Welcome to ministry! We are here to help you complete the needed steps in getting cleared for service. This policy was created to assure that church personnel and all volunteers are committed to providing a safe environment, thus ensuring 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 who minister in the name of the church, 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:
To comply with the mandates of the church, 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 can fulfill some requirements. Please submit copies by email (preferred method), or to the parish office, ATTN: Jo Scheller. NOTE: To mail copies, please send to Holy Sepulcher Parish, Attn: Jo Scheller, 1304 E. Cruikshank Road, Butler, PA 16002 (this is the mailing address to send clearances to even if you are from Saint Kilian).
- Most clearances are not formatted to work correctly on cell phones or iPads. Please use a regular laptop or desktop PC to complete your clearance applications most easily.
- Allow one week 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 every 3 years. All other items are a one-time requirement.
You will need to CLICK on the "Click here to begin your FBI clearance" link to do so before being taken to the next step.
CHOOSE ONE:
Have you lived in PA for 10+ years (with none of the felonies listed on the waiver)? If yes, you are eligible for signing the fingerprint waiver for volunteers. You can either do this electronically or in paper form. To do this electronically click here Electronic Submission for Fingerprint Waiver or to do this in paper form, print here Paper Submission for Fingerprint Waiver –print this form and sign it, verified by a witness (any adult 18+ can be your witness). Please email, mail, or bring a copy for your files, ATTN: Jo Scheller. If you do not qualify for a waiver, please complete the instructions below.
OR
Have you lived in PA for less than 10 years OR have at least one of the felonies listed on the FBI Fingerprints WAIVER? -you will need to submit fingerprint results. PRE-REGISTRATION is required before getting fingerprinted. The parish covers the fee for fingerprinting.
For questions contact Jo Scheller, Safe Environment Coordinator (email preferred)
[email protected]
724-586-7610, ext. 3305