St. Barbara Church gratefully benefits from the efforts of our many volunteers. The Diocese of Pittsburgh requires that any person volunteering his or her services at St. Barbara Church and has contact with the youth of the parish must complete steps mandated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in the Charter for the Protections of Children and Young People, by diocesan policy, and by state and federal law. Examples of such volunteer positions requiring completion of these steps include: Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Body and Blood, Lectors, Ushers, Cantors, CCD Catechists and Aides, Youth Group Volunteers and Ladies Guild members. We thank all our volunteers for their cooperation as we seek to not only fulfill these mandates but also be community standard-bearers for the protection of young people.

 

Steps for Volunteers

1. Complete a Diocese of Pittsburgh Application for Employees & Volunteers (PDF). When complete, please return this to the parish office.
   
   
2. Attend a Protecting God’s Children workshop. The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. offers ongoing Protecting God's Children courses at Virtus Online. Information about upcoming workshops in and around Pittsburgh can be obtained from the parish office.
   
   
3. Register with the Safe Environment Database. The Diocese of Pittsburgh utilizes a centralized Safe Environment Database to ensure that the Church, locally and nationally, fulfills all requirements. The database is vital in sustaining a safe environment for our children.
   
   1) Read the Instruction Card for the Safe Environment Database.
   
   2) Visit the Safe Environment Database.
   
   3) Create your user name and password.
   
   4) Fill out and complete the database registration. Once completed, the diocese will automatically perform a Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check (PDF).
   
   
4. Receive, complete, and return a Consent/Release of Information Authorization Form for the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (PDF) and a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (PDF). St. Barbara Church will provide you with hardcopies with your approved Criminal Record Check. Once your Release of Information and Child Abuse History Clearance are approved and completed, please mail these to the parish office.
   
   
5. Read and sign the Code of Pastoral Conduct (PDF). Once signed, return this to the parish office.
   
   
6. (For CCD Teachers, Aides & Volunteers) Read and sign the Acknowledgement of Cardinal's Clause (PDF). Once signed, return this to the parish office.
   

For assistance or further information, please contact the parish office.

 

Additional Safe Environment Resources

Department for the Protection of Children and Young People
2900 Noblestown Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15205-4227
412-456-5633

Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline
1-888-808-1235

PA Child Abuse Protection Services
1-800-932-0313

Policy: Safe Environments for Children (PDF)

Reporting of Child Abuse and The Child Protective Services Law of Pennsylvania (PDF)