Safe Environment Overview

The Safe Environment Policy was created to take reasonable measures to assure that Church personnel who have regular contact with minors are committed to providing a safe environment for children and youth, are capable of identifying and preventing abuse of children, and have no personal history of behavior that would be a threat to children.
This policy applies to all Church personnel who have regular contact with minors. Church personnel is defined as all adult persons (those 18 years of age or older), whether clergy, members of consecrated life, or laity, who, as employees or volunteers, act in the name of the Church under the auspices of the Diocese of Pittsburgh or one of its parishes.

More information about Safe Environment in the Diocese of Pittsburgh can be found at www.diopitt.org/childprotection

Safe Environment Requirements

The Diocese of Pittsburgh requires that all volunteers in ministry with children comply with the Safe Environment Policy which includes the following components:

• Diocesan Database and National Criminal Record Check
• PA Criminal Record Check (Completed with step one)
• PA Child Abuse History
• Protecting God's Children Workshop
• Pastoral Code of Conduct
• Child Protective Services Law Acknowledgement
• Mandated Reporter Training - As required by position

 

Diocesan Online Database

All adults who have regular contact with minors are to complete the Diocese of Pittsburgh's database application. Once this application is completed, it will also be used to obtain a Pennsylvania State Police criminal record check. If you do not already have the access code, please contact the parish office.

PA Criminal Record Check

Required for all volunteers, ages 18 and above, who work in ministry with children or teens. Please print, complete, and sign.  Must be renewed every FIVE years.  This is now completed with the Database application above.

PA Child Abuse History Clearance

Required for all volunteers, age 18 and above, who work in ministry with children. Please print, complete, and sign. Must be renewed every FIVE years.   

Click here for the form and instructions.

Please note:

• Name & address must be YOUR name and address
• Social Security Number is not mandatory
• Purpose of Clearance is VOLUNTEERS
• List ALL addresses and household members since 1975 -- the clearance will be delayed if information is missing.  This includes parents, siblings, children, spouse, roommates, etc.

 

Protecting God's Children Workshop

All employees and volunteers must complete one of the following:

• Live Session Training: Click here for a list of upcoming sessions.
• Online class: To access an online class, contact the Office for the Protection of Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults: 412-456-3093.
• Trauma Sensitive Alternative: For persons with a history of sexual abuse, watching the videos may cause a resurgence of memories and strong emotions that some find detrimental to their personal healing.  With that in mind, you can request a written trauma sensitive version by calling or emailing:  Laetitia Bridges, Director of Victim Assistance at 412-456-3093 ext. 3712 or [email protected].  (When requesting this training, you will not be asked about your personal history.)

Background Checks by Ministry

The Diocese of Pittsburgh has mandated the following ministries are required to comply with the Safe Environments Policy.

1. Altar Server–Adult
2. Bereavement Team Coordinator/Volunteer
3. Business Manager/Bookkeeper
4. Cantor
5. Catechetical Administrator
6. Catechist
7. Catechist Aide
8. Catechumenate Director
9. Catholic Committee on Scouting Leader/Volunteer
10. Chaperone
11. Child Care Giver/Babysitter
12. Choir Director–Vocal/Bell
13. Choir Member–Vocal/Bell
14. Deacon–Permanent/Transitional
15. Diocesan Priest Incardinated in the Diocese and on Assignment or Retired within the Diocese
16. Diocesan Priest Not Incardinated in the Diocese, on Assignment or in Residence in the Diocese
17. Diocesan Staff Member whose duties require regular contact with minors
18. Director of Music Ministry
19. Elderly Outreach Coordinator/Volunteer
20. Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
21. Family Life Minister/Volunteer
22. Fund Raising Worker/Volunteer (e.g., bingo, festival, fish fry, etc.) whose duties require regular contact with minors
23. Housekeeper/Cook
24. Janitor/Maintenance Worker
25. Lector/Reader
26. Liturgical Art and Environment Coordinator/Volunteer
27. Organist/Instrumentalist
28. Parish Wedding Coordinator
29. Pastoral Associate/Minister
30. Religious Order Priest on Assignment in the Diocese
31. Respect Life Coordinator/Legislative Advocate
32. Sacristan
33. Secretary–Parish/Religious Education/School/ Youth Ministry
34. Seminarian
35. Trainer–Youth Altar Servers and/or Lectors
36. Usher/Greeter/Minister of Hospitality
37. Youth Minister
38. Youth Ministry Volunteer