Clearances

Clearances

All students taking CGSC379 and/or CGSC380 must complete clearances by the first day of the semester in which they are enrolled in the above-referenced courses. Students will not be provided with contact information or procedures for scheduling observations unless these processes are complete. If these clearances are not completed in a timely manner you will also be asked to drop the course for which they are required.

• Criminal background clearance

• TB clearance

Criminal Background Clearances

All students taking a course requiring field observations must have a valid criminal background clearance (CBC) on file in the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science by the first day of the semester. CBCs are only valid for one year (see table below). If you do not have a valid CBC on file by the first day of the semester, then you will be instructed to drop your course(s).

The CBC should be completed before you leave campus in the semester prior to taking a course with a field placement (e.g., initiate the check by May for the Fall semester and by December for the Spring semester). Please note that it can take up to six weeks to for the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science to receive the results of your CBC from the state police.

Will A Background Clearance For An Employer Clear Me?

A background clearance for an employer will not clear you. Most places of employment, even those that work with children and youth (e.g., the Early Learning Center), do not require the level of clearance necessary for our purposes.

If you been cleared in the past, has My Criminal Background Clearance Expired?

Use the table below as an example to determine if your CBC is valid. You should keep a copy of your CBC, giving you a record of the date of your last check.

ALL CLEARANCES COMPLETED BEFORE JUNE 30, 2018 ARE NO LONGER VALID

Where Do I Go To Complete The Criminal Background Clearance?

Go to a Delaware fingerprinting facility.  See below*. Ask for a "Delaware Personal Background Check”.  The cost is $52. There is a portion of the form that asks if the fingerprintee would like a copy sent to anyone else.  Complete that portion of the form as follows:

N. Straitman

University of Delaware

Linguistics and Cognitive Sciences

125 E. Main Street

Newark, DE 19711

• *Troop 2, on Route 40, in Bear, just west of the Fox Run Shopping Center, between routes 72 and 896, across from the Glasgow walking park and next to the YMCA. The hours of operation are: · Mon, Wed, Thurs, and Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. · Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. · For Questions or to Schedule an Appointment, call (302) 739-2528.) or

• Kent County (no appointment needed except for DPC Applicants). The Kent County office is located at 655 South Bay Road, Suite 1B, Dover, DE 19901, in the Blue Hen Corporate Center. Enter the road between Kent County Levy Court and Firestone, then follow the fingerprint signs. Hours of operation are: · Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. · Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. · For Questions or to Schedule an Appointment, call (302) 739-5871

The results of the completed certified criminal history will not be returned the same day. In fact, results may take up to 6 weeks to reach Straitman.  BEGIN THE PROCESS. You are not cleared until documentation is in our hands.

Items To Take To Your Appointment

You will need to take the following items to your appointment.

The completed Criminal History Record Check Authorization Form

At least one form of photo identification, such as a Driver’s License, School ID, or State ID. You do not need to bring a social security card or a birth certificate.

Payment of $52 in the form of cash or credit card/debit card. Personal checks, money orders, and American Express are not accepted.  There is a portion of the form where you may designate that someone else receives a copy.  Complete that portion of the form as follows:  

N. Straitman

University of Delaware

Linguistics and Cognitive Sciences

125 E. Main Street

Newark, DE 19711

Questions?

Please feel free to contact the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science at linguistics@udel.edu and type “fingerprinting” in the subject line if you have any questions.

TB Clearance

All students taking a course requiring field observations must have a cleared TB test on file with Student Health Services at Laurel Hall before the first day of the semester. Please note that a Tine or Monovac Test cannot be substituted for the TB Test.

You may be asked to provide a paper copy of your TB test results to the school nurse if you observe in a school setting. Please be sure to keep a copy of your test for your own records.

Has My TB Test Expired?

Use the table below to determine if your TB test is valid for the semester in which you are enrolled in relevant course(s). Your TB test needs to be on file with Student Health Services at Laurel Hall. Your results can be hand-delivered or faxed to Student Health at 302-831-6407.

How Do I Find Out the Date of My Last TB Test?

1. Go to the Student Health Home Page  http://www.udel.edu/studenthealth/

2. Click on “Secure Student Access” on the upper right corner of the page.

3. Log in using your University of Delaware user name and password.

4. Enter your date of birth when prompted.

5. Select immunizations on the left.

6. View your latest immunizations and TB testing. Confirm that your most recent test meets the requirements in the table above. If your test is no longer valid, then follow the directions below to complete a current TB test.

How Do I Get a TB Test?

Student Health Services:

Click here for directions to schedule your TB test online at Student Health Services at Laurel Hall. You will be making your appointment through your online Student Health Services account. Please note that the system searches only one week in advance for available appointments. If you have problems making an appointment online, please call 831-4150 to make an appointment.

Student Health Services will provide TB clinics in September and May. These dates are reserved for students in teacher education and other majors who need to complete the TB test. We recommend that you take advantage of these clinics and schedule your TB test on one of these days.

The cost of completing the TB test at Student Health Services is $10 for full-time students and $12 for part-time students.  Student Health will bill your insurance company.

Testing Done By Your Health Care Provider:

If you complete the TB test off-campus, please have your health care provider complete the TB Clearance Form or provide appropriate documentation. Please make sure that the provider includes all of the data (e.g., dates, measurement) that is on the TB Clearance Form so that you are cleared. Take the completed form to Student Health Services located at Laurel Hall or fax it to them at 302-831-6407.

Do I Need To Complete a New TB Test If I Traveled?

If you traveled or lived for more than one month in another country since your last TB test, consult the TB Test and Traveling web page to see the list of countries that would not require you to complete a new TB test.

Questions?

Please feel free to contact the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science at linguistics@udel.edu and type “TB test” in the subject line if you have any questions.

Do I Need To Complete Child Protective Services Registry check?

As an observer, you are defined as “volunteer” in Delaware code (the law defining procedures and responsibilities applying to the protective service process.)

If never left alone with a child, whether or not you complete a Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance is at the discretion of the employer.    CPS is not permitted by code to proactively clear observers, except for student teachers.  So, what was in place for past students of CGSC 379 and CGSC380 is no longer the case.

• If requested, you will be provided with a form from each place you intend to observe

• You will complete the form and submit via fax (fax number appears on the form)  to Child Protective Services.

• It may take as many as 15 days to complete the CPS check.  In other words, you MUST plan ahead!

Summary

1. Start the Criminal Background clearance process no later than May 1, 2019 for Fall, 2019.

2. Get a TB test either from your personal healthcare provider or from Student Health by May 1, 2019.  If you get checked at Student Health, ask them to send a copy to Straitman, LING/CGSC. Documentation must include date injected, date read,  interpretation & induration period, the name of the facility. If you had a positive test, then you must document results after you were cleared; send those to Straitman, LING/CGSC as well.,      

3. If you’ve had a TB test within the last 3 years, obtain a copy of the results to send to Straitman.  If your test was done at Student Health, you can go online to your Student Health record and send an e-copy to Straitman.

4. Make a wish list re: schools, hospitals, clinics, etc. where you may want to observe.  Further instructions will be provided early in the semester regarding obtaining and completing the CPS Registry form.