Resurrection Parish is committed to providing a Safe Environment for our children.  The Diocese of Pittsburgh requires all parish volunteers and employees over the age of 18 to complete the Safe Environment compliance process for the protection of children and youth in our parish. Thank you for taking the time to comply with these policies.

Following are requirements. (Note: Mandated Reporter Training is only necessary for employees and volunteers in direct contact with children.)

1.  Register on the Diocesan Database  (Creating your database record will take about 20 minutes.  The following info will help you fill out the fields.)

1. Select your role from the list provided. Next select ‘1. Safe Environment Database’ to register on the Diocesan Database. (Select ‘click here‘ for first time users.)
2. You will be presented with a ‘New User Registration’ page.  Complete each field of the online application; create a user ID and password. PLEASE keep them someplace as you will need them to access in the future.
3. The diocesan ACCESS code word is: PROTECT
4. When selecting which parish or program, please scroll down to ‘Pittsburgh’ and find Resurrection Parish.
5. Once you’ve completed all fields, click ‘Submit Registration.’ It will THANK YOU for your submission.
6. Next, search your newly created record by typing in your last name. When the blue box record appears, click the word ‘Edit’ to complete the application questionnaires. Your application will not be finished until each of the 11 listed forms is complete and will be indicated by a green check mark. In the ‘Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Questionnaire,’ when answering the question ‘What Role do you fill…’ please choose ‘Parish Volunteer’ or whichever one best describes your volunteer/employment.
7. Once each form is completed, your PA Criminal Record Check will be automatically generated by the Diocese.
8. Code of Pastoral Conduct (CPC) - Applicants are required to acknowledge they’ve read the Code of Pastoral Conduct, found as a link on the database. Log in as described above, and select ‘Edit’ in your blue box record. Click on ‘Document Review’ in the list of forms; click the link Code of Pastoral Conduct (CPC) to access the booklet. Verify that you’ve read it by checking the appropriate box.
9. Child Protective Services Law of Pennsylvania (CPSL) - Applicants are also required to acknowledge they’ve read the Child Protective Services Law. This is accessible in the same way as the CPC above. Once done reading, check that box, and then at the bottom of the form, check the signature box.

2.  Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (DPW-ABUSE)

Access this from the Safe Environment page at www.diopitt.org. Select your category, then click ‘2b. Complete online Application.’ This takes you to the PA Child Welfare Portal. Select “Create Individual Account” and proceed through the clearance application process. Once you complete this application, the State will run the background check and email you the results. Please forward the results to slevitt@resurrectionpgh.org or drop off at the parish office. This clearance must be renewed every five years. There is no cost to a volunteer.  Employee cost is $13.00 and reimbursed upon submission of receipt.

3.  Fingerprinting Waiver (WAIVER/FBI-PRINT)

From www.diopitt.org/compliance, select ‘3a. Yes’ or ‘3b. No’ to ‘Have you lived in Pennsylvania 10+ years?’ If yes, you are exempt from fingerprinting. Please read the waiver, print, and sign, and return it to the Parish Office. If you have not lived in Pennsylvania for the last 10 years, or if you are a parish employee, you will need to be fingerprinted. Please contact Susie at slevitt@resurrectionpgh.org for more information about this.

4.  Protecting God’s Children (PGC)

You are required to complete a short course entitled Protecting God’s Children, online or in a live class setting. To register for the course (online or at a physical site):

1. Visit the diocesan website at www.diopitt.org/compliance.
2. Select ‘4. Protecting God’s Children,’ then ‘First-Time Registrant’ button. Click ‘Begin the registration process.’
3. Select ‘Pittsburgh, PA (Diocese)’ from the dropdown.
4. Create a username and password. Make sure you write these down, since you may need to login again.
5. Provide the requested contact information.
6. Select Resurrection Parish from the dropdown, then click ‘Select.’
7. Select ‘No’ unless you volunteer at another parish. Then click ‘Continue.’
8. Select the ministry/ministries you participate in.
9. Click any roles that apply, add your ministry title, then click ‘Continue.’
10. Answer the three yes/no questions, then click ‘Continue.’
11. Answer ‘No’ to the question: Have you already attended a Protecting God’s Children session?
12. You will see a list of the upcoming sessions, including an online session. Choose the session you would like by clicking on the bubble to the left of the session. The online session option is at the bottom of the screen.
13. You will get a popup asking you, “Are you sure this is the session you wish to attend?” Click ‘OK.’
14. If you are taking a session at a physical location, you have successfully registered! Attend the session to receive your certificate and bring that certificate to the parish office.
15. If you are taking the online session, click the ‘Go to VIRTUS Online’ button on the bottom of the screen.
16. Login on the left using the username and password you created.
17. Click on the ‘Training’ tab near the top of the screen to access the online module.

If you take the online session, make sure to print your certificate once you have completed the session, and bring it to the parish office or email it to: slevitt@resurrectionpgh.org.

Mandated Reporter Training (MRT) - Complete only if your role involves direct contact with children. This is a series of videos created by the University of Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center. To access this course:

1. Visit the diocesan website at www.diopitt.org/parish-volunteers.
2. Scroll Down to #5 - Mandated Reporter Training
3.  IMPORTANT: First review the list in Appendix D (#1) to see if this is required for your role. If you are uncertain, please call Susie Levitt to find out. Then go to ‘2. On-line Class or Live Class’ and check for live classes near you. OR, take the class on-line.
4. Write down your username and password, then click on ‘Click here to log in.’
5. Type your username and password into the box on the left, then click ‘Submit.’
6. Click on the first course under ‘Your Courses.’
7. When you are near the end of the course, you will be asked ‘Are you a Mandated Reporter or a Permissive Reporter?’ Choose ‘Mandated Reporter’ even if you are legally a Permissive Reporter. According to diocesan policy, anyone who takes this training must do this portion of the course.
8. When you have finished the training, you will receive a confirmation certificate...   

Thank you so much for taking the time to get these clearances as a volunteer or employee here at Resurrection parish. By completing these steps you help us to be in compliance with diocesan requirements.

If you have any questions about clearances, please do not hesitate to contact:

Susie Levitt, Safe Environment Coordinator
412-833-0031 x236
slevitt@resurrectionpgh.org

If you have any questions about the Diocesan Safe Environment Policy, please contact:

Phyllis Haney, Director
Office for the Protection of Children and Young People
412-456-5633
phaney@diopitt.org