverts will try to position themselves around children, so we must be careful.

First, we screen all applicants. All must fill out the following forms, then we check references and do background checks prior to putting them with children. Click on the button on the right to view the forms (PDF file requires Adobe Reader which you can download by clicking here). The forms contain the following...

1. Cover Letter with Interview Questions - a checklist to make sure you have everything. The interview form will ask if you have read our policies and listened to a toll-free phone message.
2. Confidential Screening Form - Designed by CEF, this form asks about motivation, recent church affiliation, references, etc.
3. Background Authorization Form - This provides us key information and the legal right to investigate criminal history records, sex-crime registry, previous addresses, etc.
4. Child Protection Policy Fact Sheet - Designed to help volunteers know how to prevent and handle problems, we insist that each worker declare they have read and understood it by saying yes on the interview form.
5. Statement of Faith - Designed to protect the ministry of CEF, this form is a summary of basic Bible truths. Please read it carefully and make sure you agree fully before you sign it. Genuine believers from numerous denominations accept these truths, though all hold additional doctrines. Since CEF is an interdenominational ministry, denominational emphases are taught in volunteers’ churches, but not in our ministries. All CEF workers must sign this form annually.
6. PA Act 151 Authorization for Child Abuse History Screening - You will be told if you need this form. This form is used to do the more costly official screenings by the Pennsylvania government (Act 34 on line and Act 151 by mail). To serve in Clinton County schools, we must have copies of new certificates annually, but most ministries in Centre County do not need them. Each of these two clearances costs us $10. You may get these clearances on your own:
   1. Get the Act 34 clearance at The Pennsylvania State Police website
   2. Print 3 copies of the certificate
   3. Print and fill out the 151 application form in our downloadable packet
   4. Send it, along with the state police certificate and a $10 money order to the address shown
   5. Give us a copy of both certificates when they come to you
   Or simply give us the completed 151 application form and we can do it.

Child Evangelism Fellowship of Centre & S. Clinton Counties
539 Jacksonville Rd
Bellefonte, PA 16823.

Second – Classroom policies

1. Our two-adult rule requires that no CEF person may be alone with children without other adults in clear sight
2. CEF groups must be easily visible. Doors must be unlocked and accessible to staff and others who check out our clubs. There should be windows in doors and/or to the outside.

We require that the classrooms that are used for teaching have an openly visible window and that the door remains unlocked at all times. To be sure this is followed, a CEF supervisor will randomly visit CEF programs.