Swearer-affiliated students can complete these processes at Engagement Preparation Days! All other students can use the information below to complete the process on their own. Please follow the instructions below to complete these requirements for engaging with PPSD.
Swearer Center for Public Service
Background & Clearance Checks For Providence Public Schools
| Type of Clearance | Considerations | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| RI State Background Check Investigation | Any student over 18 engaging with minors or vulnerable populations must have a state background check (BCI). Students under 18, and/or do not have a government ID cannot receive the RI state background check. | The best way to obtain a RI State Background Check is to visit the Attorney General's Office at 4 Howard Avenue (in the Pastore Complex), Cranston, RI 02920. Please be sure to bring your government-issued ID (license, state ID, passport, etc.). The AG office can conduct your RI State BCI for ~$5.00 (processing fees bring it up to around $5.60), which can be paid by debit/credit card. They do not accept cash. If you are a Swearer-affiliated student, you can send an e-copy of your clearances to email to swearer-operations@brown.edu, who will retain an electronic copy on your behalf. |
| Mandated Reporter Training & Acknowledgment | All students engaging with minors must complete the training. PPSD requires volunteers engaging with minors to sign a form acknowledging their role under this state law. For the training to be considered complete, a score of 6 must be achieved. | Sign up for a student account on TopHat by using your Brown SSO credentials, and then complete the virtual Mandated Reporter training by scrolling through the PPT slides and answering questions. For the training to be considered complete, a score of 6 must be achieved. |
| PPSD Confidentiality Agreement | Review and signature of these agreement forms are required of students engaging with PPSD. | Sign and email the agreement forms to swearer-operations@brown.edu or your site supervisor/site leader. |
| DCYF (Department of Children, Youth & Families) Clearance Check | Required by PPSD for all school volunteering (tutoring, etc.) | You can complete and pay for your DCYF Clearance request online here. If you are a Swearer-affiliated student, please use the following information: Facility Name: Swearer Center/Brown University Your clearance will be sent directly to the Swearer Center Operations Team. If you require a copy of your clearance, please email swearer-operations@brown.edu at least two business days after completing the online process. |
| What is the RI State Background Check? | What does it look for? |
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Rhode Island State Background Checks are required for students who will engage with minors (under the age of 18) and/or vulnerable populations through organizations that require this type of check.
| What is a Mandated Reporter? | What do volunteers look for? |
| All persons in Rhode Island are required by law (RIGL §40-11-3) to report known or suspected cases of child abuse and/or neglect to the Department of Children, Youth and Families within 24 hours of becoming aware of such abuse/neglect. |
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Any individual engaging with minors under the age of 18 is required to complete a virtual Mandated Reporter training on TopHat, the Swearer Center's e-learning platform.
- For the training to be considered complete, a score of 6 must be achieved.
- The Swearer Center maintains a list of students who have completed this virtual training for compliance tracking purposes.
- While we invite students to review the training each year, it must only be completed once during a student's tenure at Brown.
All students planning to engage with the Providence Public School District (PPSD) must review and sign these acknowledgment forms. The agreements dictate that volunteers will protect confidential student and employee information protected by, but not limited to, FERPA and HIPAA.
| What is the DCYF Clearance Check? | What does it look for? |
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