Background Checks Are Key Requirement of
Efforts to Protect Children
 

The national Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, enacted by the U.S. Bishops, requires that all employees in parishes and schools, as well as volunteers who spend 20 or more hours per year with children, must have an up-to-date Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check and a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance. This includes coaches, who are reminded that no practice may be held until these clearances have been received.

Gail Fromm, Diocesan compliance officer, explains why this is so important to the Diocese’s efforts to protect children:

“Almost every week, we read in the newspaper about another adult arrested for child sexual abuse. We watch television news in horror as sexual offenders are caught by undercover police officers in stings. We all shake our heads in disbelief when the perpetrator is someone we know, and we had no idea they were capable of doing anything like this. Yet, I am frequently asked, ‘Why do we need background checks?’

“This is not a surprising reaction, given that many of our employees and volunteers have devoted many years of faithful service to our parishes, schools and other institutions. Naturally, we would assume that our colleagues, friends and neighbors are beyond suspicion. But when it comes to protecting children, we can’t simply assume; we have to be as certain as possible.”

Pennsylvania’s system for background checks is twofold. The first is a State Police Criminal History background check that can be done online in a matter of minutes, and the second is a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance that needs to be mailed in to Harrisburg and will be returned to the applicant’s home address in two weeks time. A copy of each of these clearances needs to be on file in the parish or school binder, or in the employee’s personnel file. The clearances are valid for three years.

Obtaining background clearances, attending a VIRTUS training session and reporting any suspicious behavior are vital to creating safe environments for children, Mrs. Fromm says.

“Instead of asking, ‘Why do we need background checks?’ let’s be sure we never have to answer the devastating question, ‘Why didn’t we get a background check?’” she adds.

For detailed instructions and to download the application forms, please go to www.dioceseofscranton.org and click on Compliance Office in the green bar on the left side of the homepage.

Mrs. Fromm is available to answer questions and provide assistance. She can be contacted at 877-5965.