NEW CLASS-A VOLUNTEERS

(COACHES/CHAPERONES/1:1’s for athletes)

HOW TO SIGN UP AND COMPLETE – SOPA Required Background Checks

STEP #1

Please go to the link below to complete the on-line SOPA volunteer registration application. Please be sure to check off that you are registering for the PHILADELPHIA PROGRAM and register as a “CLASS A VOLUNTEER”.

Click here to register: https://vsys.specialolympicspa.org/pages/app:newvolapp

STEP #2

Once your on-line application has been reviewed, you will receive an e-mail from the following

SOPA Address: ClassAPAVolunteerDisclosureStatement@specialolympicspa.org with instructions to print off and sign an attached Class A PA volunteer Disclosure Statement. Please be sure to sign (bottom of page 1 and page 2). It is very important that you have a witness signature on the form as well. You will need to scan and e-mail the completed disclosure statement to:

ClassAPAVolunteerDisclosureStatement@specialolympicspa.org and CC Michelle (mcordell@specialolympicspa.org)

If you have not been a full-time resident of Pennsylvania for the past 10 years. Please cross out the line in the first paragraph swearing that you have been a PA resident. You will need to obtain FBI clearance. Find the closest location to you at https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index.htm If you have done your FBI Clearance within the past 2 years please contact Michelle Cordell at 215-671-5021 or email her at mcordell@specialolympicspa.org

Once you receive your FBI clearance back please email your report to the email below: ClassAPAVolunteerDisclosureStatement@specialolympicspa.org

If for any reason you are unable to print out this form please contact Michelle Cordell at 215-671-5021 or email her at mcordell@specialolympicspa.org and she will mail the form to your home.

If you are not able to scan and email the form, please mail the form to our office, Special Olympics Philadelphia, 2900 Southampton Road

Philadelphia, PA 19154

STEP #3

Now that you signed, scanned and sent your Class A PA Disclosure form to SOPA you will be receiving an email from THEADVOCATES@verifiedvolunteers.com which will ask you to fill in some personal information to be able to run a Criminal Background Check also known as CRC.

YOU WILL THEN RECEIVE A RECEIPT FROM VERIFIED VOLUNTEERS –YOU ARE STILL NOT DONE you still need to complete STEP #4

STEP #4

You will now receive an email from arsupport@verifiedvolunteers.com which will direct you to the Child Welfare Portal site. This is a government safe site that will ask you more detailed personal information such as where you lived previous to your current residence. This is required to run the Child Abuse Check. You might not remember details such as where you lived 10 years ago, but do your best to complete as much information as you can. We apologize if this might seem a little lengthy but keep in mind these are government requirements that will keep not only our athletes safe, but you as well.

You will know you have completed the entire clearance process when you receive an email such as the EXAMPLE below.

Hello (NAME),

Thank you for your support.

We have received and attached the clearance from website.

Search closed as _(will have your status here___.

Thanks & Regards

ARSupport Team