Swearer Center for Public Service

Background & Clearance Checks For Providence Public Schools

Background & Clearance Checks For Providence Public Schools

When engaging with Providence Public Schools (PPSD) and working with minors, you must complete specific requirements before starting your placement.

Swearer-affiliated students can complete these processes at Engagement Preparation Days. Please follow the instructions below to complete these requirements for engaging with PPSD.

 ConsiderationsInstructions for Swearer Students
RI State Background Check InvestigationAny 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.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 & AcknowledgmentAll 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.

PSD 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.
DCYF (Department of Children, Youth & Families) Clearance CheckRequired by PPSD for all school volunteering (tutoring, etc.)

Facility Name: 
Swearer Center/Brown University
Mailing Address: 
2 Stimson Ave, Providence, RI 02912
Email Address: swearer-operations@brown.edu
Phone Number: 401-863-5457

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.

You can complete and pay for your DCYF Clearance request online here. 

What is the RI State Background Check?What does it look for?
  1. The RI State background check is a criminal history check performed using a person’s name and date of birth.
  2. The scope of the check is only in the state of Rhode Island. It will not indicate if a person has an out-of-state criminal offense.
  • Jurisdiction where record is recorded
  • Case number
  • Defendant
  • Charge
  • Filing date
  • Degree of offense (ex. misdemeanor)
  • Disposition and date
  • Sentence

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.
  • Physical Abuse
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Physical Endangerment
  • Improper ethical guidance
  • Lack of supervision
  • Medical abuse
  • Deprivation of basic needs
  • Educational neglect
  • Emotional conflict
  • Psychological neglect

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.

PPSD Policies and Acknowledgment Forms

What is the DCYF Clearance Check?What does it look for?
  1. The DCYF Clearance Check uses a person’s name, date of birth and address. 
  2. The scope of the check is only through the RI DCYF database and records within the state of Rhode Island. It will not indicate if a person has an out-of-state criminal offense.
  • House of Child welfare check 
  • Convictions of sex offense with children in RI
  • Child abuse 
  • Child neglect 

Contact Us

We are here to help with any questions you may have about this process. Contact swearer-operations@brown.edu with any questions.