Archdiocese of Philadelphia Mandatory Technical Addendum

To Protect the Faithful in the Future
 
We at Visitation BVM School put our children's safety first.  In accordance with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia requirements, all volunteers must have current clearances before they can work with our children.  The Archdiocesan requirements mandate all volunteers submit to Police Records and Child Abuse Clearance checks every five years.  In addition, all our volunteers must attend the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries Seminar (a.k.a. „Virtus Training‟) and submit proof of attendance.  The only exception to this is a grace period of 3 months for adult family members who are new to the Visitation BVM community.   
 
Procedures for Volunteers:
 
1. Print out and complete the Criminal Records Check, the Child Abuse History Clearance, and the Child Abuse Records Consent forms (see links below to access).  Please keep a copy of all 3 forms for your records.
a. For Criminal Record Check – Please complete your personal information (name, address, maiden name, social security number, date of birth, sex and race).   
b. For Child Abuse History Clearance – Please complete your personal information and check “School” for “Purpose for Clearance.”  Note:  This is a two-page form.
c. For Consent/Release of Information Form – Please fill in your name in the two spots indicated, sign and date the form.  
 
2. Send all three completed forms to “Safe Environment Clearances, Visitation BVM School, c/o Main  Office, 190 N. Trooper Road, Norristown, PA 19403.”  These completed documents may also be dropped off at the Visitation BVM Rectory.
 
3. The cost of clearances is paid for by Visitation BVM Church.   
 
4. Because you have submitted the Consent/Release of Information form, the Child Abuse Clearance Certificate (a yellow sheet) will be mailed directly to Visitation BVM.  If you would like a copy of the certificate, please contact Visitation BVM.
 
5. Sign up for and attend the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries Seminar (Virtus Training) at www.virtus.org .   You will be asked to sign a proof of attendance form.  The parish copy of the form must be sent to Visitation BVM.  For more information on this training see below or the Virtus website . This training is offered at sites throughout the Archdiocese and must be completed within 3 months of signing up as a volunteer at Visitation BVM.
 
6. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of the parish coordinators for Safe Environment Clearances: Bari Harvey at 610-539-1870 or Barbara Yankowich at 610-222-8024.
 
7. Compliance with the Safe Environment Requirements is reviewed throughout the year.  If a volunteer‟s clearances are incomplete or out of date, that volunteer will be notified and will have a small window of time to correct the omission.  If the clearances are not complete by the deadline, that volunteer will not be permitted to work with our school children.

Specific Details:
 
Background Checks:   Required for those entrusted with the care and safety of children. All priests and deacons, as well as parish staff and volunteers (over the age of 18) who have regular contact with children, are required to submit and obtain the following background checks:   Click on the form name to download and print a copy.
 
1. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check:

 PA_Request_For_Criminal_Record_Check Form
2. Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance: PA ChildAbuse Clearance Form  
3. Consent/Release of Information:   PA Release of Information Form   

CLICK HERE to download any or all of the above forms.
 
Please note the process for volunteers: The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare requires that a copy of the results of your PA State Police Criminal Record Check be attached to your application for the Child Abuse History Clearance. In addition to the two Pennsylvania background checks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Clearance is required if:  
 
· you do not live in Pennsylvania  
· you currently live in Pennsylvania, but have lived somewhere else during the past two years  

Contact the Office for Child and Youth Protection (215-587-2466) to obtain the FBI fingerprint card and learn where to submit it to be processed.  
 
Training:  Education and awareness are key to preventing the sexual abuse of children. Protecting God’s Children - for Adults - All priest and deacons, as well as parish staff and volunteers who have regular contact with children, must attend Safe Environment training (the “Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries Seminar”). This training provides those involved in ministry and service to children with a greater understanding of their role as adults in our Church to be protectors of children, models of appropriate behavior and relationships, and advocates for those who are most vulnerable.  
 
To register to attend one of these sessions, click here or visit the Virtus website at www.virtus.org . You may attend a session at any Archdiocesan location.  The cost of the training is free to the attendee.  At this time, you need only attend this session once.
 
VISITATION BVM - CYO