WTAA Coaching Application & Background Clearance Process

Thank you for volunteering to coach with the Williams Township Athletic Association (WTAA). Your commitment to our athletes is greatly appreciated.

Pennsylvania law requires background clearances for anyone who has direct contact with children.

⚠️ You must complete ALL required steps before you may coach or participate with a team.

STEP 1

Submit the WTAA Coaching Application

  • All coaches must complete the WTAA Coaching Application.
  • This step must be completed every season, even if your clearances are still valid.
  • This allows the WTAA Commissioners and Board of Directors to:
    • Review coaching candidates
    • Approve head coaches and assistants
    • Roster coaches into TeamSnap

    ⚠️  Coaches must be approved by the WTAA Board before participating.

WTAA COACHING APPLICATION

STEP 2

Complete Protect Youth Sports Background Check

( Every 5 Years)

  • If your clearances are older than 5 years, complete a background check through Protect Youth Sports. The screening includes:
    • SSN Verification & Address History Trace
    • National Criminal Database Search
    • National Sex Offender Registry Search
    • AKA/Alias National Search Screenings
  • Background Check Fee: $25.
  • If financial assistance is needed, the WTAA may reimburse the fee upon written request.
BACKGROUND CHECK

STEP 3

Complete the PA Child Abuse Clearance

  • After submitting the background check, you will receive an email from Protect Youth Sports containing a code.
  • Use the code and link in email to complete the clearance through the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Portal (link below.)
  • The code sent by Protect Youth Sports is needed to get your certificate.

⚠️  Important: Many volunteers miss this email and believe they are finished. Your clearance is not complete until this stop is finished.

PA WELFARE PORTAL

STEP 4

Email Your Certificate

  • After completing the Child Abuse Clearance, you will receive a PDF certificate.
  • You must email the certificate to Protect Youth Sports using the email address provided in their message and cc the WTAA President at wtaapresident18042@gmail.com

⚠️ If you do not email the certificate, it will not be applied to your background check.

RECOMMENDED STEPS TO AVOID DELAYS

To make the process smoother, we recommend the following:

1️⃣ Complete the entire process in one sitting. This prevents losing the code email.

2️⃣ Watch for the second email from Protect Youth Sports. It contains the code needed for the Child Abuse Clearance.

3️⃣ Check your spam or promotions folder if you do not see the email.

4️⃣ Download the Child Abuse Clearance PDF immediately.

5️⃣ Email the PDF to Protect Youth Sports right away.

 PA House Bill

Pennsylvania Act 15 of 2015 requires background checks for individuals who have direct contact with children. You can review the requirements here. FAQs.

Protect Youth Sports Logo

Questions

If you are unsure whether your clearances are still valid, contact the sport's commissioner.