Safe Environment Policy

The purpose of the Safe Environment Program of the Diocese of Pittsburgh is to take reasonable measures to assure that adults who have contact with minors (those under 18) 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.

Teachers, coaches and assistants, homeroom parents, chaperones, and adults who volunteer at St. Therese School and Parish are required to follow the steps outlined below to receive volunteer clearances.  We realize it takes time and attention on your part to complete the process; please realize the goal is solely to protect your children.  Adults (18 or older) volunteering with children at St. Therese School must be compliant in the requirements of the Safe Environment Policy listed below.
 
Step 1:  Register on the Pittsburgh Diocesan Safe Environment Database:  www.diopitt.org. To register click on Child Protection at the top of the Home Page.   Scroll down to and click Compliance.  Click on School Volunteer.  Click on #1 Safe Environment Database/PA State Police Clearance/ Code of Pastoral Conduct/Child Protective Service Law.  On the next screen first time users “click here”.  The access code is the word “protect”.  Be sure to complete all 10 steps and submit the database.  Your State Police Clearance will be automatically generated.  You will then be instructed to read the Code of Pastoral Conduct and the Child Protective Service Training Law and electronically sign them.  These three items will be submitted to your Safe Environment Coordinator at the school.
 
Step 2:  The next step is obtaining your Child Abuse Clearance.  Follow the directions by clicking on a. (a paper application & release form) or b. online application.
 
Step 3:  FBI Clearance or Waiver  If you have lived in Pennsylvania10+ years and are volunteering you need to sign the waiver and do not need fingerprinted.  Click on #1. If you have lived in Pennsylvania less than 10 years you will need to be fingerprinted and use the code given.  Click on #2. Be sure to choose volunteer.  (You must pay for the fingerprinting.)
 
Step 4:  To obtain your Protecting God’s Children Certificate you can choose the On-line Class or a Live Class.
 
Step 5: The final step is to complete the Mandated Reporter Training and obtain the certificate.  This training can be done through the On-line Class or attend a Live Class.
 
All 5 steps must be completed within 3 months of submission of your application or it will be archived.  St. Therese School must have copies of all certificates in your confidential file in order for you to be with children for any reason.
 
Thank you for all you do to keep our children and vulnerable adults safe here at St. Therese!