Parish staff and volunteers (Catechists and Class Aides, Youth Ministry Volunteers, Choir and Cantors, Ushers, Greeters, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Fundraising workers - BINGO, Festival, Fish Fry, etc.) are required by the USCCB, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and Saints Joachim and Anne Parish to be fully compliant with Safe Environment Policy:
1. Be registered on the Virtus ®Online Safe Environment database (includes Pastoral Code of Conduct, Reporting of Sexual Abuse and the Child Protective Services Law of Pennsylvania, PA State Police Criminal Record Check)
2. Be cleared by the Department of Public Welfare (PA Child Abuse History Certification)
3. Be cleared by the FBI (waiver available for PA residents of the past 10+ consecutive years)
4. Complete an approved Protecting God's Children training session
5. Completed Mandated Reporter training (if required for your volunteer position)
The Protecting God's Children Seminar is a requirement of the USCCB, Diocese of Pittsburgh, and Saints Joachim and Anne Parish for all adults 18 years of age or older who are involved in the public work of the church. For more information regarding Protecting God's Children, please call our Safe Environment Coordinator, Jeannie Premozic at 412-751-0663 or [email protected]
Child Abuse Hotline: 1-888-808-1235
Safe Environment requirements have been in place for many years. The message from the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) and the Diocese of Pittsburgh is clear: 100% compliance is mandatory.
“I volunteer for just a few hours a year. Do I really need to go through all this?”
Your service is needed. Your service is appreciated. But no one will be scheduled or permitted to serve until all clearances are in place and up to date.
“Can I help at the fish fry/bingo/festival if my clearances are ‘in progress’”?
No. Every new volunteer must be 100% in compliance before beginning volunteer service. This means being registered on the Safe Environment Database, with Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and FBI clearance or waiver. However, you have 90 days from the time you register on the Safe Environment Database to complete the Protecting God’s Children training, and, if required for your volunteer position, the Mandated Reporter Training. Current volunteers must renew their Pennsylvania Child Abuse History and FBI clearance or waiver every five years. Volunteers are informed when renewal is due. Respond promptly to ensure your volunteer service can continue uninterrupted. Pennsylvania Child Abuse History clearances can be obtained as quickly as a few minutes when submitted online.
“I have clearances from my employment/another volunteer organization. Can I submit them?”
Copies of Pennsylvania Child Abuse History and FBI clearances obtained for another organization may be submitted if they were issued less than five years ago. You will still have to register on the Safe Environment Database and complete Protecting God’s Children training, and, if required for your volunteer position, the Mandated Reporter Training.
“I’m not a criminal. Why do I have to prove it?”
The great majority of us are not criminals. The Safe Environment process raises our awareness of the very serious problems of child abuse and helps us understand what we can do to protect children. The welfare of children, youth and vulnerable adults is the focus and the goal of the safe environment program. Everything we do, we do for them.
“This isn’t the way it has been done before.”
Differences in how these requirements have been enforced from parish to parish and pastor to pastor have led to confusion. Our Safe Environment Coordinator will be working with organization and event coordinators to identify and assist each volunteer as needed to reach 100% compliance.
“My criminal record check will show an incident from many years ago that has nothing to do with the safety of children. Does that mean I can’t volunteer? Who will know about it?”
Any criminal record check that includes a past incident is reviewed by the Secretary for the Secretariat for the Protection of Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults. There are three possible results depending on the nature of the crime and how long ago it occurred: approved, restricted, or rejected. If a person is approved, he or she may volunteer in any position. The Safe Environment Coordinator will inform the Pastor. If restricted, a letter explaining the restriction will be sent to the person for his or her signature, (e.g. someone with a DUI on their record from many years ago may be restricted from operating a motor vehicle with anyone under 18 as a passenger). The Safe Environment Coordinator will alert the Pastor and the volunteer’s supervisor so that they are aware of the restriction. This information is kept in the strictest confidence and Safe Environment files are kept under lock and key. If the incident indicates that the person is a danger to children, he or she will not be permitted to have any access whatsoever to a child. He or she will be rejected from volunteer service.
“I don’t want anyone to know about my criminal record history.”
A person is free to withdraw from the background check process at any time without explanation. Currently there are 400+ volunteers in our database. Interest in volunteering and ability to serve changes over time based on life circumstances. Letting the Safe Environment Coordinator know that you will not be completing requirements or renewing clearances is nothing out of the ordinary. Volunteer Coordinators for parish events will be notified only as to whether or not a person is in 100% compliance, and therefore permitted to volunteer, or not.
“I don’t have a computer/internet access.”
The entire Safe Environment process can be accessed through VIRTUSONLINE.ORG. At this time, the Protecting God’s Children and Mandated Reporter Training are both available only online. Those without internet access can register on the database and complete the clearance applications with the assistance of the Safe Environment Coordinator by phone, and paperwork can be mailed to you for your review and signature. Online training sessions can be completed at our St. Eugene Church office by appointment. Contact Jeannie at 412-751-0663 for information, questions, or to begin the process. Thank you for your service!