Volunteer Requirements

• Safe Environment Policy for Parish Volunteers: 
  
  Any volunteer at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish who has regular contact (at least one time per week) with children must have all up-to-date clearances and training certificates on file before volunteering. In order to comply with the applicable Commonwealth of Pennsylvania laws and Archdiocesan policies, there are absolutely no exceptions to this program and all volunteers must remain in full compliance at all times.  
  
  Archdiocesan policy requires that volunteers who may have any possible contact with children must complete the background checks and clearances included on this web page. Review the column to the right for links to complete your clearances. Because we are committed to fostering the safest environment for the youth entrusted to our care, our Parish policy is that there is no “grace period” whatsoever for volunteers.
  
  

  Please return all completed clearances and/or certificates to one of the contacts below. They may also be contacted with questions about the clearances and trainings.
    School Staff and Volunteers
     Donna McFadden - 215-412-7101, ext. 502
    PREP, Youth Ministry, and CYO
     Mrs. Lisa Bull - 215-412-7101, ext. 508
    Parish, Music, Scouts & Misc.
    Mary Anne Cortez - 215-362-7400, ext. 301

  
  

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  Safe Environment Training Sessions: 
  
  Volunteers who have regular contact with children (at least one time per week) are required to complete parts one and two of the Safe Environment training within 90 days of beginning their volunteer work.

  
  Part I: Protecting God's Children*, (instructor lead) is offered regularly at sites throughout the Archdiocese. The training provides basic facts about child sexual abuse and adults’ roles in prevention.
    Register here
  Part II: Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse*, (online) is available online at our Training Institute in English and Spanish. This training provides an overview of Archdiocesan reporting procedures for suspected child abuse and Pennsylvania Child Welfare Laws. The training should take you approximately one hour to complete.
    Register here
  * Volunteer Minors under age 18 are NOT required to attend training.
  
  

  PLEASE NOTE: If you have already attended classroom or online training at a different location or have lost/misplaced your documents, please reach out to ocyp@archphila.org to request copies of your training certificates and/or your SMB Signature page. Requested documents will be sent to your place of service, and will not be sent directly to the individual making the request.

• Required Volunteer Clearances:

  ALL clearances must be renewed every 60-months (5-years).

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  Volunteers Living in PA LESS than 10 years:
  FBI Code for Volunteers: 1KG6ZJ
  FBI Fingerprints
  OR
  Volunteers Living in PA Continuously for 10+ years:
  PA Disclosure 

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  All volunteers must complete the following:
  PA State Police(Free for volunteers, does not work w/Apple)
  AND
  PA CHILD ABUSE (Free for volunteers)
  
• Pennsylvania’s New Child Protective Services Law
  
  Revised Pennsylvania law concerning the definition and requirements of a Mandated Reporter of Child Abuse went into effect on December 31, 2014. The law has been expanded to require volunteers and employees who have direct contact with children to report suspected abuse. The new definition of a Mandated Reporter applies to all adults over 18 who come into direct contact with children, even if it is only a one time occasion such as chaperoning a dance or trip.
  
  Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
  
  If a child is in imminent danger, call 911 immediately!

  • Contact ChildLine if you have a suspicion that a child is being neglected or abused sexually, physically, or mentally
    • By Phone at 1-800-932-0313 or Online
  • Complete and file a CY-47 Form (Report of Suspected Child Abuse Form) with the County Children and Youth Services where the alleged abuse occurred within 48 hours of calling ChildLine
    • Only required for reports made by phone
    • Online Reporting Option above includes submission of this form
  • Notify your Head of Institution (HOI)