OCDEL Releases CPSL Compliance Notice for DHS-Certified Facilities

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development and Bureau of Certification Services has released a new compliance notice regarding the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL).

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OCDEL’s Announcement C-25-01 informs certified child care providers of the CPSL requirements for Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care facilities. It also clarifies Provisional Hiring Requirements for employees hired on or after February 1. There is no change which clearances are required for employment or volunteering. 

Also outlined in the announcement are timeframes required for updating the required clearances as well as requirements for mandated reporter training and when a renewal of this training is required.

The announcement is aimed at all DHS-certified child care facilities, Early Learning Resource Centers, and OCDEL staff.

Next Steps

After reading the announcement, child care facilities must develop, communicate, and implement policies and procedures to adhere to regulations regarding professional development in health and safety topics. They must also ensure all staff have completed and documented pre-service trainings within 90 days of employment and prior to caring for children unsupervised.

Facilities must also ensure that all staff have completed and documented updated Pediatric First Aid and CPR training and mandated reporter training prior to expiration.

For all staff, appropriate documentation and verification of pre-service and ongoing professional development training of all child care staff is retained in the facility person’s file or maintained in an electronic PD Registry.

The full announcement is available on The Pennsylvania Key website.