The Safe Environment Program is a comprehensive child safety and child sexual abuse prevention program, which creates a network of prevention and protection for the children entrusted into the Archdiocese’s care. The various components of the program include:
- Background checks and clearances
- Child sexual abuse prevention training

"Volunteers who have any possible physical or visual contact with children are required to obtain all three clearances; volunteers who have occasional responsibility and direct contact with children must obtain all three clearances and the two mandated reporter requirements; volunteers who have regular, direct responsibility for and contact with children (once a month or more) must obtain all three clearances, the two mandated reporter requirements and the VIRTUS training. as required by Pennsylvania State Law and the Archdiocese Office for Child and Youth Protection."

Based on changes to the Pennsylvania Child Protective Law, all parish volunteers who work directly with children, or who are on the parish campus during the hours when Saint Mary School or PREP is in session , must have ALL THREE of the following clearances. PLEASE NOTE: All documentation must be on file at the parish house before volunteering can begin.

Required Background Checks 1.PA State Police Criminal Record Check --Can be obtained online athttps://epatch.state.pa.us This clearance isFREEto all volunteers beginning July 25, 2015. Clearance is good for 5 years.
2. PA State Child Abuse Clearance This clearance isFREEto all volunteers beginning July 25, 2015 Form can be obtained online throughhttps://www.compass.state.pa.us/CWIS/Public/Home. Clearance is good for 5 years.
3. And one of the following :
If you have lived in PA continuously for 10 years or more:Disclosure Statement Application for Volunteers Must be completed every 5 years.	If you have NOT lived in PA continuously for 10 years or more: Federal Criminal Background Check: Information is available online at :https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index.htm Cost is $25.75 and is good for 5 years.

ARE YOU A MANDATED REPORTER? Based on changes to the Pennsylvania Child Protective Law, all parish volunteers who work directly with children,or who within their volunteer role accepts responsibility for a child at any time - even if just once a year, is considered a Mandated Reporter. All Mandated Reporters must complete the following two itemsin addition tothe three clearances:

Mandated Reporter Online Training Online course which takes approximately 1 hour to complete. Certificate can be printed out upon completion of course and submitted to Parish House Mandated Reporter Acknowledgement Form Read theMandated Reporter Brochurefrom the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Complete the Acknowledgement formand submit to Parish House. VIRTUS: Protecting God's Children class. This is a safe environment requirement for all adults who have direct contact with, or supervision over, the children of our parish. This includes (but is not limited to) all Saint Mary School volunteers, PREP teachers & aides, CYO coaches, youth group leaders and scout leaders. This is a one-time class that does not need to be renewed. To register go to www.virtus.org.