Archdiocesan Safe Environment 

Requirements & Instructions for Volunteers

This clearance can be obtained immediately online.  

• Please go to the website: PA Access to Criminal History. 
  • A copy of this clearance is to be given to the parish Safe Environment office.
  • This Criminal Record Check must be updated every 5 years. 
  • It is free of charge for volunteers.

The Child Abuse clearance can be submitted electronically.

• Please go to: PA Child Welfare Information Solution. 
• Choose "Create Individual Account."
  • If you already have an account, choose "Individual Login."
• ​​​​​​​Login to your newly created account and select "Create Clearance Application."

• For those living in PA continuously for 10 years:
  • Disclosure statement volunteers.pdf

• For those living in PA for less than 10 years:
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance       
  • Go to: Identogo
  • Choose "Digital Fingerprinting"
  • Enter this Volunteer Service Code: 1KG6ZJ 
  • Fee $22.60

 Either option must be updated every 5 years.

(One-time, 3-hr. session)

This child abuse and prevention class is offered throughout the archdiocese. 

• For a listing of available classes at various parish locations follow this link: Virtus Online Training
  • To register for a class, click "Start Registration" at the top of the page

​After completion:

• Please submit to the Safe Environment office the 5”x8” copy of your “Standards for Ministerial Behavior and Technology Addendum” form received at the training site. 
• Also, please print and submit your attendance certificate found on your online Virtus account.

If you had completed the Virtus Safe Environment Training, “Protecting God’s Children”, prior to July 1, 2011, you must read and complete the following training materials regarding the use of Technology.         

• Technology Addendum

• Tech Addendum Acknowledgement Form

This online training provides an overview of PA Child Protective Services law and Archdiocesan policy regarding the reporting of suspected abuse.

• Please go to: Office for Child and Youth Protection Training Institute to complete the course. 
• Please print and send a copy of the completion certificate to the parish Safe Environment office. 

***Update to Mandated Reporter if taken before Dec. 1, 2014:

• Read this brochure first: 
  • English: Mandated Reporter Update Brochure - in English 
  • Spanish:  Mandated Reporter Update Brochure - in Spanish
• Then sign and return the following form to the parish Safe Environment office:
  • Mandated Reporter Acknowledgement Form

(This may include field trip volunteers, Altar Servers, St. Vincent de Paul Society members and others.)

Complete Volunteer Requirements:

• Clearances (Numbers 1, 2 and 3 above)
• Read this brochure first: 
  • English: Mandated Reporter Update Brochure - in English 
  • Spanish:  Mandated Reporter Update Brochure - in Spanish
• Then sign and return the following form to the parish Safe Environment office:
  • Mandated Reporter Acknowledgement Form

• Two adults with full clearances (numbers 1, 2, & 3 above) must be present in any online meeting. 
• If two adults cannot be present then a parent must be with each child. 
• Please refer to the technology addendum for information.
  • Technology Addendum

The first and second clearances above are required.
Additionally, parents must sign the following affidavit:

• SH Minor Volunteer Form