We Welcome Volunteers!
Updated 11/05/26:
At Glendale Adventist Academy, we believe it takes a community to help our students grow, learn, and thrive! Our volunteers play an invaluable role in making GAA a special place. Whether you're chaperoning a field trip, helping in the classroom, supporting school events, or sharing your time and talents, we are grateful for you!
The safety and well-being of our students is always our priority. To help maintain a safe and nurturing environment, all individuals wishing to volunteer in roles requiring clearance must complete GAA's volunteer clearance process before participating.
Ready to get started? We've outlined everything you need below to make the process as simple as possible. Thank you for being part of what makes our GAA family so wonderful!
Clearance Process
1) Complete the GAA Volunteer Acknowledgment Form
Because our society is filled with pain, problems, and litigation caused by improper conduct of individuals working with children and youth, it is imperative that those working with children have meaningful guidelines for conduct in order to protect both themselves and those under their care. As a ministry volunteer, you want parents and others to feel comfortable and confident with you.
2) Complete Your Live Scan Background Check
Live Scan is a fingerprint-based background check used to help ensure a safe environment for our students. Fingerprints must be run against the FBI and DOJ databases.
Download GAA's Live Scan Request Form and take it to an authorized Live Scan provider. Once completed, keep your receipt as proof of fingerprint submission.
3) Complete Mandated Reporter Training
Volunteers must complete the mandated reporter training required by GAA and provide a certificate of completion. Create an account on the website linked below and select the training "Volunteers (Religious Organization)."
4) Complete the CALVECHS Waiver
Complete and sign the required CALVECHS authorization/waiver form so your clearance information can be processed through the appropriate channels.
Ready to submit your paperwork?
Please submit all four required documents to administration@glendaleacademy.org in one email. Please do not submit physical copies.
- GAA Volunteer Agreement
- Live Scan Form
- Mandated Reporter Certificate
- CalVECHS Waiver
You've Submitted Docs — Now What?
1. GAA Reviews Your Documents
Our school office reviews your GAA Volunteer Agreement, Live Scan receipt, Mandated Reporter Training Certificate, and signed CALVECHS Waiver to ensure your submission is complete.
2. Clearance Verification
Once all required documents have been received, GAA forwards your name through our established clearance verification process with the Southern California Conference (SCC).
3. Final Clearance Confirmation
Clearance verification typically takes up to 3–4 weeks, although processing times may vary.
Once your clearance has been confirmed, a GAA staff member will notify you that you are approved to volunteer.
A friendly reminder: A Live Scan receipt confirms that your fingerprints were submitted; it does not confirm that your background check has been cleared. Please wait for GAA's final approval before volunteering.
4. After Approval
Every time you volunteer, please remember to check-in at the main office and obtain a visitor's badge. Thank you!
FAQs
Do I need to complete the clearance process if I'm only volunteering once?
Yes. Per the Southern CA Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, all schools and churches operating under its umbrella must ensure that all volunteers, regardless of hours spent in contact with minors, must comply with the full volunteer process.
I've already completed Live Scan for my church or another organization. Do I need to do it again?
Possibly. Fingerprint clearance is generally only tied to the organization authorized to receive the results. If you previously completed Live Scan through an SCC-affiliated organization, please contact our office so we can determine whether your clearance can be verified through the appropriate channels.
Do I need to complete Mandated Reporter Training every year?
Yes. California's new requirements under Senate Bill 848 (SB 848) took effect for private schools on July 1, 2026, including Glendale Adventist Academy.
Under California Education Code § 44691:
- Annual training: School volunteers who qualify as mandated reporters must complete training annually.
Do I need to submit a new Live Scan every year?
Not necessarily. If your previous clearance remains valid and can be verified through the appropriate organization, a new fingerprint submission may not be required. Most Live Scans remain valid for 5+ years.
Can I volunteer while my clearance is pending?
No. Volunteers must receive confirmation from GAA that they are cleared before participating in activities requiring clearance.
What if I've already submitted some of my documents in the past?
Since processes have evolved and office staff have changed over the years, we recommend that you first double check with our office. We have now begun digitizing all records and aim to maintain an accurate database going forward.
Will this process change in the near future?
GAA complies with both California state requirements and the requirements of our parent organization the Southern CA Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. When we are notified of procedural changes, we will update this website.
