Volunteer Clearances (Safe Environment)
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Welcome to Ministry! Our Safe Environment policy was created to ensure that all involved with parish-sponsored activities are capable of identifying and preventing abuse and have no personal history of behavior that would be a threat to our children and youth. The Safe Environment Policy applies to all 18 years of age and older who act in the name of the Church, under the auspices of the Diocese of Pittsburgh or one of its parishes- whether clergy, members of consecrated life, staff, or laity.
Please note: clearances are required for ALL, even if the ministry/volunteer activity does not directly involve children. Minstries that DO directly involve children have an additional training added to their requirements.
To view our protocol for reporting suspected child abuse, please choose from the following:- Parish Protocol for Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
- School Protocol for Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
For questions regarding these policies or help with the process of obtaining clearances,
please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator Jo Scheller
(contact information at the bottom of the page).
THANK YOU for taking the time to help us protect children and youth.
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Obtaining Your Clearances
All parents and adults wanting to participate in any school activities (field trips, classroom visits, cafeteria shifts, etc.) or any parish ministries (faith formation, youth ministry, social ministries, etc.) are required to complete and submit the following items below.
NOTE: Because these take some time, parents and adults are highly encouraged to start this process early so that clearances will be in place when activities arise.
Important Notes:
- Photocopies of clearances obtained through work or other volunteer positions are acceptable. Please submit copies by email (preferred method), or to the parish office, ATTN: Jo Scheller. NOTE: To mail copies, please send to Saint Mark Parish, Attn: Jo Scheller, 1304 E. Cruikshank Road, Butler, PA 16002)
- Most clearances are not formatted to work correctly on cell phones or iPads. Please use a regular laptop or desktop PC to avoid glitches.
- Allow 3 days for your clearances to be received and entered into your files by our staff. We are blessed to have a large parish with many needs.
- Once ALL of your clearances have been received, you will be sent a CONFIRMATION EMAIL. If you have not yet received this email, you have not been cleared for volunteering at this time.
- Clearances received are entered into your electronic record - this allows you to volunteer anywhere in the diocese without having to provide paper copies or transfer files.
- If you are unsure of your clearance status, please complete our online Clearance Review
- You will be contacted once your clearances are ready to be renewed. The PA Child Abuse report and the FBI (waiver or fingerprinting) clearances both renew every 5 years. "Protecting God's Children" online training needs renewed 3 years after the original training is completed. All other items are a one-time requirement.
Items to be on file:
- Diocesan Database (now through Virtus website)
- PA Child Abuse Clearance (valid for 5 years)
- FBI Fingerprinting or Waiver (valid for 5 years)
- Protecting God's Children (Virtus) online training - needs renewed 3 years after the original training
- Mandated Reporter Training *only for ministries involving children. Please email to confirm whether or not this is needed for your ministry.
For the safety of our children, adults will not be allowed to participate in any school activity or function, or any parish ministry until ALL clearances are completed.For questions and for instructions on how to complete the steps above
contact Jo Scheller, Safe Environment Coordinator (email preferred)
[email protected]
724-586-7610, press the star button first then my extension: 3305We are so grateful to the many adults who complete clearances each year
THANK YOU!
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