Compliance With Charter to Protect Children
 

Gail Fromm, Diocesan compliance officer, reminds all parishes, schools and institutions about their responsibilities regarding the U.S. Bishops’ national Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, specifically the requirement that all employees in parishes and schools, as well as volunteers who spend 20 or more hours per year with children, must have a 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.

Mrs. Fromm said the Pennsylvania clearances are valid for three years, so some individuals who previously received clearances may need to be updated. Also, applications for the clearances are not sufficient for compliance – the actual clearance documents must be in the parish or school binder.

“The Diocese has made this a priority,” Mrs. Fromm said. “We need to stay in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Our commitment is that no one, even if they are well known, will have access to our children without the required state clearances. I thank everyone in advance for their full cooperation in this very important matter, and for all they are doing to keep our children safe.”

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.